Tourism: Ecological Wonders of the World – Anambra State
Anambra, South East Nigeria, is a state rich in culture, history, and economic potential. With cultures such as the New Yam Festival, Anambra has great works of art in iron, bronze, copper, and pottery.
Besides Anambra State is an economic hub with the popular onisha market. The state is also famous for its production of crops such as yam, cassava, maize, vegetables, and palm produce.
From the Ogbunike Cave, Agulu Lake, Owerre Ezukala Cave to Anam Beach, Anambra is home to lovers of nature and tourism
Below we bring you some exciting tourists centres in Anambra State.
Ogba Waterfalls
Ogba waterfalls is located in Owerre-Ezukala town. It is a waterfall in front of the Ogba Ukwu cave and is a major tourist attraction in Anambra state. The Ogba waterfalls has the gigantic Ogba rock as its source and forms a rainbow colour as it falls on the pile of rock below.
It is listed tentatively as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Agulu Lake
Agulu Lake, located in Anaocha Local Government Area, is a lake that has a width of about 7km and is endowed with different species of crocodiles and fish. Its beautiful scenery makes it a great place for picnics with family and friends.
Fishing is not allowed on the lake and the crocodiles, being sacred animals to the people, cannot be killed. It is said that these crocodiles were instrumental in delivering the town from enemy soldiers during the Nigerian civil war. It is also believed that these sacred crocodiles and turtles transformed themselves into beautiful ladies and lured the soldiers unawares into the lake where they disappeared without trace. At noon the crocodiles and the turtles appear at the banks of the lake to take in sunlight.
Ikenga Virgin Forest
This forest is recorded to be the only known virgin forest in Nigeria. It is a thick forest reserve, till date it has neither been cultivated nor its trees cut. It is a typical rainforest composed of tall evergreens, climbers and thick shrubs reputed to be the home of many species of animals that have gone extinct in other parts of the country. At the centre of the forest is a communal shrine presided over by a high priest who protects and ensures that the sanctity of the forest is never compromised.
Odinani Museum
The Odinani Museum is located in Nri and was founded by the Archaeology Department of the University of Ibadan. It has received wide recognition for its documentation of the ancient Nri Kingdom whose monarchy dates back to about 900 AD.
Ogbunike Caves
This is one of the most popular tourist sites in Anambra State. Located at Ogbunike, these caves were discovered 100 of years ago by a hunter that was known as Ukwa. These caves are situated in a tropical rain forest very close to the Ogba hills. This place is believed to have protected the people of Ogbunike during the slave trade era. Ogbunike caves is not a place for the faint hearted. It was once used for the defunct Gulder Ultimate Search.