Calabar.
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Overview

Calabar is the capital city of Cross River State in South South Nigeria. It is a charming and quite peaceful city. Attractions include the Slave Museum, Calabar Free Trade Zone, Tinapa Business and Tourist Resort, Cultural and Civic Centre, Calabar Port and university campuses.

Understand

Calabar is one of the oldest trading centers in Nigeria. The city is set on a natural hill overlooking the Calabar River. Calabar had been inhabited by the Efik speaking people since at least the 17th century and became a center for slave trade at the dawn of the trade.

After the abolition of the trans-Atlantic slave trade in the 19th century, the city became a major port for palm oil trade and other export and import commodities to and from the hinterlands. Calabar's economy unlike other neighbouring city-states in the Niger-Delta area for most of the 19th century was based on palm plantations, akin to those in the Americas.

With the coming of colonialism, between the late 19th and early 20th centuries it became one of the biggest colonial administrative centers and capital of the Niger Coast Protectorate, later called the Southern Nigeria Protectorate (1900-1914).

Calabar is now the capital of Cross River State of Nigeria. The city is a major center of tourism in Nigeria. The Calabar Carnival is the largest street cultural festival in Africa. The carnival holds in December annually and attracts thousands of visitors and guests from all parts of the world. In a nearby municipality called Bakassi, there was a territorial dispute between Nigeria and Cameroon in 1981 based on colonial appropriations that almost caused the two countries to go to war. But Bakassi was eventually and reluctantly handed over by Nigeria to Cameroon in the end.

Like other major cities in Nigeria, power supply could be a major problem. The Federal Government of Nigeria is developing a major plant near the city to boost domestic and industrial power supply. Water is easily available in the city and it is of very good quality.

The city is a few hours drive to the Obudu Mountain Resort which had hosted many Presidential Retreats and conferences in the past. There is an airport which has connecting flights to other major cities in Nigeria. Climate Calabar has a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen: Am) according to Köppen's climatic classification, with a long wet season lasting nine months and a brief dry season lasting three months. In the metropolis, the harmattan, which has a major impact on the weather in West Africa, is much less noticeable. The average high temperature is often between 25 and 28 degrees Celsius, and temperatures are generally consistent throughout the year. Additionally, since overnight temperatures are usually only a few degrees lower than daytime highs, there is minimal difference between midday and nighttime temperatures. Every year, Calabar receives somewhat more than 3,000 millimeters (120 in) of precipitation.

Get in

Calabar is about 1 hour from the city of Lagos by plane. Calabar is about 25 minutes from Port Harcourt and has an International Airport.

By boat There is also a regular boat service from various parts of Cameroon's coastline which will transport vehicles and people. You can get Cameroonian visas on the boat which can save you a lot of time. However, you can use Calabar as a base before transferring into Cameroon by road slightly further north (through Ikom).

By bus There are several car transportation services into Calabar from all parts of Nigeria including the major cities of Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Yola. They include ABC Transport, the Young Shall Grow, Elim Tours, AKTC, Peacemass, Transit favor, and Nyanya transport company.

Get around

The local authorities have made a great effort to make the streets safe by enlarging them, removing potholes, and adding stripes between lanes. Local taxis are not advisable as the cars are very old and quite often the drivers are not particularly experienced. As long as you are careful Calabar is quite safe.

See

There is a lot of colonial architecture in the older parts of Calabar that are around Henshaw Town, Duke Town and the waterfront areas.

Duke Town Hall. The present site of the Magistrate Court was before colonialism, more or less a town hall which was used also as an Ekpe lodge and the “Itiat Ekpe” there represents it. The Itiat Ekpe dates back to the days of Ekpenyong Offiong Okoho who was Eyamba (III) who was the first from the Efiom Ekpo lineage to attain this exorable position in Ekpe Efik Iboku. Before the establishment of colonial administration, the King’s court arbitrated on all matters sometimes in conjunction with Ekpe Fraternity. With the establishment of Bright of Benin and Bight of Biafra, Administration and the appointment of Sir John Beecroft her first British Consul the Court of Equity was established by him in 1849. The court handled mainly disputes arising from business transactions as well as social interaction matters between the British subjects and the host communities. Kings and chiefs of Old Calabar felt they were gradually losing their authority, income and control to the fast expanding colonial influence. The resulting conflict of interest gave rise to several protests by the host communities. To resolve the conflicts, the British Administration adopted the ‘indirect rule’ system to appease the kings and chiefs, tactfully, slowly and surely wrestling power from the host communities.

Drill Monkey Rehab Centre. It was set up by two overlanders from the USA (Peter Jenkins and Liza Gadsby). They were biologists back home but who were persuaded by the Nigerian Government to stay in Nigeria and look after the endangered Drill Monkeys which were traditionally hunted and eaten in the Afi Mountain range that borders Cameroon. The couple now have staff in Calabar where they care for rescued monkeys, e.g. those they capture from people trying to smuggle and export them and they also then return them to the wild at the Drill Ranch in Afi Mountains which is not too far from Calabar. You need a decent vehicle and map to get you to the ranch. The Afi Mountain Ranch (near Katabang) has cabins for guest accommodation and a forest canopy walkway (25 m high!) for people to experience the environment more closely. You are able to visit both after prior arrangement with the team. Go, meet Mickey the chimp and experience having him sit in your lap and fiddle with your hair.

Duke Town church. Built in 1846, one of the oldest churches in Nigeria. It was established by the Presbyterian church missionaries. Near Duke Town Secondary School past the church is a cemetery where the tomb of Mary Slessor, a missionary from Dundee, Scotland who was very influential in this part of Nigeria is located. Here there are stunning views over the town and river. But watch out for your safety in this neighborhood.

Hope Waddel Training Institution. This school was dedicated in the memory of Rev. H. Mastron Waddell, the leader of the Mission team that first came to Old Calabar in 1846. The first building erected in this school was this unique two-storey prefabricated structure, built in 1894. This building is now being proposed to house a visitor’s centre and Hall of Fame for past students of this prestigious institution (undergoing refurbishment).

The Marina Resort. One of the most fascinating tourist destinations in Calabar. The resort is home to buildings dating back to the colonial era, and modern facilities like the slave museum, speed boat ride (may go to Twins Island), go cart at the car park area, the carousel horse ride, film/movie theatre (the only one in Calabar, but not very great), and night clubs. The resort affords visitors a rare view of the beautiful Calabar River in a relaxed atmosphere at the tortuga island bar and pier bar. The resort has on sight tour guides to make your stay memorable.

National Museum. The former residence of the colonial governor. The building was designed and built in Glasgow and shipped over in pieces. The museum concentrates on the history of Calabar, the region and slavery. It has a larger quantity of original documents relating to Nigeria. Since it is not heavily frequented by tourists you can easily get a guided tour from one of the staff. Interested persons could spend 3 hours there and barely touch the surface of the material. There are a lot of artifacts relating to the production of palm oil in the back which are fascinating too.

Slave History Museum. Located in a former slave-trading warehouse. Includes numerous artifacts as well as information about the abolition movement.

Do

Tinapa Resort. Tinapa Resort was to be Nigeria's big tourist destination similar to Universal studios complete with a monorail and venue for international standard wholesale emporiums, integrated shopping complexes and business tourism/entertainment facilities. But it is dilapidated.

Calabar Carnival, known as "Africa's Biggest Street Party" held every year through the month of December and attracts thousands within and beyond Nigeria. The festival includes music performances from both local and international artists, a boat regatta, fashion shows, Christmas Village, traditional dances and the annual Ekpe Festival.

Buy

The old town is remarkable for its great variety of small shops where you can get just about anything (but expect to bargain). There are two great markets, Watt Market and Marian Market. Materials in Calabar are second to none. Beautiful waxes from Ghana, stunning materials from all over Africa can be found in Calabar. There are many very professional tailors who can make wonderful clothing from linens, etc. Fresh live fish direct from the sea are available.

Watt Market. Watt market is large, bustling, vibrant and full of beautiful materials. One can buy anything from live chickens to the most stunning wax materials, jeans at knock down prices. It was ravaged by fire in 2017 but now is back and hopefully a little more tidy since street vendors had to vacate.

Marian Market. Marian market is much smaller but is where the vegetables arrive once weekly from the north of Nigeria and the atmosphere on market day is fantastic, preachers are singing, women are joining in, traders are very vocal and one just bargains for everything. This one also got gutted by fire (in July 2020), so it may be down for a while.

Eat

Go to Bogobiri Corner (Suya Arcade) and enjoy suya from the many vendors. Freddy's Restaurant is the local eaterie. Run by Ellie and a very professional staff, Freddies is a successful and well run restaurant. Main menu is Lebanese foods but Ellie will try to please everyone. Good salads, fish and best of all huge prawns are the best. Local beers, wines and all drinks are available and all at good prices. Chinese restaurant at the Mirage Hotel is well run and although fairly limited menu, food is good - not cheap though.

Native Delicacies Restaurant Calabar. They have Available different soups, afang soup, fisherman, wheat, edikaikong soup beef and chicken burgers, seafood melon soup, spaghetti coconut rice, moi moi okra soup, fried rice catfish soup, jollof rice fried plantain, and ekang soup.Service options include dine in take away and delivery.

Freddy's Restaurant. They offer solid and fast food meals like jollof rice, white rice and stew, porridge yam, beans and potatoes, coconut rice, African rice, egusi, Asun,Nkwobi, goat meat, nsala, ọkazi, vegetables soup, ofe okporoko, ìsi ewu, and many more meals. They have dine in and take away packs for customers.

The Beehive restaurant. They offer jollof rice and fried plantain, rice and stir fry, coconut rice vegetables fried mix ofada stew, Assorted meats afang soup, fisherman, wheat, edikaikong soup beef and chicken burgers, seafood melon soup, spaghetti coconut rice, moi moi okra soup, fried rice, catfish soup, jollof rice and plantain, ekang soup among other foods.Service options include dine in take away and delivery.

Mustard Seed Restaurant. They offer jollof rice, white rice and stew, porridge yam, beans and potatoes, coconut rice, African rice, egusi, Asun,Nkwobi, goat meat and all types of pepper soup and local soup. They have dine in and take away.

Happy Food. They have different continental dishes like spaghetti salad, chicken and cheese salad,chicken salad, Chinese fried noodles, Shawarma fried fish and chips, pizza, coconut rice, jollof rice, doughnut, sausage roll, buns, and fried plantain Omelettes, dessert. They offer dine for customers and their meal are pocket friendly, take away packs, delivery.

157 kitchen. They have different soups available, including afang soup, fisherman, wheat, edikaikong soup beef and chicken burgers, seafood melon soup, spaghetti coconut rice, moi moi okra soup, fried rice catfish soup, jollof rice fried and plantain, ekang soup and many more.Service options include dine in take away and delivery.

Queenieez Kitchen. They offer solid and fast food meals like jollof rice, white rice and stew, porridge yam, beans and potatoes, coconut rice, African rice, egusi, Asun, Nkwobi, goat meat, nsala, ọkazi, vegetables soup, ofe okporoko, ìsi ewu. And many more Igbo meals. They have dine in and take away packs for customers.

Domino's Pizza Calabar. They have different continental dishes like spaghetti salad, chicken and cheese salad,chicken salad minj pizza, Shawarma fried fish and chips, pizza, coconut rice, jollof rice and fried plantain Omelettes, dessert. They offer dine for customers and their meal are pocket friendly, take away packs, delivery.

St. Mary's Kitchen. They have Available different soups, afang soup, fisherman, wheat, edikaikong soup beef and chicken burgers, seafood melon soup, spaghetti coconut rice, moi moi okra soup, fried rice catfish soup, jollof rice fried and plantain, ekang soup and many more.Service options include dine in take away and delivery.

SeanAndre Place. Their meals include jollof rice, yellow rice, fried coconut rice, boiled yam, egg dish, beans and bread, their meals are pocket friendly. Service options: Dine in, take away, delivery.

NUJ Restaurant Calabar. They offer solid and fast food meals like jollof rice, white rice and stew, porridge yam, beans and potatoes, coconut rice, African rice, egusi, Asun,Nkwobi, goat meat, nsala, ọkazi, vegetables soup, ofe okporoko, ìsi ewu, and other local Calabar meals. They have dine in and take away for customers. Delivery.

Regyjoy Restaurant. They offer pounded yam, amala, jollof rice fried rice, potatoes chips, egg rolls, chicken barbecue, doughnut, chocolate cake, catfish barbecue, shawarma, bushmeat soup, point and kill, and small chops. Their service includes dine in and take away packs.

Bolerores Grills. They offer solid and fast food meals like jollof rice, white rice and stew, porridge yam, beans and potatoes, coconut rice, African rice, egusi, Asun, Nkwobi, goat meat, nsala, ọkazi, vegetables soup, ofe okporoko, ìsi ewu, and other Igbo meals. They have dine in and take away packs for customers.

Sleep

Adrian's Place MCC. This is an annex of Adrian's Place at Asari Eso Layout, where 24 hours fun is available.

Le Chateau Hotel. Satellite TV, air-con, restaurant. It's possible to make an online reservation on the hotel's website.

Xcape Hotels & Suites Limited. This one is great if you want to be close to the Ika Ika Oqua Market (aka Marian Market). It has a secure gate, pool, breakfast/restaurant/bar, a/c, and Wi-Fi.

Jacaranda Suites. Unique ambience and furnishing with luxury hospitality services.

Marian Hotel. Holistic environment, alcohol-and-smoke-free environment. Five minutes from the airport. Authentic African dishes.

Mirage Hotels. Mirage is clean with basic amenities. Staff are friendly and well trained, particularly the porters.

Pyramid Hotels and Conference Center.

Scholet Suites. Luxury rooms, wireless internet (high speed broadband), reliable 24-hr security, jacuzzi, cubicle, electronic doors and excellent services await you at Scholet Hotel & Suites.

Axari Hotel. This hotel has a large relaxing pool, restaurant, security gate, a/c, and wifi. It's just a couple of blocks from the Driscoll Ranch Monkey Centre.