Travelers are always looking for inspiration to guide their adventures. Coming up with a list of places to visit can be challenging when you’re staring at a globe.
Some destinations just stand out above the rest. Many are the type of places where you can take a photo, and it requires no explanation to identify the location.
Enugu, the coal city, is a city of unique topography, vibrant culture, and beautiful scenery.
With ancient historical relics, several recreational spots, and friendly and hospitable people, Enugu offers several exciting places for leisure and business activities.
Enugu is derived from the words ‘Enu’ and ‘Ugwu,’ meaning ‘Top’ and ‘Hill’ respectively. It is the oldest urban area in the Southeast and holds the most beautiful city in South-Eastern Nigeria.
Whether you’re an adventurer, a food lover, or someone looking for top things to do in Enugu State, Enugu will fulfill all your desires!
Here, we explore the top tourist attractions in Enugu State that will leave you awestruck!
- NIKE LAKE
Nike Lake is the most popular lake in Enugu state and one of the most popular in Nigeria, Located in the town of Nike in Enugu East Local Government area of Enugu State. Nike lake was made popular as a result of the Nike Lake resort and hotel built within the lake environment. The Nike Lake resort and hotel serves as an ideal spot for leisure and picnicking. The famous Nike lake resort and hotel which is located within the lake environment offers accommodation, a beautiful edifice comprising of 216 air-conditioned bedrooms and suites of International standard. The hotel has an excellent restaurant, cocktail bar, lounge and business center with the largest conference hall in Enugu.
- OGURUGU RIVER
Ogurugu River is situated in the town of Ogurugu in Uzo-Uwani local government area of Enugu state. The river is the largest in Enugu state and is fed through the Anambra river.
Aside Ogurugu River in Uzo-Uwani is Obinna River in Adani Town which supllies water to farmers in Adarice and snakes through Ojor, Asaba, Iggah villages and then to Omambala Rivers in Ogurugu.
- EZIMO WATERFALL
Ezimo Waterfall, reputed as the tallest in Enugu State is a wonder in it’s extremity; cascading off a surface coal escarpment of over 200ft, into a base of sharp sand and runs down through a wavy length of rock down to Nkakwu stream where it’s mass of water forms a dry sand beach…
A tour of the waterfall leaves you refreshed, reinvigorated and in awe of the wonder and beauty of nature.
- EZEAGU TOURIST COMPLEX
The Ezeagu Tourist Complex is in the south-central part of the State and has an unimaginable beauty.
The complex has a waterfall, a three-kilometer cave, a natural spring, and a lake.
The waterfall, called ‘Ogbagada,’ is about 23 meters high and falls from an awe-inspiring cliff with a unique, thunderous sound.
The site’s splendor is expressed by the almost 5 kilometers long Obinofia cave, whose size and compartments are awe-striking.
It has several tunnels heading out in different directions.
Some of the tunnels are inter-connected, often opening up into large chambers.
These chambers are two to three meters high and up to ten meters wide.
For the adventurous, a lamp will come in handy while exploring the caves in Ezeagu Tourist Complex.
You can relax and enjoy a quiet time at the complex resort center with the environment’s serenity soothing you therapeutically.
- CAVE OF GIANTS, NGWO
Enugu has lots of caves!
A significant part of these caves in Enugu State is the Ngwo Caves and waterfall.
This cave is termed the cave of Giants due to its towering heights.
To get to the face of the cave, you would have to go past the picturesque Ngwo Pine Forest.
The floor of the cave has a gently flowing stream of spring water.
A narrow, but high opening leads into the crevice, and the loud splashing of the crystal clear waters announces your arrival.
The Cave is naturally sculpted in limestone and decorated by an enchanting waterfall dropping from a small opening at the roof.
Behind the big rock where the cave is placed, there are more caves carefully tucked into the rock.
While some of these caves are within reach, you need a good climb to access others.
The waterfall also has warm and hot water that comes out together from one source.
- AWHUM CAVE AND WATERFALL
Awhum waterfall is in Amaugwe village of Awhum town close to Awhum Monastery in Udi LGA, few kilometers away from the city.
The waterfall flows from a massive protrusion of granite rock and is warm all year round.
The fall is about 30 meters high and people believe it has therapeutic effects due to its proximity to the Monastery.
The Cave and waterfall’s environment has evergreen vegetation and varieties of biological species, including wild animals and a wide range of birds.
This is one of the most popular caves in Nigeria and a must-visit when you’re in Enugu State.
- AKWUKE BEACH
Enugu is not a coastal city, but nature manages to provide an alternative spot for beach lovers in and around the state.
The Akwuke beach is a riverbank with lots of sand that stretches over a vast expanse of land.
It gives one the beach feeling and provides satisfaction for those who love to feel the sand below their feet.
The beach, located in Akwuke, a town a few kilometers away from the city, is a sure site for picnics and a popular location for photoshoots, music videos, and movies.
- OPI LAKE SYSTEM
Opi lake system are group of lakes situated in the town of Opi in Enugu State. Opi lake system are nine lakes which are connected to one another to form a network. The lakes are Iyi-ikpa, Varavara, Ogeleube, Iyiuga, Isiogba, Ojii, Orufu, Adekwegbe, Okpo, (the largest among the lakes are ojii and Adekwebge ). Ojii is located at Ugwu-ozioko and is about 9m deep and 7km wide. Its depth and width enables the smooth movement of locally made canoe from one end to another. The nine Lakes are a tourist attraction in Opi because of its natural environment.
- NGWO PINE FOREST
Ngwo Pine Forest is notable as a place to get in touch with nature or just enjoy a picnic.
With its beautiful canopy coverings of pine trees, it is no wonder the Ngwo pine forest is a popular tourist destination for picnics and also for meditation.
Ngwo Pine Forest is notable as a place to get in touch with nature or just enjoy a picnic.
With its beautiful canopy coverings of pine trees, it is no wonder the Ngwo pine forest is a popular tourist destination for picnics and also for meditation.
- ADADA RIVER
Adada River is located at the very centre of so many LGAs in Enugu State.
You can access it from Nkpologu community in Uzo Uwani, Lejja in Nsukka, Igbo Etiti via Ogbede and Akpakunme Nze in Udi via Akpugo community.
It’s topography is so plain that farming is an ongoing process in the arena.
Gifted to the environment is Adada Secondary School turned ESUT but relocated.
The River has strata of deepness for all categories of swimmers both amateur and professional. Upper most upper,
Upper stream, middle stream and down stream
The citing if a Dam in the arena created further attractions to behold.
Conclusively, Enugu State is a must-visit state for tourists from in and out of the country.
Get your prepared, get a map of Enugu State, and explore the places of attraction the state offers.
Compiled by Mike Ebuka
