Calabar
Calabar is considered by many to be the tourism capital of Nigeria. Located in South Eastern Nigeria, 83 kms up the Cross River in the Niger delta, Calabar is almost completely isolated by rivers. The Calabar seaport is well equipped to accommodate import and export trade. Settled in the early 17th century, the town became a center for trade between European traders on the coast and natives further inland. European goods were bartered for with palm oil, cassava, fish and bananas. Calabar was a major depot for the slave trade with more slaves leaving from this port than any other.
The many tourist attractions in the region include the popular Obudu Cattle Ranch. The ranch's altitude at over 1,500m above sea level provides a temperate climate to ensure green vegetation and grazing of cattle year round. Visitors can enjoy the natural swimming pool and waterfall, gorilla camp, bird watching and horse riding. Accommodation and sporting facilities are available.
At the nearby Drill Monkey Rehabilitation Centre, visitors can witness the fascinating work being done to rescue and rehabilitate the endangered Drill monkey from smugglers hoping to export these animals on the black market. The monkeys are later released into the wild at Drill Ranch in the Afi Mountains on the Nigeria/Cameroon border.
Each year, thousands of visitors are attracted to the Cross River Christmas Festival. The Festival includes international and local artists, the Calabar Carnival, boat regatta, fashion shows, Christmas village and traditional dance displays.
The Tinapa super-oasis is well on the way to completion and will undoubtedly be West Africa's premier business, retail and leisure complex
