Abuja - Nigeria

• By Thomas M
• Destinations
• 20.06.2016

Abuja is the capital city of Nigeria, which is located in its center. Building Abuja according to plan started in the 1980s. It officially became Nigeria's capital on 12th December 1991, replacing Lagos, which is regarded as its commercial capital and its most populous city.
Here are the three amazing places every tourist needs to visit in Abuja. With a lot of activities happening in the capital city, these five might seem like the ones with some serenity, and if you enjoy nature and would love to escape the hullaboo often associated with urban areas in the country, you might find these five places in Abuja very interesting.

Millennium Park, Abuja
It is the largest public park in Abuja and is within the Maitama District of the city. It is located close to the nucleus of the presidential and administrative buildings in the city. A river in its main rectilinear axis divides the park into two sides.One side ofthe park is dedicated to its uncontaminated nature. With a system of terraces at different levels are located Nigeria's mountain vegetation, savanna, deciduous forest, rain forest and brushwood as well as greenhouses for butterflies and tropical birds.

National Children's Park and Zoo
The National Children's Park and Zoo is located in Asokoro District behind the Presidential Villa. It sits under the shadow of nearby Aso Rock. For animal lovers, there is plenty of wildlife to admire here, with attractions including camels, crocodiles, elephants, giraffes, monkeys, ostriches, tortoises, wild cats and zebras.
Domestic animals are also housed in the zoo, making it a great attraction for younger children too. In fact, playgrounds and other fun activities for kids along ’Toddler's Lane’ make this an ideal place to while away an afternoon or enjoy a picnic.

Abuja Arts and Craft Village
Arts and Craft Village lies at the heart of the city, flanked on either sides by magnificent monuments — Shehu Musa Yar'adua Centre on the right and Silverbird Entertainment Centre on the left. With the Sheraton Hotel as a backdrop for the Art and Craft Village, it presents you the opportunity to see and buy some of Nigeria's art and craft works that represent the country's culture. The shops are thatch-roofed huts with walls made from red earth (clay). From little sculpted ‘warrior and horse’ statuettes, beaded necklaces and bracelets, African traditional masks, traditional leather bags, tie & dye (Adire) clothes to mention a few, you'll find this a safe shopping spot for local arts and crafts.