By Obiabin Onukwugha
Plateau state, North Central Nigeria is endowed with beautiful landscapes and derived its name from the many hills and mountains that adorn it.
It is essentially characterized by savanna woodlands, gallery forests with seasonal streams, gentle hills and rocky outcrops, and some exotic plants. It covers hills, streams, and varied upland vegetation with about 43 kilometers of network of safari tracks. Plateau state boasts of a cool weather likened to that of winter, and such is attracted to a lot of foreigners who see it as home away from home.
The state, with its beauty, hosts a lot of tourists sites and attractions for lovers of nature.
The Wildlife Safari Park
Jos wildlife park is one of the largest man made zoological gardens in the country and is home to a variety of animals ranging from monkeys, elephants, lions. The variety of wildlife and closeness to nature is one of the many reasons why tourists come from far and wide to visit the park.
Rayfield Holiday Resort: This man-made resort is suitable for a romantic weekend for couples. It gives unending fun for visitors because it has awesome sceneries. The best time to visit this resort is when the weather is warm and dry and ideal for a boat cruise, between the months of October and February. At the resort, you can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, horse riding, sports fishing and indoor games. Other fun activities you can enjoy there include: live performances, a shopping centre, and children’s recreation park.
The National Museum
Jos museum was built in 1952 by Bernard Fagg to aid research into pre historic Nigeria. Originally the National museum, Jos museum is an important research center into the pre historic culture of Nigeria boasting of a pottery hall, Nok terracotta heads and the museum of traditional Nigerian architecture.
Wase Rock
Wase Rock is a massive dome shaped rocky inselberg found near Wase town in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State in central Nigeria. Standing alone in the Wase plains, it achieves a remarkable height of about 176 metres above the surface of the neighbouring surroundings and 426 metres above sea level.
Pandam Game Reserve
Pandam Wildlife Park in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State is one of the largest game reserves in Nigeria. It was designated in 1972 by the then Military Governor of Benue-Plateau, Joseph Gomwalk, of blessed memory.
The Park covers a land mass of about 224sq Km of untouched savanna wetlands and forest and is home to many species of wild animals, including antelopes, shy duikers, warthogs and monkeys living in the natural environment. Apart from these, hippopotamus and the rare African manatee are found inside the freshwater of Pandam Lake.
It is indeed an interesting sight for tourists who would like to see the brilliantly colored parrots and other rare bird species in the park. The park has over the years provided a place for visitors to learn about the beauty of nature and enjoy the natural environment. Parks such as the one in Pandam exist to ensure that pleasure seekers, now and in the future, are able to experience for themselves their country’s rich natural heritage.
Assop Falls: Located about 70 km along Jos-Kagoro road, the Assop River supplies water which the falls use, and it helps the natural vegetation of grasslands that enter into the forests. It is a beautiful area of rocks, hills and lakes; ideal for boating, camping, and rock climbing. Tourist accommodation is available.
