How to Find Hotels in Abuja, Nigeria

Abuja is the capital city of Nigeria. Home to 500,000 people, it's located in the heart of the African savannah, and it offers a neutral and culturally diverse environment that visitors will find fascinating, exciting and educational.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Prescription and over-the-counter medications
• Electrical adaptor
• Internet access
• Passport
• Sunscreen
• Appropriate clothing for the season
• Travel visa

Know Your Destination

1. Shop with U.S. dollars. Naira, the national currency of Nigeria, is not convertible. However, U.S. money is widely accepted (see Resources, below).

2. Pack appropriately for the season. Abuja has 3 different seasons: the rainy season, the dry season and the harmattan (or the season of dust-laden wind).

Find Lodging in Abuja, Nigeria

1. Get a nice room. High-end accommodations in Abuja, Nigeria, will generally offer guest laundry service, a restaurant and a spacious suite. To book accommodations, contact the Federal Capital Territory at 011 ([phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources, below).

2. Find a deal. Most accommodations in Abuja cost less than $100 per night.

3. Book accommodations in the Garki District or the Wuse District if you want to be close to shopping.

4. Book accommodations in the Maitama District for high-end luxury suites and lots of shopping opportunities.

Organize Your Abuja Transportation

1. Land at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. It is the official airport for Abuja, Nigeria.

2. Start your Nigerian journey in Lagos. The Lagos Murtal Muhammed International Airport is just 13 miles away from the city of Lagos.

3. Travel by bus. Use this safe and inexpensive form of transportation for traveling from the airport to your hotel, between local points of interest and from city to city.

Review Local Information

1. Explore the different areas of the city. There are 4 districts in Abuja: the Central District, the Garki District, the Wuse District and the Maitama District.

2. Learn about the local vegetation. There are 3 main types of local flora: the grassy savannah, the savannah woodland and the shrub savannah.

Tips & Warnings

• All phone numbers include the international prefix "011." When calling internationally but not from the United States or Canada, substitute that "011" with "00." All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.

• It is highly recommended that you register with the U.S. Embassy when you first arrive in Abuja, Nigeria.

• If you want to take pictures of government buildings, bridges or the airport, you will need to get special permission. You can get this permission by requesting it from a Nigerian security officer.

• Nigeria is a dangerous country to visit. Many American visitors have been kidnapped, robbed at gunpoint, carjacked and assaulted.

• Be wary of confidence schemes aimed at American tourists. Some of these schemes are initiated via online dating services, while others veil themselves as business opportunities.

• Medical offices and services are limited in Nigeria, and those cities that do offer medical services tend to offer only mediocre medical care at best.

• If you need to take medications, it is important that you bring enough to cover your stay in Nigeria. Many outfits sell counterfeit prescription medications.