Top 10 Things to do in Calabar

“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions” – Oliver Wendell Holmes

Weeks after my visit to Calabar, I had a lot of my friends asking me if that’s all Calabar had to offer. Although I wasn’t able to explore Calabar to the fullest I made sure to have some chats with the locals which enabled me get more information about things to do on my next visit to calabar

About Calabar

When I think about tourism in Nigeria the first city that comes to mind is the beautiful city of “Calabar”, set beautifully on a hilltop, and often reffered to as Canaan City, Calabar is one of the most beautiful cities in Nigeria and doubles as one of the largest tourist city in West Africa.

Calabar which was originally called Akwa Akpa, from the Efik language  is characterized by serenity, clean environment, proper landscaping, good security and most importantly a good number of tourist attractions.

The locals claim the word ‘Calabar’ which was given by a Portuguese explorer, ‘Diogo Cao’ is an anagram for ‘Come and Live and Be at Rest’ and with the hospitable culture of the locals, the city lives up to its name, Come and Live and Be at Rest’.

Top 10 things to do and places to see in Calabar

Visiting Calabar for the first time can be a bit overwhelming. Finally, you are able to explore the much talked about Calabar lifestyle but where do you begin? So, here is list of things you can do in Calabar to start your exploration.

1. Enjoy the Calabar Carnival: This popular annual street carnival in Africa is one exciting activity you wouldn’t want to miss in Calabar. I was devastated that I couldn’t attend the last time I was in Calabar due to the timing. The Carnival runs from 1st of December – 31st December each year, with a number of events ranging from traditional festivals, football matches, music performances, fashion shows and so much more.

2. Take a trip down history lane in the museums: Calabar boast of two museums available for your perusal, the National Museum and the slave Trade museum. A visit to Calabar won’t be complete without learning about history of Nigeria and Calabar in both.

Read: Tracing the footsteps of slaves

3. Explore Resort Centres: There are a good number of resort centres to visit in the city. Tinapa and Marina Ressort are go-to places for getaways, picnics or vacations. You can go watersliding in Tinapa Water Park or visit the Twin Island when in Marina Resort.

4. Pay a Homage to Mary Slessor: Mary Slessor made history when she stopped the killing of twins in Calabar. She spent so many years in Calabar before she died in Okoyong, Calabar in 1915. You can visit the two-storey building which she lived and was built 1889 although recently been beautifully revamped and restored by the local authority. The building is reachable by boat from the waterfront. You could also visit her tomb in Duke Church Calabar.

5.  Checkout the Obong Palace: An historical palace that exhibits the preserved cultural heritage of the Calabar people, their involvement in slave trade and other memorabilia. The palace is an ideal place to learn more about the historical and cultural heritage of the city and the people.

6.  Go chasing Waterfalls: Calabar has its own fair share or waterfalls, which is naturally a tourist delight. Noteworthy is the Kwa Fall and the Agbokim Waterfall.

• Kwa Falls: Kwa Falls is a spectacular waterfall located in a narrow, steep gorge on the waters of the Kwa River which is located in the Oban division of the Cross River National Park about 25 kilometers away from Calabar on a good rural road. The nearby Kwa River Sand Beach was recommended for an afternoon’s peaceful relaxation. 
• Agbokim Waterfalls: Agbokim Waterfalls is located some 15km from town, this waterfall is actually on the Cross River, where it descends in terraces, through the tropical rainforest. I couldn’t see it myself but from the stories I can guess the falling sheet of the water is spectacular.

7. See the Calabar Cenotaph:
Calabar Cenotaph was built in memory of Nigerian War heroes of the two World Wars and the Nigerian Civil War. It is located along Calabar Road, near the Central Bank of Nigeria, Calabar.

8.  Calabar Drill Monkey Ranch: Calabar Drill Ranch is a component of the Afi Drill Ranch which is a refuge for drill monkeys and chimpanzees. L The project is one of the few chances to save the species, whose numbers in the wild are thought to be as few as 3,000. At the Calabar ranch, visitors have a rare opportunity to see these unusual and rare primates in semi-wild enclosures.

9. Visit Obudu Mountain Resort: Obudu is located in the highlands of Cross River State, only 45 miles from the border with Cameroon and it possesses a temperate climate due to its high altitude. Although it’s about 6hrs drive from Calabar it is a must visit if you are in Calabar.

10. Taste the Famous Edikaikong Soup: Unarguably one of the most sought after soup in the country, not only because of its great taste but because as the name translates, Edikaikong simply means vegetable soup. It is one of the most nutritious meal in the country. It’s so popular you can find it most big cities in Nigeria but there’s never a better place to eat Edikaikong soup than in Calabar where it originates from. I can testify that the taste hits differently when you eat it in Calabar.

So there you have it, top 10 things you can do in calabar, don’t forget to experience the Calabar nightlife too (if you can, lol).

I was able to explore just 4 out of the list, which is sad but not to worry, I plan to visit Calabar as soon as I can again. I also hope this article guides you when you are visiting calabar.

Want to join me in my next visit to Calabar? Send a message to me on our Instagram handle @khadeetravels