Nigeria/3 Bradt

by Williams, Lizzie

• ISBN13: 9781841623979
• ISBN10: 1841623970
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2013-01-01
• Publisher: Bradt Travel Guides

Summary

For the adventurous traveler, Nigeria offers the opportunity to see the country in its raw and naked state. The chaos of Lagos often overshadows the rich offerings found elsewhere in Nigeria. Explore further and travelers can bathe in the Wikki Warm Springs at Yankari National Park; trek through Oshogbo Sacred Forest or visit one of the Emir's elaborately decorated palaces. The only dedicated English-language travel guide to Nigeria on the market, this edition is thoroughly updated with an expanded section on Lagos.

Author Biography

Based in Cape Town, Lizzie Williams has travelled the length and breadth of Africa as a tour leader on overland trucks.  Mark Shenley is a well-traveled professional photographer whose work regularly appears in publications both in the UK and around the world.  

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements        Introduction   Part One: General Information     Chapter 1: Background Information - Facts and figures, History, Religion, Economy, The environment, Culture Chapter 2: Planning and Preparation - When to go, Highlights, Red tape, Getting there, What to take Chapter 3: In Nigeria - Information, Public holidays, Money, Getting around, Sleeping, eating and drinking, Shopping and bargaining, Women travelers, Gay travelers, Cultural etiquette, Public toilets, Media and communications Chapter 4: Health and Safety - Health, Safety   Part Two: The Guide       Chapter 5: Lagos - Brief history, Getting there and away, Orientation, Getting around, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Nightlife, Changing money, Shopping, Safety, Listings, What to see and do, The islands, Lekki Peninsula, Tarkwa Bay, The mainland, Around Lagos State Chapter 6: Southwestern Nigeria - Abeokuta, Ibadan, Ife, Oshogbo, Oyo, Old Oyo National Park, North from Oyo, Benin City, Okomu National Park Chapter 7: Southeastern Nigeria  - Onitsha and Asaba, Enugu, Umuahia, Aba, Port Harcourt, Bonny and Brass Islands, Warri, Calabar, Around Calabar, Kwa Falls, Cross River National Park, Rhoko Forest, Afi Drill Ranch, Obudu Cattle Ranch, Ikom Chapter 8: Central Nigeria  - Abuja, Lokoja, Makurdi, Jos, West of Abuja, New Bussa, Lake Kainji National Park Chapter 9: East and Northeast Nigeria - Bauchi, Yankari National Park, Gombe, Yola and Jimeta, Gashaka-Gumpti National Park, Maiduguri, Around Maiduguri, Sukur Chapter 10: Northern Nigeria - Kaduna, Kamuka National Park, Zaria, Kano, Katsina, Gusau, Sokoto  Appendices. Index.

Excerpts

‘Motor parks are frantic places where everyone wants to sell you something. The hawkers do their rounds with loaves of bread, peanuts, sticks of soya, soft drinks, pure water, various other street food, boxes of imitation watches, underwear and handkerchiefs (a very useful item in a sweaty bus). Other hawkers offer services such as the shoe doctor or mobile tailor (amazingly these men walk around with old black Singer sewing machines on their heads), and – my absolute favorite – International Finger Cutter men. These are manicurists who wander around motor parks clacking their scissors and administering what look like rather harsh manicures and pedicures to ay man who desires to have his nails buffed (presumably women conduct this grooming procedure at home).  Then there are the beggars – the blind, crippled and maimed – who throw their hands through the minibus windows and rattle their enamel plates.’