Enugu, nicknamed the ?Coal City? is the capital of Enugu state in South-Eastern Nigeria. Two Igbo words, ??n? ??gw??? were combined to name this city famed for its coal-rich hill tops. ??n? ??gw??? meaning ?hill top? denotes the city?s hilly geography under which coal was discovered. Enugu is inhabited majorly by the Nike subgroup of the Igbo people.
The Europeans commissioned Albert Ernest Kitson in 1903 to lead a mineral resources exploration in the area. In 1909 Coal was discovered in Enugu at the Udi Hills and this led to the construction of the Eastern Railway to transport coal to the port at Port Harcourt.
Enugu was then developed by the Europeans to become one of the few West African cities with an European touch.
Enugu was declared the capital of the Eastern Region after Nigeria?s independence in 1960. Some of the tourist attractions are National Museum of Unity commemorating the end of the civil war; Awhum Waterfall and Cave; Ngwo Caves, waterfall and Pine Forest; Udi Hills, the site of the first coal mine; Milken Hills; the Ani Ozalla Lake of the mysterious crocodiles; and the Ezeagu Tourist Complex.
Popular festivals are the New Yam Festival and the?Mmanwu (masquerade)?festival.
Enugu City is the main filming location for the Nigerian movie industry known as ?Nollywood.?
Best Time to Book a Flight to Enugu City
Naturally, "the early birds get the biggest worms" is the mantra for airlines. Tourists and visitors to Enugu should book their flights early especially if attending the festivals. The Christmas season is also a very busy travel season for the Igbos as they all go home to celebrate Christmas with friends and family.
Peak Season
The dry season is the best time for tourists to visit the City of Enugu.?Mmanwu festival holds in November during this period. New Yam festival holds just at the tail end of the rainy season. Hence, for visitors interested in witnessing the rich Igbo traditional festivals, the dry season is the best time. Book an early flight at the peak of rainy season.
Off Peak Season
The rainy season is the planting season from April to September. The Igbos are busy with farm work at this period, and so do not expect to see many festivals. ?Also, there is a difficulty in accessing the Udi and Ugwueme Hills as the hills are slippery and the roads muddy. The tunnels beneath the hills may also be flooded making it impossible to tour the old coal mines. However, the cheapest flights can be booked during this period.
Best Time to Visit Enugu
Enugu City experiences 3 types of weather: the recurring rainy and dry season separated by the dusty Harmattan weather. It has a mean temperature of 26.7?C making it one of the most habitable cities in Nigeria.
Travellers to Enugu city are advised to visit this ?British Developed City? during the dry season after the rains have subsided. High Humidity is common during the rainy season but the temperatures are never unbearable.
The New Yam Festival, Mmanwu (Masquerade) Festival, Christmas and other cultural festivals are observed in Enugu City. Travellers to the City will experience cold during the Harmattan season which usually occurs from November through January. Take cardigans and be braced for the dryness.
Getting Around Enugu
Road Transport is the easiest and cheapest means of getting around in Enugu. Particularly common are taxis, tricycles, and buses. Fares of these transportation means range from N50 to N100 depending on your destination.
Taxis?
Common but expensive if hired as a drop. It could cost as much as N1500 for a single drop to a choice destination. However, joining a shared passenger taxi is cheaper as it costs between N50 to N100 to any destination.
Buses
Although often overcrowded serve as the Coal City Shuttle. The buses are operated by the state government to convey many passengers to major stops in the city.
Bikes?
You can hail a bike directly from the roadside to your destination. Do ask the locals for the average price to your destination to help you haggle properly.
Security Tips/Advice
- Generally, do not walk or drive at night to prevent robbery, bullying and other little vices.
- If walking, ensure you face the traffic as the drivers and bike riders can be reckless.
- Also, do not dress provocatively to crowded places.
- All personal belongings such as jewelry, phones and wallet should be kept safely.
- Avoid confrontations at all times especially at bars and restaurants.
- Always ask a native for directions as they are friendly and willing to help.
Akanu Ibiam International Airport
Enugu Airport renamed as Akanu Ibiam International Airport (IATA: ENU; ICAO: DNEN) serves Enugu, the Capital City of Enugu State in South Eastern Nigeria. The airport also serves nearby cities like Onitsha, Nnewi, Awka, Abakaliki, Nsukka, Okigwe, Afikpo, Ugep, Orlu, Idah, Otukpo, and Ogoja.
The airport was renamed after the Afikpo (Ebonyi State) born medical doctor and statesman, ?the late Akanu Ibiam. The Akanu Ibiam Airport has undergone major renovation and expansion works to?upgrade it to an international airport ready to serve the teeming passengers, visitors, tourists and business travellers in the South East.
The following airlines operate scheduled domestic and international flights from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport.
- Aero Contractors
- Air Peace
- Arik Air
- Med-View Airline
- Ethiopian Airlines operating international flights to Addis Ababa and Lome.
Enugu airport is accessible to all commuters via the airport road. It is just 2.9km from the city centre.
Moving from Akanu Ibiam International Airport to Enugu Centre
Akanu Ibiam International Airport is just 2.9km away from Enugu and so it takes less than 5 minutes to drive to the airport. There is usually no traffic on the airport road and so departures and arrivals to the airport should expect a smooth ride.
Taxis and Buses are the major means of transportation to Enugu from the airport.
Taxis can be located outside the airport. Hail one and be sure to negotiate a fare with the driver before boarding the taxi. If you are taking a drop, expect to pay at least N1500 depending on your destination. A shared taxi is cheaper at N100.
Buses?also convey passengers to the city centre from the airport. Look out for one outside the airport and make sure it is driving towards your destination.
Staying in Enugu
Hotels.ng offers cheap hotel booking in Enugu City. There are some luxury hotels in the city, but more commonly are budget hotels offered to visitors, business travellers and tourists to the cultural city of Enugu.
Dmatel Hotel and Resort
Situated at Independence Layout, Enugu, it offers relaxation and leisure at the outdoor swimming pool surrounded by a beautiful landscape and garden.
Nike Lake Resort/hotel
Located on the banks of Lake Nike in Enugu. It has 216 beautifully furnished rooms and suites. It is a perfect weekend getaway for singles, picnicking friends and even couples. It has breath-taking views in a secure and tranquil environment. The Airport is just a 15-minute drive to the hotel.
Amazon Hotel
Budget hotel at Njemanze Street and has charming, spacious, and comfortable rooms in a serene and quiet location ideal for relaxation.
Hotel Toscana
Offers a premium lodging arrangements and luxurious bedding in a fully air-conditioned room. It is an ideal lodging for travellers and residents.
Gold Value Hotels
Located in New Haven Enugu. Situated in a clean and safe environment, guest can relax in the beautiful surroundings of the hotel. The hotel is about 3km from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport.
Blue Island Hotel & Suites
Situated on Independence Avenue close to the Akanu Ibiam International Airport. Business travellers and government officials will enjoy staying in the hotel.
Bridgewaters Hotel
Budget hotel offering guests services and facilities for relaxation and accommodation.
Check out Hotels.ng to get the best prices on hotels in Enugu.
How To Budget a Trip to Enugu
There are several local?delicacies in Enugu. Common delicacies popularly served in restaurants in Enugu include Okpa, isiewu, abacha, fiofio and nkwobi peppersoup. The cost of these delicacies start from N500 depending on where you are buying.
Accommodation cost in Enugu for a standard room starts at?N5000 per night. Luxury hotels in upscale areas definitely cost more. You can expect per night stay in these hotels to start at N15000.
| Items |
Price (N) |
| Meal, Inexpensive restaurant |
700 |
| Meal for 2 at upscale restaurant |
3000 |
| Beer |
250 |
| Bread |
300 |
| 1 pair of jeans |
4250 |
| Toothpaste |
300 |
| 1 dozen egg |
550 |
| 1 bottle of red wine |
2500 |
Flights from Enugu to Other Local Cities
The following airlines operate scheduled domestic flights from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport.
- Aero Contractors
- Air Peace
- Arik Air
- Med-View Airline
The airlines operate scheduled domestic flights to and from Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.
International Flights to Enugu
Only Ethiopian Airlines operate international flights?to Addis Ababa and Lome from Akanu Ibiam International Airport.
Flights to other cities of the world such as Dubai, New York, Accra, Munich, Amsterdam, London, Zurich, Barcelona, Madrid and Cairo are operated by airlines based in Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja and Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.?Departures to these cities should book a flight to either Lagos Airport or Abuja Airport.?International flight fare starts from N300000.
Airport Tips at Akanu Ibiam International Airport
Akanu Ibiam International Airport houses banks where travellers can exchange currency and do all bank transactions.
- There is a lounge and lounge facilities in the airport terminal.
- Free WiFi is available in the airport terminal.
- Do not worry about language barrier as the drivers speak English and are courteous.
- You can also hail a taxi to city centre outside the airport terminal. Be sure to negotiate a good fare before commencement of the journey.
- Keep your baggage safe. Ensure your belongings are not open and easy to sight.
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