STOP 2 - Niger

Time for my next stop! NIGER!

Niger officially the Republic of Niger, is a landlocked country in Western Africa, named after the Niger River.

Niger’s natural landscape is what travellers generally seek out, and I too think it’s simply breath taking. Despite being one of West Africa’s largest countries, Niger is among the least populated; moving around is easier here compared with doing so in other highly populated or congested countries in Africa. The country’s population is concentrated around the Niger River, where the country’s capital, Niamey, is located.

The main ethnic groups in Niger are the Hausa, who account for roughly half of the population, and the other group, split between such nomadic tribes as the Fulani and Tuareg, as well as the Djerma-Songahi.

Whether you’re traveling to see the many mosques, the sparkling Niger River, or the various animals, you are bound to find something here that you can’t find anywhere else in Africa.

 My Top 5: What to Do in Niger

1. Boating on the Niger River

The Niger River is known for hippo spotting. Plan a boat ride down this body of water for a day (or even a few days) to take in the animal sights.

2. Dinosaurs in Agadez

This bustling city is known for its numerous dinosaur-tracking expeditions and fossils. The excavation sites are worth exploring, so plan at least one full day to check them out.

3. Grand Mosque

The Grand Mosque of Agadez is not built in a typical Islamic fashion, with tall minarets and domes. This sand-colored triangular tower, built in the 1500s and rebuilt in the 1800s, is one of the iconic sites of Agadez. The single tower, rising above the flat skyline of the city, is a must-see.

4. Markets in Niamey

Spend an afternoon and get lost in the Grande Marché and Petit Marché. Snag some great deals on clothes, jewelry, art, and various unique items.

5. The National Museum of Niger

Given its entrance fee of only $2, you have absolutely no reason not to visit this treasure trove in Niamey. Learn about the ancient culture of Niger; see dinosaur bones that were discovered in Niger and plenty of traditional art. 


SOURCES:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niger

http://www.africa.com/niger/travel

STOP 1: Nigeria

Nigeria! This is where my journey begins! 

It was a very long journey to get here. I have just arrived in my hotel in Lagos after a 13 hour flight. Lagos is  a port city and the most populous city in Nigeria.

I have to say that I am a bit nervous, because of the terrorist threats and the high criminal activities.

It is important to know for tourists who arrive in Lagos, that they need to be well prepared. When arriving at the airport I would advise you to get picked up by someone you know and can arrange safe transport to your hotel. 

The route from the airport to the new parking lot frequented by thieves and robbers. Several sources were also reported abduction attempts by foreigners. Perpetrators were always persons as agents of protocol services or customs imagined.

***

But ofcourse Nigeria has also a lot to offer!

Tourism in Nigeria centers largely on events, due to the country's ample amount of ethnic groups, but also includes rain forests, savannah, waterfalls, and other natural attractions.

Here you can find some of the things I visited that were the most interesting to me:

Lagos Freedom Park

The new Freedom Park is located on the site of the colonial prison where prominent Nigerians had their jail terms during the colonial era. The park, which is now a peaceful place for individual and collective contemplation and interaction is open to public daily.

This prison was used by the British colonial masters to torture, imprison and hang in the gallows those that opposed colonial rule of Nigeria.

Freedom Park is a memorial leisure park dedicated to the preserving the Lagos colonial heritage and history of the Old Board Street prison. Today, freedom park provides venues for events and recreational entertainment.

Mambilla plateau

The Mambilla plateau is a high grassland plateau with an average elevation of about 1,524 metres (5,000 ft) above sea level, making it the highest plateau in Nigeria. The plateau which has an undulating landscape free of insects, also has temperate climate within a tropical region.

As soon as one reaches the top of the mountain, the hot weather witnessed at the foot of the mountain disappears and you will be greeted by fresh and very chilled breeze blowing across the plateau.

Sources

http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeria

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagos

http://tourism.gov.ng/

Here you can find a video with some pictures, to give you an idea of the life and nature in Nigeria: