Holiday in Abuja

About Abuja

Abuja is the youngest capital of Africa — a planned city that replaced Lagos as the seat of government in 1991 to create a neutral location between the Muslim north and the Christian south of Nigeria. The city was designed on the drawing board, and this is evident: wide boulevards, generous green spaces, and an order that contrasts with the chaotic Lagos, making it feel like a different country. However, behind the planned facade, a city of 2.7 million inhabitants is growing, developing its own energy and identity. Aso Rock, a 400-meter-high granite monolith, dominates the skyline and gives its name to the presidential palace (Aso Villa). The rock is the unofficial landmark of Abuja and is an impressive natural monument at sunset when it is bathed in golden light. At the foot of the rock lies the Three Arms Zone — the political center with the National Assembly, Supreme Court, and Presidential Villa. The Abuja National Mosque and the National Church are intentionally built next to each other — an architectural statement of national unity. The mosque with its golden dome and four minarets and the church with its modern concrete design are the two religious landmarks of the city. What sets Abuja apart from Lagos is its tranquility and accessibility: the city is green, safe (by Nigerian standards), and the surrounding rock formations offer hiking opportunities that one wouldn't expect in an African capital. The Gurara Falls, 2 hours away, plunge 30 meters and are particularly spectacular during the rainy season.