Nigeria 14-Day Itinerary 2026

Three full days in Lagos allows you to properly absorb Africa's largest city. Lagos is overwhelming, electric, creative and completely unforgettable.

Day 1: Victoria Island & Lekki

Start at the Nike Art Gallery in Lekki (free entry, five storeys of 8,000+ Nigerian artworks), then walk the Lekki Conservation Centre canopy walkway (₦1,000). Afternoon at Victoria Island beaches and the Tafawa Balewa Square area. Evening at Terra Kulture for contemporary Nigerian cuisine and live theatre.

Day 2: Badagry Slave Route

Drive west to Badagry (1.5 hours) to walk the historic slave trade route — the Point of No Return, Vlekete Slave Market, Heritage Museum and Brazilian Barracoon. This is Nigeria's most important slavery heritage site. Return via Coconut Beach for a swim. Evening in Lagos Island exploring local bars.

Day 3: Culture & Nightlife

Morning boat trip through Makoko, the floating slum community built on Lagos Lagoon (book through a community guide, ₦5,000). Visit the National Museum on Awolowo Road (₦500). Afternoon at Freedom Park, a former colonial prison turned cultural space. Evening in the buzzing nightlife of Lekki — try Quilox, Hard Rock Cafe Lagos, or an Afrobeats night.

Stay: Budget: ₦15,000-25,000/night | Mid: ₦45,000-80,000 | Luxury: ₦120,000+

Take the Lagos-Ibadan railway (₦3,000-6,000, 2.5 hours) or drive (1.5 hours). Stop at Abeokuta to climb Olumo Rock (₦1,000), the historic granite fortress with panoramic views. Continue to Ibadan for the University of Ibadan campus and zoological garden, Cocoa House (first skyscraper in tropical Africa) and Dugbe Market. Overnight in Ibadan — the city's food scene centres on amala with gbegiri, best at Amala Skye or Jevinik.

Stay: Budget: ₦15,000 | Mid: ₦25,000-35,000 | Luxury: ₦50,000+

Drive 1.5 hours north to Oshogbo. Spend the morning at the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove (UNESCO, ₦2,000), a 75-hectare forest with shrines and sculptures along the Osun River. Afternoon exploring Oja Oba market for authentic adire (tie-dye) textiles — Oshogbo is the centre of Yoruba textile art. If timing allows, visit the Oshogbo artist community founded by Suzanne Wenger to see contemporary art being created. Drive or fly to Abuja in the evening (1-hour flight from Ibadan, ₦40,000-60,000).

Day 6

Explore Nigeria's purpose-built capital. Visit Aso Rock (view from outside — the massive monolith dominates the city skyline). Tour the National Mosque and National Church (side by side, symbolising religious tolerance). Afternoon at Jabi Lake Mall and the lake itself for boating. Evening dinner at Wakkis or Le Meridien for upscale Nigerian cuisine.

Day 7

Morning at the National Museum and Millennium Park, Abuja's largest public park designed by Italian architect Manfredi Nicoletti. Browse the Arts and Crafts Village in Abuja for handicrafts from all 36 states. Visit Zuma Rock (1 hour drive), a 725-metre monolith resembling a human face. This is your rest day — take it easy in the afternoon.

Stay: Budget: ₦20,000-30,000 | Mid: ₦50,000-80,000 | Luxury: ₦120,000+ (Transcorp Hilton)

Day 8

Drive or fly from Abuja to Jos (3 hours by road). The Jos Plateau sits at 1,200 metres and enjoys the coolest climate in Nigeria — locals call it the “winter home”. Visit the Jos Museum (formerly National Museum Jos), which houses the famous Nok terracotta sculptures — the oldest known figurative art in sub-Saharan Africa, dating to 500 BC. Explore the Shere Hills and their dramatic rock formations.

Day 9

Morning trip to Riyom Rock (the balancing rocks on the old ₦50 note) and the surrounding plateau landscape with its inselbergs and grasslands. Visit a tin mining heritage site — Jos was the centre of Nigeria's tin mining industry. Afternoon is a rest day to enjoy the pleasant climate, read a book at your hotel, or explore the Jos city centre. This is the halfway point of the trip — you have earned a breather.

Stay: Budget: ₦10,000-18,000 | Mid: ₦25,000-40,000 | Luxury: ₦50,000+ (Hill Station Hotel)

Day 10

Fly from Abuja or Jos to Calabar (1.5 hours, from ₦45,000 on Air Peace). Transfer to your hotel and explore the Calabar waterfront and Marina Road in the evening. Arrange your car to Obudu for the next morning (₦25,000-40,000 private hire).

Day 11

Drive to Obudu Mountain Resort (5-6 hours). The road climbs from sea level to 1,576 metres through increasingly dense forest. On arrival, ride the 4 km cable car (₦5,000) for sweeping views of the Becheve Valley. Hike the Grotto trail and swim in the natural mountain pools. The temperature here is 15-22°C — bring warm clothes.

Day 12

A full day at Obudu. Hike the Becheve Nature Reserve trails through montane forest rich with endemic birds and butterflies. Visit waterfalls, try the canopy walkway (₦2,000), go horse riding (₦3,000) or mountain biking. Afternoon at leisure — read on the terrace, use the spa, or simply enjoy the mountain air and zero-light-pollution night sky.

Stay: Obudu — Budget: Standard chalet ₦30,000 | Mid: Premier chalet ₦50,000 | Luxury: Presidential lodge ₦100,000

Day 13

Drive back to Calabar. Visit the Slave History Museum at the Old Residency, documenting the transatlantic slave trade through Calabar. Walk through the colonial Old Town with its Victorian-era buildings. Afternoon at the Cercopan Primate Sanctuary (endangered primates) and the Drill Monkey Ranch (the world's only drill monkey rehabilitation centre). Evening seafood dinner at Freddy's on the waterfront.

Day 14

Morning trip to Cross River National Park (Oban Division, 1 hour). Walk the forest trails with a ranger guide looking for primates including the rare Cross River gorilla. The park is one of Africa's oldest rainforests. Return to Calabar for the Botanical Garden and a final lunch of pepper soup and fresh fish. Transfer to Calabar Airport for your return flight to Lagos and onward connection.

Prices based on 2026 rates. Exchange rate approximately ₦1,600 = $1 USD.

• Duration: 14 days / 13 nights
• Regions: South, Central, South-East
• Budget from: ₦750,000 ($470)
• Best months: Nov-Feb
• Internal flights: 3-4