Kaduna: City of Crocodiles
Kaduna, literally the “City of Crocodiles”, is the capital of Northern Nigeria and one of the most welcoming cities in the country. Kaduna derives its name from its natural environs: located by the River Kaduna, the city surroundings are one of the better crocodile habitats in the world. The city is particularly famous for culture and history and it is noteworthy that though the city is governed by Sharia Law, it is very accommodating and the Law is only applicable to non-Muslims. The locals are very friendly and public punishments are very rare. The immense hospitality of the locals is one of the most rewarding Kaduna tourist attractions.
Places to visit in Kaduna
Though Kaduna is among the most welcoming cities of Nigeria and is a major industrial and commercial centre, the city hardly gets any tourists as the list of Kaduna tourist attractions is quite small. Among the most prominent landmarks of the city is the General Usman Katsina Gate, which is locally referred to as the Kofar Gamji or the Gamji Gate. A very good park cutting through the river, Gamji Gate is a sight to behold and is perfect for a day picnic. The neighbouring environs offer many excellent spots for crocodile watching.
Kaduna- Travel tips, languages spoken, cuisine
Kaduna is generally safe for tourists, but it is advisable that certain areas be avoided after dark. Needless to stay, usual precautions such as keeping valuables out of sight, etc., need to be taken. Further, while visiting game areas, one should (and rightly so) follow the guide’s instructions and not feed anything to wild animals. Though Kaduna is perfectly welcoming and very accommodating, it is still somewhat of a conservative city, and it is best that one bears in mind while roaming the city. Though English is the other official language of Nigeria, it is not that well understood in Kaduna; Gbari and Hausa are the most widely spoken language. The local currency is Nigerian naira (NGN). The local cuisine is rich and draws influences from a variety of cuisines and places. What’s more, it freely is available at very affordable prices. Kaduna has a large number of eateries for all types of budgets, and it is advised that you definitely do not miss out on street food.
Best time to visit in Kaduna
The best time to visit Kaduna is from December to March.
Best way to reach Kaduna
- By Air: Kaduna has a well-equipped airport, and is connected to Nigeria’s air-travel hubs via regular flights.
- By Rail: Though Kaduna is connected to the Nigerian rail network, owing to ill-maintenance, there are no passenger train services that connect it of the rest of the country. The government, however, plans to change this in the future.
- By Road: Kaduna is well connected to all national and regional destinations and neighbouring popular attractions. Further, Kaduna, being region’s commercial hub, is also an apt jump-off point for almost all of the Northern Nigeria attractions, in particular Zaria, the historically renowned warrior town that is home to Ahmadu Bello University.
Accommodation
The Kaduna accommodation scene is such that you would not have any trouble finding a decent place to stay; high-end amenities, however, might very well be lacking. Further, many local and international tour operators offer Kaduna vacation package tours. These tours cover most of the Kaduna tourist destinations, but do not carry the element of risk and adventure that going solo does.