Taraba in Nigeria offers different ways to experience a trip: the temperate Mambilla Plateau, the habitats of Gashaka-Gumti National Park, and a cultural diversity shaped by more than 80 ethnic groups. If you are equally interested in nature and culture, these themes can help shape your view of the state.

Landscapes and Wildlife

Gashaka-Gumti National Park encompasses dry savanna with scattered trees, lowland rainforest, montane grassland and montane cloud forest. Savanna, forest and mountain habitats thus sit alongside one another as distinct natural features. For nature enthusiasts, this range offers several perspectives on the park, rather than reducing it to a single type of landscape.

Protected wildlife in the park includes white-bellied and giant pangolins, African golden cats, leopards and Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees. The latter are classified as critically endangered. The species diversity and variety of habitats make the national park particularly interesting for travelers who want to take in both the landscape and wildlife.

Tourist activities in Gashaka-Gumti National Park include camping, observing primates in Kwano Forest and visiting Kiri Waterfalls. Nature watching, camping and waterfalls are therefore specific options to consider when planning. Check current visitor access before making specific plans.

Highlands and Forest Reserves

The Mambilla Plateau has a temperate climate and is considered a suitable place for high-altitude sports, adventure and picnics. These options appeal to different interests: physical activity in the highlands, adventure or time for a picnic. You can choose what to focus on at the plateau according to what most appeals to you about the landscape.

The small, mid-altitude Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve in Taraba lies between Serti and Gembu. The forest reserve is legally protected as a state forest reserve. It offers a different natural feature from the national park’s varied habitats: here, the focus is on a single forest reserve and its location between two named places.

Barup Waterfalls offer a striking landscape. They plunge over rocky granite cliffs into a lush jungle amphitheater. Their spray supports year-round lush vegetation near the Highland Tea Estate. Rock, waterfall and vegetation combine to create the area’s distinctive landscape.

Cultural Heritage and Gatherings

More than 80 ethnic groups contribute to Taraba’s cultural diversity through their languages, traditions, festivals, music and art. Three examples illustrate different aspects of this heritage: the ancient Jukun Kingdom of Kwararafa, the highland traditions of the Mambilla and the Mumuye people’s sculpture. History, tradition and art thus offer distinct ways to explore the state’s culture. Those interested in traveling to Taraba can consider these themes as different areas of focus.

The Nwonyo Fishing Festival centers on a gathering of the Ibi and neighboring communities for fishing and reconnecting. It complements the historical and artistic themes with the social aspect of a shared gathering. If the festival is relevant to your travel plans, check the dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Mayo Juji, Osun, Benue, Nassarawa, Edo, Jigawa, Ekiti, Enugu.

For the broader travel overview: Nigeria.