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.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
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.
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.
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 (Ekpe Stone), Eton by Eyamba Street. 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.
1 Tinapa Resort (NW side of town), ☏ +234 803 574 4857. 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. monorail is ₦1000. (updated Aug 2020) Calabar Carnival, known as "Africa's Biggest Street Party" held every year through the month of December and attracts thousands within and beyond Nigeria.
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, 118 Murtala Mohammed Hwy, Ikot Ekan Edem, ☏ +234 706 247 7291.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Nov, Calabar typically sees ~30°C daytime highs and 28 rainy days.
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