Plateau
Home of Peace and Tourism
Home of Peace and Tourism
The Wildlife Safari Park sits in the middle of eight square kilometres of unspoiled savannah bush, about four kilometres from Jos. It is home to a wide variety of wild animals, including buffalo, lions, leopards, baboons, monkeys, pythons, crocodiles, chimpanzees, jackals and the rare pygmy hippopotamus. The park also boasts panoramic views of the city of Jos.
The Assop falls is perhaps the most notable of Nigeria's many waterfalls. Located at the edge of the Jos Plateau, about 64 kilometres from Jos City on the road to Abuja, this is a popular tourist stop for picnicking, swimming and enjoying the scenery. The Assop falls are also popular with people shooting local soap operas and advertisements.
The Kurra falls is located in an area of magnificent scenery some 77 kilometres southeast of Jos. It is a beautiful area of hills and lakes ideal for boating, camping and rock climbing. It is also the location of the state's first hydroelectric power station. The Kurra falls lies to the east of Barkin-Ladi along the Jos-Pankshin road.
Wase Rock is a remarkable dome-shaped inselberg which juts out of the ground to a height of 450 metres. It is located about 216 kilometres southeast of Jos near Wase town. It is one of only five breeding places for the white pelican in Africa. Because of this, the government protects about 321 acres of land around the rock as a bird sanctuary and for wildlife development.
Located about 88 kilometers from Jos, the Kerang highlands are scenic volcanic mountain hills which are the source of a number of natural springs. These supply the popular spring water company Spring Waters Nigeria Limited (SWAN).
The Shere hills include some of the Plateau's highest peaks. They are an impressive range of hills to the east of Jos which offer a prime view of the city. They offer fantastic opportunities to mountain climbers and hill walkers alike.
Riyom Rock is one of the state's most spectacular rock formations. It is located 25 kilometres southwest of Jos along the Jos-Akwanga road and is named after the LGA in which it is located.
The Pandam game reserve is a wildlife sanctuary. It is home to hippopotami, crocodiles and snakes of all types. Local park rangers track game on foot and guide people to the best viewing areas. The region is still virtually unspoiled by human contact and offers sport fishing facilities. It is located near Suleja.
The Kahwang rock formation is a set of beautiful basalt rocks. Located in the village of Bangai in the Riyom LGA, the rock formation attracts tourists from far and wide.
The Miango rest house is a retreat and conference centre located in Miango which was established by missionaries (Serving In Mission, SIM, Nigeria) in 1914 at the foot of a small hill (Mount Sanderson) which provides beautiful views of the surrounding area. It is located next to Kent Academy, a non-denominational missionary school. The rest house provides visitors with plenty of opportunities to hike in the surrounding area. The property also features a dam and a farm.
The National Museum in Jos was commissioned in 1952 by Bernard Fagg, a British archaeologist and museum curator, and is recognised as one of the best museums in the country. It has one large exhibition hall and two smaller ones. The museum is renowned for its archaeology and its Pottery Hall has an exceptional collection of finely crafted clay artworks from all over Nigeria. It is Nigeria's first major museum of antiquities and the second museum established in the country (after the one in Esie, near Ilorin). The museum is home to some fine specimens of Nok terracotta heads and artefacts dating from between 500 BC and 200 AD.
The Museum of Traditional Nigerian Architecture is adjacent to the National Museum in Jos. It features life-size replicas of a variety of Nigerian buildings and architectural landmarks, from the walls of Kano and the mosque at Zaria to a Tiv village. In addition, articles of interest from colonial times relating to the railway network and tin mining are on display.
The Jos Zoo is close to the National Museum and Museum of Traditional Nigerian Architecture located in the centre of Jos. It was established in 1957 and is home to a wide variety of animals including birds, donkeys, porcupine, ostriches and reptiles.
The Wushiri cultural festival is held in thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest. It usually takes place in January and is celebrated by the Kulere ethnic group in the Bokkos LGA.
The Bel/Sombi cultural festival is a seasonal ceremony. During the celebration, various entertainments take place, the deaths of elderly community members are mourned and new chiefs are installed. It is commemorated by the Angas ethnic group in the Pankshin LGA.