one of the oldest in Nigeria), was founded in Calabar in 1895 by Scottish Presbyterian missionaries. Tourism and Recreation Cross River National Park  Cross River National Park is one of seven national parks in Nigeria under the management of the Nigerian National Parks Service. In 1991, two separate established forest reserves were joined together to form the park, which covers an area of 4,000 square kilometres. The older and larger reserve, Oban Hills (3,000 square kilometres), is in the southeast of the state and close to Calabar. Oban Hills is exceptionally rich in biodiversity. It has approximately 1,570 plant, 75 mammal, 282 bird and 42 snake species. Mammals in the area include drill monkeys, buffalos, elephants and chimpanzees. The smaller reserve, Okwangwo (1,000 square kilometres), is to the north-east of the state and is adjacent to the Mbe Mountains Community Forest. Okwangwo has approximately 1,550 plant species and one of the largest concentrations of drill monkeys, gorillas and chimpanzees in Nigeria. The park is a rainforest reserve and is one of Africas oldest rainforests.  Afi Mountain Nature Reserve The Afi Mountain Nature Reserve in the Boki LGA is home to the 100 square-kilometre Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary. Wild drill monkeys, the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee and the endangered Cross River gorilla can be found in the reserve. The Kache Bano canopy walkway, made of steel and rope cables, runs through the reserve and offers access to the treetops.  Afi Mountain ( Sarah Seymour) Kwa Falls Kwa Falls is a waterfall located in the Akamkpa LGA. It is in the vicinity of the Cross River National Park and forms part of the Kwa River. The falls end in a large pool surrounded by rainforest vegetation.  Chimpanzee  Afi Mountain Swimming Pool  Afi Mountain Canopy Walk  Surrounding rainforest vegetation, Kwa Falls (Image © 1998 Anthony Jones)  Kwa Falls (Image © Shiraz Chakera)  Agbokim Waterfalls (Image © vencarta) Agbokim Waterfalls Referred to by the state government as a miracle of nature, the Agbokim Waterfalls - formed of separate streams that come together to create a spectacular waterfall - are located near Ikom. Obudu Mountain Resort  The Obudu Mountain Resort is on the Obudu Plateau in the Obanliku LGA. The plateau is more than 1,500 metres above sea level, giving the resort a temperate climate all year round. The resort is the venue of the annual Obudu Mountain International Race which was launched in 2005 and is endorsed by the World Mountain Running Association as well as the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF). The race is run in two categories (male and female) and has significant foreign participation. The resort (which was formerly known as the Obudu Cattle Ranch) is home to an integrated dairy farm and facilities such as a swimming pool and golf course.   The Ranch (1)  The Ranch (2)  The Resorts Swimming Pool Refome Lake Refome Lake is in the Abi LGA and is a natural inland freshwater lake. The Ntuefo and Iko Otwoa fishing festivals are celebrated there. Tropical Karst Scenery and Etankpini Caves Limestone caverns with stalactites and stalagmites can be seen in the village of Etankpini in the Odukpani LGA alongside tropical karst scenery with sinkholes and pillars. This is the only karst scenery on the West African coast. The caves are yet to be fully geologically and archaeologically examined. Similar caves exist at Agwangune in the Biase LGA. Tinapa Resort Tinapa is an integrated business and leisure resort located in Calabar, the first of its kind in Nigeria. It was conceptualised as an integrated business resort with a four-phase development promoted by the state government under a public-private partnership. It is located by the Calabar River and is part of the Calabar Free Trade Zone. Monuments and Museums Ikom Monoliths The Ikom monoliths (Akwasnshi in the local Ejagham dialect) are large carved stones spread over thirty communities in the Ikom LGA. They were declared an ancient monument by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments on March 19, 1963. The stones are arranged in circles, vary between one and two metres in height and are intricately decorated with geometric patterns, symbols and inscriptions. Although the carvings on the stones differ, each has the shape of a human torso. Most of the stones are made of basaltic rocks, while a few are sandstone and shelly limestone. Environmental (exposure to extremes of rainfall and sunlight, erosion and deterioration as resulting from humidity) and human (vandalism and theft) threats to the stones led to their inclusion on the 2008 World Monuments Fund Watch Sites list. They are also on the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tentative List.    Slave History Museum The Slave History Museum is a specialised museum which tells the story of slavery as witnessed in Calabar and its immediate surroundings. It is located at the Marine Resort in Calabar. Some of the artefacts exhibited at the museum include leg and neck shackles used on slaves, cowries, ceramic jars, bells, swords, guns and manilas. A Nok head from Rafin Kura dated between 900BC and 200AD, Calabar terracotta, Igbo-ukwu bronze, Ife terracotta and bronze, Owo terracotta and ivory, Benin bronze and ivory and Esie soapstone art are also on display. Old Residency Museum This museum is an imposing edifice with beautiful golden European architecture which served as the seat of government for the Sou
Posted on: Sun, 05 Oct 2014 10:38:21 +0000