How to Find Luxury Hotels In Abuja, Nigeria

Abuja is the relatively new Federal Capital of Nigeria in West Africa, chosen as a neutral, unifying place to bring all citizens together regardless of culture or religion. Construction began in 1976 and proceeded slowly until December 12, 1991, when Abuja was officially named Nigeria's capital.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Computer with internet access for making reservations.

Plan Your Trip to Abuja, Nigeria

1. Find a guidebook that will introduce you to some of Abuja Nigeria's English vernacular, which is slightly different from the one you are used to. For example, if someone asks you if you would like to 'ease yourself,' they are not inviting to you to rest, but rather to use the rest room!

2. Catch a taxi at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport for the short ride to Abuja Nigeria's center of town. After settling in, try an inexpensive 'Okada' or bike taxi, a fast way to navigate your way around.

3. Plan any travel outside Abuja wisely. In other parts of Nigeria, careless drivers may pose a threat and few traffic lights are functional.

4. Visit the Three Arms Zone, named after the three parts of the federal government, all of which are located in the neighborhood. Don't miss the changing of the guards ceremony at The Brigade of Guards.

Select Your Luxury Accommodations in Abuja, Nigeria

1. To book accommodations, contact Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation at 011 ([phone] or visit the Web site (see Resources below). Choose luxury accommodations that offer live entertainers and dancing on the weekends. Over 100 hotels and guest houses cater to vacationers and business travelers alike.

2. Ask about wireless internet access; this service is now offered at some luxury hotels, as well as 24 hour rooms for meetings.

3. Consider staying in luxury accommodations nearby one of Abuja's main tourist attractions, an enormous monolith known as Aso Rock, which is 1,300 feet high and made of granite. The name 'Aso' comes from 'Asokoro,' the tribe that once lived upon the land in this area. Aso means 'victory' and Asokoro 'the victorious ones.'

4. Vacation in luxury in accommodations near the local Handicraft Village, where you can get a feel for the life of local residents.

Tips & Warnings

• Respect the customs of the natives; check before taking someone's photograph, and refrain from taking pictures of buildings and monuments in the public domain, including the airport.

• Guard against theft by taking the following precautions: Avoid using personal checks, credit cards or automated teller machines anywhere in the country. Pay for everything from meals to accommodations in cash currency. Before leaving home, clean out your wallet or purse of any unnecessary papers or cards that give information away about you; identity fraud is rampant throughout the country.