Obudu Mountain Resort, best place to be

Nigeria is endowed with massive tourism potentials, both natural and man-made. Each state of the federation has its own tourism potentials that could be developed to improve the tourism industry, turning it into revenue generating venture for the local communities and the nation as a whole.

However, out of these hundreds of tourism endowments, there is a search for seven that would serve as tourism icons for Nigeria. These are the Naija Seven Wonders and the search is on to unveil them.

The search team, made up of academics, professional tourism practitioners and travel journalists is to choose the best of tourism endowments of Nigeria either natural or man-made and then come up with a most-seen sites.

The visit to the short listed sites was to have a first hand assessment. The other 50 sites will also be visited by the team before pruning them down further until the final Naija Seven are chosen.

The Obudu Mountain Resort (Formerly Obudu Cattle Ranch) is one of the nominated tourist sites in Cross River State which offers the leisure seeker and the conference goer a complete contrast. Not only in its temperate climate but also its exciting and different location.

Nestling at the top of the mountain, the Obudu Mountain Resort is situated on a plateau at 1576 metres above sea level on the Oshie Ridge of the Sankwala Mountains. The temperate climate offers a total contrast and welcome respite from Africa’s tropical heat. Idyllic tranquillity, beautiful scenery and breathtaking views make it ideal for the lone adventurer, families on reunion, young couple or holiday group.

Speaking to search team made up of travel journalists who were on tour at the resort over the weekend, the General Manager, Mr. Paul Kavanagh, said that the resort provides accommodation in the form of African round huts and chalets on stilts maximising the breathtaking views. Obudu Mountain Resort also offers self-contained suites varying in size from the 2-bedroom Governor’s Lodge with its own lounge and dining room and kitchenette to the 20 Mountain Villas, each with three bedrooms, lounge, dining room, kitchenette and balcony.

Kavanagh stated that everything at the Resort have been carefully put in place to meet up with international standard, adding that  the food and beverage offering is found in the Terrace Restaurant and Bar with a cosy and relaxing atmosphere made complete by the blazing log fire. National and international cuisine is guaranteed to suit all tastes and the healthy appetites from a day’s nature walk or round of golf.

The former Obudu Cattle Ranch offers a fully-equipped gym, two floodlit tennis courts, a squash court and a natural swimming pool. Keen golfers can show their prowess on the hotel’s 9-hole golf course.

The general manager stated that the major talking point for guests is Africa’s longest cable car system. At 4 kilometres, Obudu Mountain Resort cable car gently transfers guests (and their bags) from the tropical climate at the base of the mountain right to the hotel’s reception area on the mountainside which is often in the clouds and is accompanied by an invigorating drop in temperature.

The tourist, he said, will have the opportunity to view the magnificent scenery and spectacular birdlife which are a must for the visitors who come to this part of the world and these tourists can be taken on foot or on bicycle. For those who forgot to pack binoculars, the Canopy Walkway which is situated in the trees allows visitors thrilling close-ups of the birds in their natural habitat high above the ground.