If it's your first visit to Abuja, visit the shiny new civic buildings of the
neatly ordered Central District, overlooked by 1312-foot-high Aso Rock, a
monolith left by water erosion. On return visits to Abuja, see African animals at
Abuja's National Children's Park and Zoo and haggle for bargain
souvenirs at Wuse Market.
Background
Right in the heart of Nigeria, around 300 miles inland from coastal Lagos, Abuja is a
purpose-built city still under construction. It's predominantly a business
and administrative city, with the focus on embassies, government agencies and
business facilities. Central Abuja's tidy grid of streets is divided into
four districts. Massive Aso Rock towers over the Central District, with the
Federal Government buildings located in the Three Arms Zone at the base of
the rock. You'll find most businesses here in the Central District, plus
the National Mosque and National Church facing each other on nearby Independence
Avenue. Garki is another business district, with hotels and the International
Conference Centre. The highlight of the Wuse District is the busy Wuse
Market. Abuja's most exclusive district is Maitama.
First-time visit
Explore the caves dotting Aso Rock and see how the rock dominates
Abuja's administrative and business districts. Visit the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier in the Central District to watch the colourful
changing-of-the-guard ceremony. You can see local flora at the Abuja Plant
Nursery then haggle for crafts, batik textiles, clothes and jewellery at
nearby Wuse Market for a traditional African shopping experience. Visit
outdoor street bars in Garki and dine at upmarket restaurants in
Maitama or on multicultural fare in Wuse.
Return visit
Drop into Abuja's community pottery centres to purchase Nigerian ceramics.
Visit the National Children's Park and Zoo on Abuja's outskirts to
see big cats, giraffes and zebras. Head to massive Zuma Rock, known as the
'Gateway to Abuja' jutting out of the plains north of Abuja. Cool
off in Abuja's Millennium Park and take a daytrip to the gushing
Gurara waterfalls, an hour outside Abuja.
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