Flights to Calabar

Calabar also called "Canaan City"?was originally called Akwa Akpa, from the Efik Language before the Spanish renamed it as Calabar. It is the current capital of Cross River?State in South Southern Nigeria. Often described as the tourism capital of Nigeria, Calabar has several landmarks that make it a travel destination for visitors and tourists. Calabar was originally a cluster of Efik settlements such as?Akim, Ikot Ansa, Ikot Ishie, Kasuk, Duke Town, Henshaw Town, Ikot Omin, Obutong, Bakassi, Biase, and Akamkpa. Calabar remains an internationally recognised seaport for the export of palm oil. It was also a major seaport in the transportation of African slaves during the Atlantic slave trade. There are several tourist attractions in Calabar which make the city a destination for visitors and tourists alike. Tourists are can see firsthand the wonders of Calabar in tourism. The natural landmarks and architectural wonders of Calabar city rightly ensure?it is a tourism destination. The tourist attractions in Calabar include:

• The Calabar International Museum
• Duke Town Church
• A botanical garden replete with different species of flora
• The Obong Palace
• Ekpo Bassey?s House
• Calabar Cenotaph
• Mary Slessor Building
• The slave History Park
• Resorts: The Marina and Tinapa Resort
• Drill Monkey Rehab Centre
• Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary
• Kwa Falls

Due to the early role it played in international trade and colonial administration, Calabar is home to some of the "firsts" in Nigeria including the earliest Military Barracks, the first Presbyterian Church in 1846, the first monorail, the first modern road network in Nigeria, oldest post office, first General Hospital (St. Margaret Hospital), first social club (Africa Club), first Secondary School in South Eastern Nigeria established in 1895. Due to the early role it played in international trade and colonial administration, Calabar is home to some of the "firsts" in Nigeria including the earliest Military Barracks, the first Presbyterian Church in 1846, the first monorail, the first modern road network in Nigeria, oldest post office, first General Hospital (St. Margaret Hospital), first social club (Africa Club), first Secondary School in South Eastern Nigeria established in 1895. The Calabar Festival and the New Yam Festival are two popular festivals in the city. ?The Calabar Festival is the strongest tourism brand attracting?custumiers, revellers and spectators to Nigeria.?Other common festivals celebrated in Calabar are Boat Regatta Festival staged at the height of the rainy season; Aji, Yala Yayawo and Atumbi Festivals; Calabar Annual International Jaz Festival; and the Calabar Annual Dance Festival. The lengthy rainy season with more than 10 months of heavy downpour is characteristic of Calabar City. New Yam Festival is also commonly celebrated by different tribes in Calabar from August to October every year. Other common festivals celebrated in Calabar are Boat Regatta Festival staged at the height of the rainy season; Aji, Yala Yayawo and Atumbi Festivals; Calabar Annual International Jaz Festival; and the Calabar Annual Dance Festival. The lengthy rainy season with more than 10 months of heavy downpour is characteristic of Calabar City.

Best Time to Book a Flight to Calabar

Calabar has an annual rainfall of 120 inches spread over more than 10 months. Tourists and Visitors to the city should best book their flights to Calabar at the height of the rains from July to September. The heavy rainfall deters tourists.

The Peak Season

November to January is the peak season for tourists to experience?all that Calabar has on offer. The Calabar Festival which is colourfully celebrated during this period means flight fares and rates will be skyrocket at the time. Tourists interested in visiting Calabar for the celebration of this festival should book early flights in the year.

Off Peak Season

Apart from the Boat Regatta celebrated at the height of the rainfall from June to July, Calabar is generally avoided during the rainy season. The heavy rainfall deters visitors movement to different tourists centres. Visitors who arrive at the peak of the rainy season will enjoy a unique and enjoyable experience as there are no queues, in the museums and major attractions. However, the cheapest flights to Calabar are booked around this time.

Best Time to Visit Calabar

Calabar experiences a tropical monsoon climate with over 10 months of rainy season and a short dry season from December to January. Temperatures are relatively constant throughout the year, with temperature variance between 25 to 28?C. The daytime and nighttime temperature makes Calabar a mildly warm city to live or visit any time of the year. Visitors to the city can expect some cold, especially during the rainy season.

Getting Around Calabar

Walking

?Calabar has been reconstructed into a pedestrian-friendly city. Visitors can walk over short distances to malls and markets.

Taxis

Taxis are the most common and safest means of moving around the city. The taxis can be found in major bus stops?around the city. Taxi costs in Calabar city range from NGN100 to 200 depending on the distance. In addition, there are special blue taxis available only for women, children and families.

Bikes

Transport passengers over short distances in Calabar City. They are faster than taxis as traffic rarely affect their movement. Although, they are restricted only to the low-brow areas of the city. A small number of tricycles can also be found in some parts of the city.

Buses

The Metro Blue buses were introduced by the government and go round the whole city of Calabar. They are also cheap and easy to board within the metropolis of the city. Arrivals need not worry about language barrier in Calabar city as most of the drivers are courteous and fluently speak English.

Safety Tips/Advice

• Always leave a space between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you.
• Night driving should be avoided s much as possible as the traffic lights can be off at night and for irresponsible driving by night crawlers.
• Ask for directions to your destination and fares for taxi rides.
• Avoid isolated or overly crowded areas especially at night.
• When visiting crowded places such as the market and the mall, keep your wallet safe.
• Do not wear heavy jewelry or dress provocatively. Avoid scenes of mob action.

Calabar Airport

Calabar Airport, also known as Margaret Ekpo International Airport (IATA: CBQ; ICAO: DNCA) serves Calabar, the capital of Cross River State in South-South Nigeria. It is located along New Ikang Road, Cross River State. The airport was renamed after one of Nigeria?s fiercest defender of women?s Rights and social mobilizer-Chief Mrs Margaret Ekpo, a native of Cross River State. Margaret Ekpo International Airport is located in Calabar?is administered by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). FAAN rated it as one of the Best Domestic Airports in Nigeria. There are a handful of Airlines operating scheduled domestic and charter flights from Calabar?s Margaret Ekpo International Airport to several domestic destinations in Nigeria.

• Aero Contractors
• Air Peace
• Arik Air
• Associated Aviation
• Overland Airways

Margaret Ekpo International Airport is quite accessible from the city centre as taxis can?be hailed directly by the roadside.

Moving from Margaret Ekpo International Airport to Calabar

Car Hire

There are several companies offering car hire services in Calabar. They have head offices at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport. The cars transport arrivals to the nearest hotels and major points in the city of Calabar.

Taxis

Taxis are the safest means of moving into the city from the airport. The taxi can be found outside the airport or hailed directly by the roadside. Taxi costs in Calabar city range from N100 to 200 depending on the distance. A drop is between N300 and N500 depending on the distance.

Staying in Calabar

Hotels.ng offers cheap hotel booking in?Calabar City. There are several luxury and budget hotels offered to visitors and tourists to the beautiful city of Calabar. Transcorp Hotels,?Channel View Hotel?are luxurious hotels.

Pearl Suite Hotels

It?is a 10-minute drive from Margaret Ekpo International Airport.

Monty Suites

It?is an awesome choice for family vacations, business trips and conference.

Mangel Hotel and Suites

It is a 20-minute drive away from the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, and just 10-minute drive to the Tinapa Resort.

Unical Hotel

It is within the University environment. The safe and serene environment, ultra modern facilities, and well-furnished rooms make relaxation easy in the hotel.

Pyramid Hotel

Itis just a 6 to 8-minute drive from the Tinapa Resort. It offers guests a good view of the beautiful Calabar City.

How to Budget a Trip to Calabar

The cost of food and drinks in Calabar city is relatively cheap as travellers to the city can get food for 1 in restaurants as low as NGN500. There are also restaurants serving dishes from other parts of the Nigeria costing as low as NGN500. The soft drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are sold at prices ranging from NGN150 to NGN500. Upscale restaurants like Tinapa Lakeside Restaurant, Chillis Cafe, Freddy's and Happy Food serve food at expensive prices. Visitors may spend between N3000 and?N5000 to enjoy dish for 2 in these restaurants. Basically, items are more expensive in the Central Business District area of the city. A lot of choice hotels can be booked on Hotels.ng at prices starting from as low as N5500 per night for budget hotels.

Flights from Calabar to Other Local Cities

Aero Contractors, Air Peace, Overland Airways, ?and Arik Air operate daily scheduled flights majorly from Lagos and Abuja to the Margaret Ekpo International Airport. Airlines operate the highest number of domestic flights from Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos?to the?Airport. Margaret Ekpo International Airport also receives its fair share of flights to and from different domestic destinations in Nigeria. Local flights from Abuja, Port Harcourt, Uyo, Warri, Asaba, Akure, Kano, Enugu, Calabar, and Benin City depart to Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar. Flight fares from different cities of Nigeria into Calabar starts from NGN25000 depending on booking time and airline. It takes about 1 hour to fly between domestic cities in Nigeria.

International Flights to Calabar

There are no inbound or outbound international flights in Margaret Ekpo International Airport. International departures take place at Abuja?s Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport and Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. Passengers can board a connecting local flight to Abuja or Lagos to board International Airlines such as Turkish Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Lufthansa, Africa World Airlines, Delta Airlines, and Etihad Airlines. International flight fare to Dubai, Paris, Munich, Frankfurt, London, New York, and Qatar starts from NGN300000. International flight time starts from 7 hours and may take as long as 12 hours to destinations like Munich.

Airport Tips at Margaret Ekpo International Airport

• Arrivals and departures can enjoy some of the basic facilities in the airport.
• There are restaurants in the airport where departures and arrivals can eat.
• Drinks and snacks are also available at the airport.
• Margaret Ekpo 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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