Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
You can get to the park gate at Mainamaji by minibus from Bauchi (N600, five hours).
After paying the entrance fee (N300), you'll need to arrange transport to the camp -
around N3000 in a taxi or N1000 by
okada
.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Kano
064 / POP 10 MILLION
Founded around 1400 years ago, Kano is the oldest city in West Africa and Nigeria's
second largest. It was a major crossroads in the trans-Saharan trade routes and, from the
Middle Ages, an important centre for Islamic scholarship.
But Kano is now at the forefront of the imposition of sharia law, with issues such as
gender segregation of public transport cutting across community fault lines. Boko Haram
have been active in the area. Kano has some fascinating sights, but proceed only with ex-
treme caution.
Sights
With thousands of stalls in a 16-hectare area,
Kurmi Market
is one of the largest markets in
Africa and is the city's main attraction. It's a centre for African crafts, including gold,
bronze and silver work, and all types of fabric. Away from the throng are the
Kofar Dye Pits
(Kofar Mata Gate; 7am-7pm)
, where indigo cloth has been dyed for hundreds of years. Fin-
ished cloth is for sale, starting from around N1500 according to the design.
The
Gidan Makama Museum
(Emirs Palace Rd; admission N200; 8am-6pm)
stands on the site of the
original emir's palace (the modern one sits opposite) and is a wonderful example of tradi-
tional Hausa architecture. The museum has a fascinating photographic history of Kano,
and displays on Nigerian Islam and traditional culture. The
Gidan Dan Hausa
(Dan Hausa Rd; ad-
mission N100; 8am-4pm Mon-Thu, to 1pm Fri)
is another museum in a beautifully restored tradi-
tional house showcasing regional crafts and ceremonial costumes.
Festivals & Events
Held annually just after the end of Ramadan (exact dates vary), is the Kano Durbar - the
biggest and best festival of its kind in Nigeria. It includes an exquisite cavalry procession
featuring ornately dressed men and colourfully bedecked horses flanked by musicians.
