Abuja - Post Report Question and Answers
What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Not really. - Jun 2024
Since you have the 6-mile-zone, there are no hidden gems. There is a zoo that might be interesting for kids, a cinema, some malls, some decent restaurants. Look out for Jazz nights at Chi Thai Revolution; the last one was pretty amazing, but that's it. - Sep 2019
You can take a day trip out to one of the lakes and hike, but that's about it. Hidden gems...bar at the Sheraton and Hilton. Buffet at Fraser. Nike Arts Center. Cafe at BluCabana. That's about it. I just don't think Nigeria is a 'hidden gem' sort of place. - Feb 2019
Wish you could check out something, but due to security there really isn't anything we can do. However, there are some movie theaters, bowling alley. go-carts, and paintball. - Apr 2018
I am planning a trip to the top of AZO rock. - Jun 2016
Hmm... still thinking... - Aug 2015
Nope. Everything worth seeing will be done in the first six months of being here. Then the newness wears off and you will be counting the days to the next chance you can leave Abuja for somewhere else. - Jun 2015
NO. - Nov 2014
Abuja is not a tourism location, there really anything here worth going out of the way for. If you live here, you will try out the local stuff. But, to travel here for it - not likely. - Aug 2014
Expats make their own fun - lots of pool side BBQ potlucks and such. There are a number of good but expensive restaurants. Very little else to do. Even difficult to find volunteer opportunities. - May 2014
There are 2 movie theaters, one very good golf course, 1.5 malls, 5-ish grocery stores, two main open-air markets, and two tourist craft markets. There is a pottery making "village" about 45 minutes outside the city, and a waterfall a bit farther than that. The Hash organizes biweekly hikes which are well attended, and there is a mountain biking club. Finding a group to volunteer with helps keep things in perspective. - May 2013
Not many. If you are lucky enough to cultivate a nice group of friends, you will probably entertain yourselves at each other's homes and at the limited number of restaurants in town. It's fair to say that the type of recreation and travel opportunities available at most posts are not available in Abuja. There is no American Club, although one is sorely needed there. The one notable exception is golf; there is a decent golf course in Abuja that keeps many people occupied. But its not particularly cheap, and for junior officers on low salaries, the cost of membership may be prohibitive. - Jun 2009
This is a problem. This is not what I would call a fun place but it is an experience. House and pool parties are popular. The Hilton has cultural events every so often. The Abuja Carnival is a great cultural experience. - Mar 2009
In my opinion, there aren't many Nigerian interesting or fun things to do...certainly not enough to keep you occupied during the length of your tour. I would say go to Wuse Market - it's probably not considered fun by most, but I think everyone would agree that it's definitely interesting. I would also recommend traveling to Yankari National Park for a safari. Don't expect to see the number of animals you would in South Africa, but it's still worth the trip to see wild elephants in their natural habitat. I did it during my year here along with a few other outside-of-Abuja trips, and it's the only trip I found worthwhile and would do again. The 6 - 8 hour drive with no nice bathrooms and crazy drivers was quite painful, but once you're there, it's pretty fun as long as you can put up with a horrible, incompetent staff that could care less if you have a working air conditioner and burned out light bulbs. The safari guides, however, were wonderful. They took some questionable paths with our safari vehicles and the maintenance and quality of the roads can be called into question, but they were very knowledgable about the animals and terrain. Seeing elephants and hippos in their natural habitat made all the frustrations worth it. Again, Abuja and Nigeria in general is BORING, so people entertain themselves by having people over for dinner or by going out to eat. Bring board games, movies, etc. to keep you entertained. There's no historical places like the great wall, eiffel tour, sistene chapel, etc. to tour here. You'll be creating your own fun. - Sep 2008
Almost none. Along with the totally outrageous cost of living, this is Abuja's worst aspect (Lagos is way better, but they have the crime).Pretty much any fun you have, you'll make yourself. There is a Hash, and a few super-expensive and very mediocre restaurants. Travel outside of Abuja is potentially dangerous (crime, terrible roads, intermittent fuel stations, and horrific driving) and pointless (what would you go to see? There are no tourist sites, no tourist infrastructure, and generally horrible infrastructure).Roads are neither lighted nor marked. - Aug 2008
Unfortunately, not a whole lot. This is a post where you have to make your own fun. We use to have a movie theatre, but I have heard rumors that that has recently been closed down. There is a bowling alley ... - Jul 2008
