Things to Do During Nigeria's Rainy Season

Mud huts along the Niger River
Mud huts along the Niger River | © Jialiang Gao / WikiCommons
Anne Adams

Rainfall takes centre stage at certain times of year in Nigeria, passing through from the south to the east and often times getting to the northern parts in late May and June. Though the rain continues in most parts of the country until October and November, there’s still plenty to do in the rainy season – here’s our pick of the best experiences around.

1. Take a dip in the Wikki Warm Springs

Swimming Pool

Yankari
© Peter Garland / WikiCommons

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.

2. Go kayaking in the city

Swimming Pool

2942995600_4688ee16bb_z
© Arnold de Leon / Flickr

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.

3. Check out Gurara Waterfalls

Natural Feature

800px-Gurara_Falls_2
© Ahmeddizzy / WikiCommons

‘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.

5. Take in Yankari National Park

Park

Male Lion on the plains of the Masi Mara
Gillian Lloyd / Alamy Stock Photo

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.

6. Admire the sunset at the Atican Beach Resort

Resort

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.

7. Experience ice rain In Jos

Homestay

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.

8. Go to the movies

Cinema

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.

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