Akwa Ibom City Overview
Akwa Ibom was created as a state out of Cross River State on September 23rd, 1987. It is located in the South-south geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Akwa Ibom is currently Nigeria's highest oil and gas producing state. Akwa Ibom International Airport is located in Uyo, the capital of the state. The state also has 2 sea ports on the Atlantic Ocean and the Ibaka world-class seaport is currently under construction at Oron.
There are numerous tourist centres in Akwa Ibom, namely; National Museum of Colonial History, Amalgamation House, Presbyterian Church built by Mary Slessor, Ibeno Beach, ?Godswill Obot Akpabio International Stadium, Rafia City, Lord Lugard's Residence, Unity Park. Others are the Ibom ?Plaza and Ibom Tropicana Entertainment Centre.
Akwa Ibom Christmas Carol Festivals held in December at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium is the single largest Carol service in the world. The carol singers number more than 25000. The Carol has been declared by Guinness World Records as the largest gathering of carol singers in the world.
Akwa Ibom Heritage Festival (IBOMfest) also holds in December to showcase the historic sites, sculptural landscapes, topography, cuisines, arts and crafts of Akwa Ibom. Other popular festivals are the Usoro Usuuk Udia?(new yam festival) celebrated in June and September; the Usoro Iyak (fishing festival); the Nsit Ubium aquatic festival called Mbre Mmong and the Usoro Ekoon festival of colourful masquerades.
Akwa Ibom is located in the Niger Delta of Nigeria, expect to see a lot of rivers and fish-cuisines.
Best Time to Book a Flight to Akwa Ibom
Passengers interested in attending the Akwa Ibom Christmas Carol Festival and Akwa Ibom Heritage Festival (IBOMFest) are well-advised to book early flight tickets as Akwa Ibom receives its largest number of tourists, visitors and leisure travellers around this period. Hotel rates and flight fares rise sharply during this period.
Peak Season:?November and December remain the busiest time of the year for Akwa Ibom due to the Christmas fever and the two major December festivals i.e. Akwa Ibom Heritage Festival (IBOMFest) and Akwa ?Ibom Christmas ?Carol Festival. These two festivals are the single largest event in the state. Flight fares and hotel rates are most expensive at this time and expect to meet a large number of tourists.
Off Peak Season: Akwa Ibom experiences 10 long months of rainy season. June to September is the dedicated months for celebrating New Yam Festival, but it doesn't receive much visitors. Tourism is on the low during the rainy season because of the daily torrential rainfall. Visitors and tourists to Akwa Ibom at this time should travel with umbrellas, overalls and cardigans. Cheapest flights to Akwa Ibom are available during the rainy season.
Best Time to Visit Akwa Ibom
Akwa Ibom experiences more than 10 months of rainy season and a short dry season lasting from November till January. Temperatures are relatively constant throughout the year, with temperatures ranging from 25?C to 28?C.
November to December is the best time to visit and enjoy Akwa Ibom due to the numerous festivals held around this time. Also, the downpour would have reduced at this time, tourists can visit the numerous tourist attractions and beaches in Akwa Ibom.
Getting Around Akwa Ibom
Walking: Akwa Ibom has been reconstructed into a pedestrian-friendly city. Visitors can walk over short distances to malls and markets.
Tricycles:?Tricycles (keke) are popular as a means of covering short distance in Akwa Ibom. The tricycles are cheap and fares start from N50.?
?Hail one from the roadside?and specify your destination.
Bikes are ubiquitous around major stops convey passengers over short distances in Akwa Ibom. Expect to pay at least N100 for a short trip.
Private taxis?operate in Akwa Ibom. Hail one by the roadside too and specify your direction. The taxis are not registered or painted.
Arrivals need not worry about language barrier in Akwa Ibom 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 as much as possible due to 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, club and the mall, keep your wallet safe.
Do not wear heavy jewelry or dress provocatively. Avoid scenes of mob action.
Ensure you know your destination before hailing a taxi.
Although, the natives also speak English, Converse in pidgin, especially in the market to get good deals.
Akwa Ibom International Airport
Akwa Ibom International Airport (IATA: QUO; ICAO: DNAI) is the airport serving Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State in South-South Nigeria.
Akwa Ibom International Airport was opened on September 23rd, 2009. The airport includes both a domestic and international terminal. ?Airlines operating in the airport fly to Lagos and Abuja.
Arik Air, Aero Contractors, Air Peace and Dana Air operates domestic flights to Lagos and Abuja from Akwa Ibom International Airport.
Akwa Ibom International Airport is 24 km Southeast of Uyo and 16 km Northwest of the river port in Oron. It is?easy to get transportation from the airport to the city centre.
Moving from Akwa Ibom International Airport to Akwa Ibom
Taxis: Taxis are the most common and safest means of moving into the city from the airport. The taxi can be found at the airport or hailed directly by the roadside. Taxis in Akwa Ibom are not registered. Hail a taxi and negotiate a fare with the driver.
Staying in Akwa Ibom
Hotels.ng offers cheap hotel booking in Akwa Ibom. There are several luxury and budget hotels offered to visitors and tourists to Akwa Ibom. Budget and luxury hotels can be booked on hotels.ng.
Le Meridien Ibom Hotel is located at Nwaniba Road, PMB 1200, Uyo, Nigeria. It is some minutes from the Akwa Ibom International Airport.?Le Meridien Ibom Hotel is a luxury hotel decorated with lush essence and comfort.
De-Castle Luxury Home is located at Plot 25, Unit F, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state. Guests in the hotel get easy access to several landmarks and institutions within the city.
Davok Suites is located at Plot S.9, Unit G, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state. The rooms come with an array of great facilities and services.
Entry Point Hotel is sited at No 31 Atiku Abubakar Way, Uyo, Akwa Ibom. The hotel offers well-furnished rooms in a conducive environment.
Duran Hotels is sited at 6 Atakpo Street, Off Nwaniba/Oron Road, Uyo, Akwa Ibom.?The rooms are fitted with air-conditioners, a cosy bed, a sofa and a private bathroom.
Venus Hotels and Suites is a hospitality outfit with modern facilities to guarantee comfortable and pleasurable relaxation. It is less than 30 minutes drive from the Ibom Airport.
Hotel Milan is situated at 9, Ita Oboho Street, Off Ron Road, Behind NNPC Mega Station, Uyo, Nigeria. The rooms are well-equipped to make guests have a comfortable stay.
Accommodation per night costs N5000 or less for budget hotels while luxury hotels offer per night stay from N10000 upwards.
How to Budget a Trip to Akwa Ibom
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.
The cost of foods and drinks in Akwa Ibom is cheap. Fish is a popular cuisine and is regularly added to the menu. Eat roast chicken, boiled plantain and sauce. Tourists to Akwa Ibom can expect to pay a minimum of N700 for food in downtown restaurants, while restaurants in the highbrow area are more expensive, costing at least N3000.
| Items |
Price (N) |
| Meal, Inexpensive restaurant |
700 |
| Meal for 2 at upscale restaurant |
3000 |
| Beer |
350 |
| Bread |
300 |
| 1 pair of jeans |
4250 |
| Toothpaste |
300 |
| 1 dozen egg |
550 |
| 1 bottle of red wine |
2500 |
Flights from Akwa Ibom to Other Local Cities
Airlines operating scheduled domestic flights to Lagos and Abuja are Aero Contractors, Air Peace, Arik Air, and Dana Air.?The airlines operate the flights from Akwa Ibom International Airport to Abuja's Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport and Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
International Flights to Akwa Ibom
No international flights operate to Akwa Ibom International Airport. International departures are operated from Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja and Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
Flights to international cities like Accra, Johannesburg, Nairobi, New York, Beijing, Hong Kong, Amsterdam and London are operated by Turkish Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Lufthansa, Africa World Airlines, Delta Airlines, and Etihad Airlines.
Airport Tips at Akwa Ibom International Airport
Come to the airport with all necessary documents.
Akwa Ibom International Airport houses banks where travellers can exchange currency and do all bank transactions.
Do not board taxis or tricycles with strangers. Hire a taxi if unsure about your safety.
Negotiate your fare with the taxi driver.
Keep an eye on your luggage during the search.
Keep your baggage safe. Ensure your belongings are not open and easy to sight.
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