Abuja to Makurdi By Road: A Road Traveller's Guide
Makurdi is the capital of the Benue state of Nigeria. The city is located in central Nigeria along the Benue River, which is the second longest river in the country.
Makurdi is home to Benue State University and the Federal University of Agriculture. ?With an estimated population of 600,000 residents, the city was founded in 1927 after which it developed into?a transportation and market centre.?It is now a major transhipment point for cattle from Nigeria?s northern states. From June to November, when the Niger River has high water, Makurdi serves as a port from which goods, including locally grown sesame seeds and cotton, are shipped to Lokoja?and to the Niger River Delta ports.? The town is a local trade centre for yams, sorghum, millet, rice, cassava, shea nuts, sesame oil, peanuts (groundnuts), soybeans, and cotton raised by the Tiv, Idoma, and Igede people of the surrounding area.
Makurdi is known for its serene, fascinating and friendly environment. It is a good place for sightseeing while driving around or taking a brisk walk as well as picnicking.
Makurdi is approximately 300km from Abuja.
Choosing A Bus To Makurdi
There are several factors to consider before choosing a mode of transport from Abuja to Makurdi. Before booking a bus, ?you will have to consider the price of the bus fare and compare it to your?budget. Prices?vary from one transport?company to another, it is advisable to investigate?as much as possible in order to find a transporter that offers a price you are comfortable with. It would also be advisable to choose to travel from Abuja to Makurdi with a transport company which is within the closest?proximity to your home?to avoid missing the bus departure time. The bus benefits?are also very important. ?Be sure to do your own research to get an idea about the comfort level of the buses each transport company uses. Different companies offer different?perks like discounts for children and students or cab services to hotels in Makurdi.
Finding Makurdi Bound Buses from?Abuja
You may choose to board a bus from Abuja to Makurdi from any of the following locations; Benue Links Park Average Price: N1500 Tel: ?08065044161,08036128931 The most legitimate way to travel from Abuja to Benue is by Benue Links. ?Benue Links Nig. Ltd is owned by the Benue State Government. Its Head Office is situated along Gboko road near the Foodbasket Roundabout, Wurukum, Makurdi, Benue State.?This is where your trip to Makurdi will terminate. The Benue Links Abuja terminal is located beside Rajab Plaza, Opposite Area three (3) Junction, Durumi. Faith Motors Limited You may also choose to travel from Abuja to Makurdi using Faith Motors. Faith Motors?Limited parks are located at?various locations in Abuja. The addresses?are: Nyanya Park; By Head Bridge, Nyanya, Abuja Mararaba Park: Addo Plaza, By Sharp Corner, Mararaba, Abuja Cader Park M/V Garden, Abuja Jabi Motor Park The Jabi Motor Park is city's main motor park, and it is located on the Obafemi Awolowo Way, past Berger junction. There are a variety of buses and cars available from different smaller scale motor companies. Sharp Corner Motor Park This park is located at Mararaba. There are a variety of buses and cars available from different motor companies such as ?De Young, Ejifa Motors, Dominion Motors etc. Gwagwalada Motor Park This park is located in Area 1, Abuja.?There are a variety of buses and cars available here.Travel Time To?Makurdi From Abuja
The journey from Abuja to Makurdi by road should take about 4?hours, covering a total distance of about 300km. The route that is most often plied by transport companies to Makurdi is?via A 234 & Makurdi-Jos Rd/ A3. This road is reportedly smooth up till you reach Lafia, where there is a small stretch of bad road. Road trips are generally safer during the day as there is better visibility for drivers. The route from Abuja to Makurdi?usually has only light traffic, except during festive seasons when travellers are more likely to be on the move.
What To Pack When Travelling To Makurdi
You will be on the road from Abuja to Makurdi for 4+ hours, this means you should pack your belongings in a judicious manner. The first thing do is to determine what you would need for the purpose of your trip, it is always advisable to keep one's?packing as light as possible. Make sure your?suitcase/bag is compact, not bulky. This is because transporters charge extra for heavy bags. Also note that a ?majority of the vehicles heading to Makurdi from Abuja are small, and have little luggage space, ?hence, your bags might be loaded in a haphazard fashion. Therefore, it is best that you avoid using a ?suitcase that is fragile; a plastic suitcase may break easily. Also, any items that are fragile should not be in your?major luggage. Take a carry-on bag that contains all your valuables. On the trip from Abuja to Makurdi, there might be a stop or two depending on the transport company's protocol. There might also be long stretches of time where you may not see a town with food hawkers, so it is wise to have food items you can snack on.What To Eat
The trip from Abuja to Makurdi is a relatively short, thus there may be only a few stops. You may also purchase some food at the motor park before your departure from Abuja. Some of the usual stops are at the following locations; Keffi, Akangwa or Lafia. If a stop is made, it is advisable to purchase food at those places. You may or may not pass by some towns with hawkers ready to sell food. Thus, the best advice is to make your own arrangements.
Places to stay in Makurdi
When you arrive at Makurdi, you may choose to continue exploring the city, and this depends on the time of day. If you intend to spend days in Makurdi, you may either choose to book a hotel near your favourite attraction or one that is close to the bus terminal. The Benue Metropolitan is a good hotel for a traveller in Makurdi.
Travel Tips
- Have a form of identification on hand in case of random police checks
- Be sure arrive at the bus park on time, this will give you the opportunity to choose the most comfortable seat. Unless you are making use of a professional road transport service where you can book seats ahead of time.
- Go along with you a book or some other forms of entertainment.
- At the motor park, you will encounter?porters in search of passengers to assist by carrying their heavy luggage. These individuals may demand to carry your bags to the vehicle headed to your destination.?You have a choice to either firmly decline their services with a shake of your head and then walking past them, ?or you may choose to hand over your bags to them if they?re heavy. However, be sure to keep a close watch on the porter and your bags.
- Be careful to conserve the power on your phone battery so you can use your phone upon arrival at Makurdi.
- Confirm the exact location of the bus' final destination, in order help you choose the closest hotel in Makurdi.
- Inform your driver of any fragile items in your bag. It also helps to watch as the bags are being loaded to ensure your belongings are not crushed under the weight of other heavy luggage.
- Keep all valuables with you in your carry-on luggage.