At an altitude of 1,716 metres above sea level, Obudu plateau truly enjoys a climate typical of the temperate regions of the world - the temperature of between 20 oC – 28 oC between November and January, while the lowest temperature range of 4 oC - 10oC is recorded between June and September.
From the stylish main entrance, the fun seems unending for those prepared for Mother Nature’s pamper that abounds in the Nigeria’s foremost sprawling resort.
The 11km of winding road with its 22 bends makes driving into the resort quite exhilarating. One of the most exciting bends is the “devil’s elbow,” which is half way through the stretch.
As you climb against the altitude from bottom hill towards the peak, you pass through tall, dense forests where the branches form a canopy that completely shuts out the sun. Driving up to the plateau, you will view rolling mountain ranges.
There is no pleasure you cannot see at this highest peak in Cross River Statefrom nature to man-made. The fun at the water park is for all, the cable car with world-class facilities will give you same thrills of Europe and the US, while the canopy walk, mountain climbing and lush game in its forest reserve will not only keep you fit but marry man and nature.
Walking through numerous waterfalls, horse riding, squash and tennis nature beckon at you. A nine-hole golf course has been constructed alongside a club house containing a gym. The ranch also has a Health Centre and a Police Post, natural small swimming pool with a mini waterfall.
Hiking is an absolute must-to-view, while Gorillas and other wildlife in the Rain Forest are worth exploring in the natural reserve. The various African and contemporary styled accommodation options provided by African Sun Hotels of Zimbabwe, the new manager of the resort, will also indulge you with their world-class facilities.
It is however regrettable that till date, both domestic and foreign tourists are still dragging their feet to the resort. In an age of global terrorism, the tourist of today is a battlehardened creature.
However, it is infrastructure and not safety that is holding much of them back from unravelling most African tourist potentials. But Obudu Mountain Resort has enough of world-class facilities to indulge any tourist, no matter the interest. This sad development gives great concern for many tourism and hospitality stakeholders.
What really is wrong? The resort seems to be operating under capacity due to poor patronage among other challenges that make it to quest less for the tourist’s dollar. Efforts by government and corporate bodies to encourage events and holidays at the resort have not been sustained, and few individual visitors seem to be looking elsewhere.
While infrastructure has a part to play, the poor holiday culture of Nigerians attributes to less domestic tourist presence at the place. It is about one hour flight from Lagos and Abuja, and between four and five hours drive from Calabar, the Cross River State capital. But most leisure buffs do not know that it is closer from Abuja by road. It is about six hours by road through Nasarawa-Lafia-Makurdi-Gboko-Adoka-Obudu.
Apart from the lack of knowledge of alternative routes, many people still ask where the resort is. It means African Sun, the new manager, is not doing enough publicity and needs aggressive marketing to woo more tourists to the doorstep of Mother Nature domiciled at the resort.
Probably, that may be one of the reasons the Protea Group, the former South African manager of the resort, left for more profitable city and business hotels.
Some stakeholders strongly believe the manager may be relying on state subvention to survive.
