The Best Day Trips From Abuja Nigeria

Though Nigeria’s capital has no end of delights to discover, heading out of the city to explore the surrounding areas can also reap dividends. Whether you’re after history, nature, or culture, we’ve got you covered – here’s our pick of the best day trips outside of Abuja.

1. Kajuru Castle

Hotel

This medieval-style castle in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by breathtaking views, is definitely worth the three-hour trip to Kaduna State. Visitors are welcomed by a tour guide who calls himself the ‘ghost of the castle’ at the beautiful Kajuru Castle – complete with turrets, an armory and a dungeon, the castle appears to have been plucked right out of Scotland and planted right in the middle of a picturesque village a few minutes’ drive from Kaduna. The castle offers tours and has a pool and spa – it’s also a great place for a small party, as it offers twelve rooms which must be booked prior to visits.

2. Gurara Waterfalls

Natural Feature

‘Nature in its purest form’ is the ideal way to describe the Gurara Waterfalls in Niger State, which stand approximately 30 meters (98 feet) in height. The rainy season between May to September makes for the best time to visit the falls, because of the intensified flow and clear crystal waters. Located less than two hours from Abuja, those who visit this spot will be enchanted by the beautiful setting, which is home to different species of birds, and makes for an ideal place to enjoy a picnic overlooking the waters.

3. Usuma Dam

Natural Feature

This place is heavenly for nature lovers – far from the hustle and bustle of the everyday life of the city, a quiet kind of beautiful magic happens here. The man-made Usuma Dam is around a 40-minute drive from the capital, and is located towards the north west of Abuja. It offers hiking trails amid an enjoyable and peaceful scenery, as well as the opportunity to take a canoe ride across the waters – not to mention space for picnics and barbecues. It’s the perfect family and friends getaway spot.

5. The Ancient Nok Settlement

Archaeological site

The Nok Settlement is located approximately three hours from Abuja in Jaba Local government, in the southern part of Kaduna State, up in northern Nigeria. It is a fascinating testament to the ingenious nature and history of the Nok people, whose antiquities adorn great museums and galleries across the globe. From the rock-hewn shelters to the Nok terracotta artefacts on display, taking in everything at this village settlement makes for a compelling experience.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.