Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Head for Plateau Riders Motor Park at Tafawa Balewa St near Terminus to go any-
where in the country. Cars and buses run to Bauchi (N800, two hours), Kano (N1500, five
hours) and Abuja (N1500, four hours)
The motor park opposite NTA also offers taxis to cities close to Jos.
Cocin Guesthouse
GUESTHOUSE
$
( 07 345 2286; 6 Noad A St; dm N600, r N1400)
One of two church missions on this street. Ac-
commodation is clean, yet spartan, and bathroom facilities are shared, but it's hard to beat
the price. Next door,
Tekan Guesthouse
(
07 345 3036; 5 Noad St; dm N350, r N1000)
has more of the
same.
Les Rosiers
B&B
$$
( 0803 357 5233;
https://sites.google.com/site/lesrosiersjos/
; 1 Rest House Rd; r from N9000; )
This
bungalow B&B is a delightfully unexpected find with a couple of chalets amid pleasant
gardens. The French-Nigerian hosts are a good source of information and can help organ-
ise hiking trips and further travel. Entrance is opposite the Plateau Hotel.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Yankari National Park
Yankari, 225km east of Jos, is Nigeria's best-known
national park
(admission N300, car N500, photo
permit N1250)
for observing wildlife. The park still holds reasonable numbers of buffaloes,
waterbucks, bushbucks, hippos and plenty of baboons. The biggest draw is the 300-strong
population of elephants - a few lions also survive there. The birdwatching is excellent.
The best time to see wildlife is from late December to late April, before the rains, when
the thirsty animals congregate at the Gaji River. You're permitted to drive your own
vehicle if you take a guide; otherwise, the park has a safari truck that takes two-hour tours
(N300) at 7.30am and 3.30pm daily.
Yankari's other attraction is the
Wikki Warm Spring
(admission N200)
, near the park camp-
ground. The crystal-clear water is a constant 31°C, forming a lake 200m long and 10m
wide. Bring your swimming gear - the spring is a real highlight and shouldn't be missed.
Set high above the spring, the
Wikki Camp
(campsites per person N600, bungalows from N9000;
)
has chalets for rent (from N9000) and a serene view over the lush area. There's a decent
restaurant and bar.
