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The Pride of Nigeria |
Accessibility
Visitors from the North and the Middle Belt can access the Park either through the Abuja -Makurdi -Ikom highway, or Yola -Wukari -Katsina Ala - Ikom highway. From Ikom, visitors can proceed either to Butatong if their interest is to visit Okwangwo Division, or to Akamkpa, if their interest is to visit Oban Division.
Visitors from the South-West and South-South can also reach the Park by either the Aba-Ikot Ekpene-Calabar highway, or the Port Harcourt-Ikot Abasi-Uyo highway. At Odukpani junction, visitors are to turn left and make a 20 - minutes drive to the Park's Head Office at Akamkpa where able staff are waiting to receive and guide them accordingly. Butatong and Erokut are the main entrances to easily have a glimpse of the Rainforest Park.
Sea Link:
Cross River is the only Park in Nigeria within the vicinity of a seaport. Sailors and passengers wishing to visit the Park may berth at the Calabar International Free Trade Zone Seaport. Once through with seaport entry formalities, visitors may either go straight to Akamkpa or visit the Calabar Contact Office of the Park at the Federal Secretariat Complex, Calabar, for further enquiries.
Air Link:
The closest airport is the Margaret Ekpo International Airport at Calabar. Lagos and Port Harcourt Airports may also be used to access the Park. There is also the Bebi Air-strip near Obudu Cattle Ranch which links you to the Okwangwo Division.
Visitor Facilities
Butatong Base Camp in Okwangwo Division has facilities like trails, herbarium & botanic gardens, etc. A visitor can patiently take a tasking walk into the rainforest, or spend time appreciating the arboretum. Simple furnished chalets and basic visitor facilities e.g. self-catering have been provided here, even though limited.
Akamkpa: A moderately furnished 8-bedroom Guest-House youth hostel complete with electricity and water supplies as well as satellite/T.V facilities are available to visitors. However, these facilities have limited patronized by visitors.
Kayang: There is a Research Station here which can also double as a Tourist camp for youths, especially students and others in the academia to while away time in the course of research work, etc.
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