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The Pride of Nigeria |
ECOLOGICAL ATTRACTIONS:
 Old Residency Museum, Calabar
Wilderness experience: A trip to the Park is primarily important for exploring one of the oldest rainforest in the world. The dense canopy, the tree trunks with their huge buttresses, the coolness of the environment, the freshness of the air and the sweet songs of the forest can never fail to lift even the most casual visitor into that tranquil realm of the soul. The 12km Erokut jeep track and nature foot trails at Erokut – Akamkpa have bee specially developed for this experience.
Gorilla tracking: Of the many animal life forms in the Park, the most important is the Cross River Gorilla a sub species that is endemic to the Park in all of West Africa. Those wishing to track down the gorilla especially in Okwangwo Division, must be prepared however to camp in the Park for a minimum of one week at least.
Game viewing: Visitors to the Park may be lucky to view animals while on a visit to the Bashu salt lick in Okwangwo Division or Mfameyin salt lick in the Oban Sector of the Park or Erukot Gate near the Park Head Office, Akamkpa.
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Mountaineering/Hiking: Active tourist can dare the Mbe Mountains by climbing to the summit or they can make the long haul trekking/climbing from Butatong through Balegete to the summit of Obudu Plateau.
Bird watching: The montane grassland and relic forests of the Obudu Plateau offer opportunity for bird watching. There are over 200 species on the plateau.
Botanic garden and Herbarium: The well laid out botanic garden and herbarium in Butatong are open nature classrooms, which offer opportunity for environmental education and biological research. Important species, which will be noticed in the garden are Anceistocladius Korupensis and Prunus africana.
Sport Fishing: Visitors can also go on sport fishing in the Park.
Boat cruise: Tourists can cruise on the Cross River in the Park’s Motor boat.
Eco-Destination Linkage
 TINAPA Business Resort, Cross River State
The ultimate viability and popularity of ecotourism in this Park lies in the gradual development of the Kayang Tourist village. This will further enhance the exploitation of the unlimited ecotourism resources of the Mbe Mountain Gorrilla, the Pandrillus and Cercopan Monkeys Conservation Projects, and the Obudu Cattle Ranch Resort with its all- year-round temperate-like climate, captivating panoramic view, overhead cable cars and rolling hills. This would no doubt boost the Calabar Export Processing Zone and the famous Tinapa Business & Leisure Resort - now commissioned and in operation. Tinapa is Africa's Premier Business & Leisure Resort; the first of its kind in Nigeria, and perhaps the West and Central African sub-regions modeled after similar Export Centres in Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, Bombay and Bangkok in terms of modern eco-friendly tourism.
Visiting Period:
The best time to visit the Park is November to May. Due to its highly forested nature, recreational pursuits are done mostly on foot/trekking with patience and endurance. Armed ranger escorts and Park interpreters are available to guide visitors while on tour of the Park
Cultural Features
Cross River State has rich and diverse cultural heritage which is a great compliment to the existence of the Cross River National Park. Activities like the annual “boat regatta” Yam Festival, Calabar X’mas carnival and the popular “Edikanikong” cuisine add colour to the natural endowments.
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