Discovering the North- Plateau and Bauchi State

When I drew up my travel goals for the year, the north was not anywhere on the list. That list needs an edit because I have visited at least 3 places, and I intend to visit 2 new countries also not on the list.

The only thing I knew for sure at the beginning of the year was that I would take some days off my annual leave for my birthday. The destination was not fixed, I thought of doing a European tour to visit at least Belguim, Germany, and Lithuania. Up until the moment I changed my mind,  I was so sure I would take the West African road trip for my birthday. Then I went to Togo for Easter which was about 10 days before my birthday, so the list was down to Grand Popo in the Benin Republic. I can't say for sure the moment Bauchi and Jos came into my head. All I know was that I started researching, flights and routes.

I got in touch with my friend Lilian, who I have not seen since she left Bonn for Nigeria. She currently lives and works in Jos, so I knew there was no way I would go that far without meeting her.

I flew into Abuja on 25 April and got on a Plateau express Sienna car to Jos. I was told the distance is about 3 hours but I spent 5 good hours on the road. The car drove through Kaduna state into Jos.

For this trip, I had no itinerary. Especially for Jos, I only wanted to relax, catch up with my friend and see sights whenever I can. For Bauchi, the Yankari Games Reserve was the destination.

In Jos, I visited the Jos Museum and Wildlife Park. Lilian took me out to a club which was pretty decent but empty on my last night.

I spent a night in Bauchi, Yankari was a disappointment and not worth the money I spent on transportation traveling all the way from Bauchi. Because Yankari is not a regular transport route, I had to rent a private cab to drive me down there and back. I spent eleven thousand Naira on cab alone, one thousand five hundred Naira entry fee from the first gate to find out that there was no room available at the resort. I was happy I refused to go on the safari because I would have cried to pay Six thousand Naira just to see Antelopes, Baboons, and Warthogs.

The Wikki Warm Spring which I had to pay Five hundred Naira for the only attraction that made sense. Unfortunately, Miss Red was in town so I could not take a dip. There is a Museum in the Resort which is the only free attraction.

Wikki Warm Spring

I visited the tomb of Nigeria's first and only Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. The tomb is beautiful and worth a visit if you are ever in Bauchi. I returned to Jos immediately after I left the tomb.

Exterior of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Tomb

Jos to Bauchi is two hours by cab. On my way to Bauchi, I was the only female in the cab and I remember my mom calling on the way telling me to make sure I am not the only female in the cab. I just smiled told her "Mo ti gbo"

Just like in Lagos where everyone is assumed to understand Yoruba, a lot of people spoke Hausa to me, especially in Jos.

I found out Boko Haram actually started in Bauchi state before moving on to Borno state.

There are a lot of Military check points, made me feel like I was in a war zone. But with the understanding of the Northern situation, I was not really bothered.

I was relatively safe while up North, except for when passing through Kaduna state on my way to Jos. The language was a problem but I was always able to find someone who understands English small. On my way back, the car went through Nasarawa state.

I did enjoy the trip asides from the Yankari adventure.

I would most likely go back to Plateau state again; this time around for the waterfalls and rock formations. Bauchi not sure I will be visiting again.

Have you been to Jos or Bauchi? What was your experience like? Would you recommend it or visit again?

♥Lara