Nigeria is a culturally diverse country sitting on the Western Coast of Africa. It is one of the most beautiful yet under-explored holiday destinations in Africa. Regardless if you intend to visit, there is something for everyone–from the mountain ranges in the North to the diverse delicacies of the South, Nigeria’s culture is the gift that keeps giving.
This post however is not about the whole of Nigeria, it is about one of the country’s lesser explored towns, Yola.
Yola is located in North East Nigeria is home to a plethora of ethnic groups with estimates putting that number at over 200. The Yola metropolitan area consists of Two small towns, Jimeta and Yola North which is the seat of the Lamido of Adamawa, the most prominent cultural leader in the state.
How to visit Yola
Depending on your holiday plans, Yola is accessible by plane and by road. By plane there are about 3 or 4 airlines that fly from Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city. Max Air, Arik Air, Air Peace and Azman Air are among the airlines that make scheduled passenger flights from Lagos and Abuja to Yola. The median cost of a flight ticket across this route is ₦20,000 for a 55 minutes flight from Abuja to Yola International Airport and ₦30,000 for a flight from Lagos (all dependent on booking times and flight availability).
Airline booking tips: Flights are usually scarce during school resumption and closing times (January, May, August and December) so if you intend to visit during this period, ensure to book well ahead of time.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can travel to Yola by road using one of many road transport services that travel from Abuja to Yola. Adamawa Sunshine is the leading road transport company and the 14-hour journey from the National capital to Yola can cost up to ₦7000 depending on the period of travel. Adamawa Express is an alternative to Adamawa Sunshine although the latter is more trusted than the former, they spot identical branding and you may easily mistake one for the other and get to pay a little extra. Not to worry though, most of the vehicles that ply that route make use of Toyota Sienna minivans or other similar vehicles.
If you’re not an early riser you should reconsider this option though as garages are located in Maraba on the outskirts of Abuja and vehicles depart these garages as early 6am in the morning. However the road trip is worth it as you especially get to enjoy the views of the Northern Nigeria including the plush hills and greenery of Jos and the desert sands of Gombe. It’s really the sight.
Weather in Yola
Yola can be really hot, reaching temperatures as high as 41 degrees celsius on certain afternoons. However, there are a plethora of pool houses to choose from and if you are feeling adventurous you can go boating.
Things to do
Yola is a laid back town, so do not expect the hustle and bustle of Lagos or the wide roads in Abuja. Rather expect some of the most intimate experiences you’ll get to be part of. There are organised mountain climbing activities hosted by locals as well as fishing spaces.
At night, Police roundabout comes alive with the scent of fish and chips emanating from Babs Lounge, the open air bar that serves grilled fish and chips as well as playing host to a daily farmer’s market just by its side. ‘Fire service’ is always buzzing with a wider selection of local cuisine including local game and nationwide staples like goat meat and Chicken. Down the road from Police roundabout, ‘gas meat’ vendors are always setup and if that is not your type of meat, they stock dambu and the regular cut beef.
Where to stay
Hotels in Yola are not very expensive compared to other parts of the country. If you prefer more comfort and hillside views, Madugu Rockview Hotel is the preferred lodging provider for many of the city’s visitors stopping over in Jimeta – one of the towns that make up Yola. However, AUN Hotel located in the cultural capital in Yola North and owned by American University of Nigeria is more popular for its club house that features live football and recreational facilities including a squash courts, tennis courts, gym and much more.
Final thoughts
If you’re looking for a less glamorous place in Nigeria to visit yet enjoy cultural diversity, you should try paying Yola a visit.
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