Nigeria is gaining attention as a travel destination, not because it’s flawless, but because it’s complex, culturally rich, and increasingly accessible. With a mix of history, music, food, and landscapes, travelling to Nigeria in 2025 offers real-world experiences that aren’t curated for cameras.
At Heritage Trails Nigeria (HTN), we help curious travellers and culture enthusiasts unlock this side of Nigeria, one trip, one city, one local guide at a time. From curated tours to local logistics, HTN connects you to Nigeria beyond the headlines.
Over 250 Ethnic Groups
Nigeria comprises multiple ethnic identities, Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa-Fulani, Tiv, Ibibio, and many more. These cultures are still intact and visible through:
Local art scenes and heritage museums (e.g., Benin Royal Museum)
Annual festivals like Osun-Osogbo, Argungu, and Ofala
Every day, community practices, from open markets to religious events
HTN Tip: Explore our Osun Sacred Grove Immersion Tour or a Crafts & Cuisine Weekend in Benin City with vetted hosts and guides.
Facts: The Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) reported in early 2025 that cultural tourism accounted for over 38% of domestic travel activities in the previous year.
With increased funding from both state and federal agencies, cultural sites like the UNESCO-recognised Osun Sacred Grove and the Nok Terracotta excavation points in Kaduna State are being restructured to host more visitors.
Many tour operators are now curating specific ethnic immersion packages that allow travellers to spend days in local communities learning indigenous crafts, language basics, and family customs. Like HTN’s Obudu Mountain Escape package.
Want to experience true community life? HTN offers ethnic immersion trips in Plateau, Osun, and Delta States.
Not Just Jollof
Jollof rice is well known, but Nigerian food is regional and specific. Travellers can experience:
Diverse Ecosystems
Another reason why travelling to Nigeria in 2025 is different from other African destinations is the sheer variety of natural wonders still flying under the radar.
Nigeria isn’t often marketed for its nature, but it has a variety:
Facts: Nigeria’s biodiversity is among the richest in West Africa. According to the Federal Ministry of Environment, over 7,895 plant species and 1,135 animal species (including 247 mammals) have been identified in the country.
Conservation projects in Cross River and Taraba States are now partnering with global climate and eco-tourism organisations to protect endangered species like the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee and the Cross River gorilla.
Meanwhile, hiking trails in places like Erin Ijesha (Olumirin) Waterfalls are getting safer signage and eco-hostels for overnight visitors.
Skip the stress — HTN packages include Obudu cable car rides, Yankari safaris, and overnight stays at eco-lodges.
ALSO READ: Why Agodi Gardens Remains Ibadan’s Best-Kept Nature Escape in 2025
Global Fame, Local Roots
Yes, artists like Burna Boy and Tems are global, but music is a part of daily life in Nigeria. You don’t need a concert to feel it:
Facts: Nigeria is currently the fastest-growing music market in Africa. The Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) recently collaborated with UNESCO to document indigenous musical styles like Apala, Fuji, and Ogene for digital archives. Across cities, live music spaces like Freedom Park Lagos, Terra Kulture, and The Basement Gig are drawing in both locals and foreigners.
In many parts of Nigeria, people host visitors out of habit, not strategy. It’s not about customer service but social responsibility. That shows up in:
Facts: The growth of alternative accommodation platforms like “Trek Nigeria” and “HostNaija” has diversified lodging options. In 2025, over 30% of foreign travellers used locally hosted homes or eco-lodges, according to the Nigerian Travel Index.
States like Plateau and Ekiti have implemented tourism tax waivers for home-hosted lodgings, encouraging even more locals to participate in rural hospitality.
Easier Travel Logistics
With these pecks:
Local startups are also simplifying tourism with rental services, guides, and travel planning support.
Facts: In 2025, Nigeria added biometric immigration kiosks at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (Lagos), reducing clearance time to under 10 minutes for tourists. New roads and bus terminals are under construction in major hubs like Enugu and Port Harcourt.
Ride-hailing apps such as InDriver and Bolt are now available in over 20 cities. The Nigerian Railway Corporation also reopened passenger train routes from Lagos to Ibadan and Abuja to Kaduna, offering an affordable and scenic way to move between tourist zones.
Northern Frontier Vibes
Yankari Game Reserve (Bauchi) – Safari, warm springs, and rare wildlife
Arewa Cultural Tour (Kano–Zaria) – Ancient city walls, dye pits, and traditional palaces
South-South Serenity
Obudu Mountain Resort (Cross River) – Chilly mountain air, cable cars, and nature trails
Calabar Carnival Experience – Africa’s biggest street party every December
Southwest Stories
Lagos Heritage Circuit – Freedom Park, Nike Art Gallery.
Osogbo Art Trail – Sacred Grove, Susanne Wenger shrine, and tie-dye workshops
Middle Belt Escapes
Plateau Rock Formations (Jos–Shere Hills) – Hiking, ziplining, and eco-lodges
Tiv Cultural Stay (Benue) – Drumming circles, farming festivals, and homestays
Ready to build your custom Nigeria travel experience?
HTN connects you with guides, local hosts, and cultural hubs across every region.
