Things to Do During Nigeria's Rainy Season

Nigeria is blessed with various warm springs, each with its own unique features. The Wikki Warm Springs in Bauchi offers a nice warm dip after a long day out in the rain, and has a constant temperature of 31.1 °C (88 °F) throughout the year.

Kayaking in the heart of Abuja promises a serene and enjoyable experience. The rainy season makes it better because the water rises above the normal level. It is a definitely a fun activity to try out with friends and family.

‘Nature in its purest form’ is the ideal way to describe the Gurara Waterfalls in Niger state, which are 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 their intensified flow and clear-crystal waters. Less than two hours away from the capital city, they offer beautiful scenery and diverse birdlife, and are a great spot to enjoy a family picnic.

There’s no better way to unwind during the cozy rainy season than at the New Afrika Shrine in honor of the legendary afrobeat king — Fela Kuti. The shrine offers live music, good beer and some of the finest Nigerian delicacies.

Yankari National Park is the best spot to see the most diverse array of animals in Nigeria – a delight for any wildlife enthusiast. It has the largest surviving elephant population in the country (estimated at about 100 – 150 elephants), and it also supports the critically endangered West African lion, which is one of the four known populations that still exist. Other animal populations within the park include buffaloes, hippopotamus, roan antelopes, western hartebeest and several monkey species. Visitors can also enjoy a dip in the warm springs, take expeditions into the caves, or visit the park museum which houses historical artefacts. There are also over 350 species of bird found in the park. Of these, 130 are resident, 50 are Palearctic migrants and the rest are Intra-African migrants that move locally within Nigeria. It offers an amazing wildlife-watching experience during the rainy season.

The Atican Beach Resort in Lagos is a pristine ocean side-scenic spot, and is definitely one of the cool places to hang with your loved ones — sunset only gets better with a view from the Caribbean-style layout. You can also enjoy a good evening of barbecue and cook out.

It doesn’t snow in Nigeria like other parts of the world, however the closest thing to snow is the ice cube drops. Jos in Plateau State experiences regular temperature of about 17°C (63°F) during the rainy seasons. Residents are usually seen picking up the cubes after the rain.

Film buffs will be happy to hear that Nigeria‘s many cinemas present the perfect opportunity to hide away from the rain. Whether you want to catch up on the latest international blockbuster movie, or want to take in a Nollywood classic, a rainy day is the perfect excuse.