Overview Of Kano City
Kano is a city located in Kano State, Northern Nigeria. It was created on May 27, 1967, by the then federal military government out of the Northern Region. Initially a part of Jigawa state, they were separated from each other in 1991. Kano, as a state, is home to over 9 million people who are mostly Hausa men and women. It is the most populated state in Nigeria and the second largest in land area, behind Lagos State. Kano is the major hub for commerce in the northern part of Nigeria, with an economic focus on agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and recreation, and transportation. Popular tourist attractions here include Dala Hills, the historical kurmi Market, the 500-year-old Kofa Mata dye pits, Baguda Lake Resort etc. The annual Durbar Festival is the most celebrated cultural and religious event in the city, hosted by the prestigious Emir of Kano. The city also has an international airport serving both domestic and international airlines, making business and pleasure travels easy for travellers from outside and within the country.
Best Time To Book Flights to Kano
As with most airlines, the price of tickets is generally cheaper when they are first sold. It is therefore advisable for travellers to book tickets months before the actual date of departure.
The peak season for flights to Kano falls in periods of festivities. For instance, tickets are more expensive when the Durbar Festival is about to hold. This is because the Durbar festival is more or less a tourist event and quite a lot of people want to go to the city at the same time. It is quite logical that the prices of tickets are higher in these periods when there is a high demand for flight reservations, and considering the fact that there are not a lot of domestic airlines operating flights into the city.
Asides festivals and periods between December and February when the city is cooler, the demand for flight tickets is low. This is because of the weather conditions, like other cities in the north, is very hot and might be near unbearable for visitors. Travellers at this time might only include tourism enthusiasts and business travellers. Prices of tickets, if not cheaper, are still affordable nevertheless and travellers can take advantage of the prices then.
Best Time To Visit Kano
Kano is known for it's hot which abound almost round the year except on a few occasions between December and February when the atmosphere becomes cooler. The city experiences the tropical savanna climate.
A good knowledge of the weather conditions in Kano must be had by travellers before they visit the city. Kano is typically very hot almost throughout the year, from March to November. It is therefore advisable that people travelling to the city within this period go with light clothing. Sweatshirts and other thick fabrics would be useless at this time of the year. Items like caps and sunglasses are also needed to protect travellers from the scorching sun.
However, it is cooler between December and February, so, sweaters and boots are ideal items of clothing at this time.
Annual Events Celebrated In Kano
Durbar Festival
The Durbar festival is one of the many highlights of visiting Kano. The festival, which is hosted by the emir of Kano, is a procession of several cultural and religious activities marking the end of Eid el Fitr Sallah celebrations in the state and is an occasion attended by a large number of people. The Jahi race, a celebration of the ancient horse culture, is the most integral part of the Durbar where a large group of horsemen are stationed in front of the emir and other invited dignitaries at the palace. The horsemen then race across the open court at top speed with their swords drawn into the air and stop just a few feet from the Emir to salute him. A pulsating round of gunshots would then follow the performance. It is said that over 2,000 horses participate in the Jahi race.
Getting Around Kano
The most common means of transportation in Kano are the motorbikes while the other option is the blue and yellow cabs that can be flagged anywhere in the metropolis. Transportation costs are generally at a minimum of a hundred naira from one location to another within the metropolis.
Motorcyclists in the Kano metropolis can be reckless while driving, even as crowded as the city is. Travellers should always caution the riders when they notice that the speed is becoming unreasonable. This can be done by hand signals if travellers do not speak the local language.
Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport
Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport is a public and military international airport located in Kano and named after a northern politician, Aminu Kano. Kano Airport is owned and operated by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria. It serves Kano state?and other parts of Northern Nigeria. It was a Royal Air Force station in Nigeria before She got her independence in 1960. It is the oldest airport in the country. The IATA code for Kano airport is KAN while the ICAO code is DNKN. There are separate international and domestic terminals at the airport. Passengers can enjoy a number of services at the airport which include VIP Lounges for business class travellers, bars, and a post office. Major international flights out of the airport are from airlines travelling to Mecca on holy pilgrimage.
Airlines Operating From Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport
Kano Airport serves passenger flights to both local and international destinations. Popular airlines operating from the airport include Azman Air which flies to domestic locations in Abuja and Lagos, EgyptAir flies to Cairo, Ethiopian Airlines to Addis Ababa, Med-View Airlines to Lagos and Jeddah, Tarco Air Soon and Sudan Airways operate identical flights to Khartoum, Saudia Airlines to Medina and Jeddah, and then Turkish Airline, a major international airline operating singular flights to Istanbul, Turkey.
Moving From Kano Airport To Kano
Arrivals at the Mallam Aminu International Airport would find private taxis just outside the airport. The travellers and the driver should negotiate fares before they embark on any journey into the city. Travellers who don?t have too much luggage can share bus rides with other passengers at a reduced cost.
Staying In Kano
There are a number of hotel accommodations available for both business and leisure travellers. Hotels are available for both budget and luxury categories.
Tahir Guest Place
Tahir Guest Place is located at 4 Ibrahim Natsugune Road, Kano. ?Prices for room categories range from N20, 000 ? N45, 550.
Prince Hotel
Prince Hotel is located on Tamanu Road, off Audu Bako Way, Kano. Room categories include the standard room (N26,680), executive room (N32,480), villa (N38,220), and 2-bed villa (N46,200).
Grand Central Hotel
The Grand Central Hotel is a luxury accommodation located at 1 Bompai Road, Sabon Gari, Kano.?Prices of room categories range between N16, 000 ? N35, 000, depending on the room category.
Royal Tropicana Motel
You can book rooms for as low as N4, 500 at the Royal Tropicana Motel. The motel is located at No. 294/295 Zungeru Road, Kano.
Nassarawa Guest House
Nassarawa Guest House is located at 314, Lamido Road, Kano. The rooms are furnished with air conditioners, refrigerators, comfortable beds, and satellite TV. You can book these rooms for as low as N7, 000.
Reservations at these hotels can be made online via hotels.ng.
How To Budget A Trip To Kano
There are several food outlets in the Kano metropolis depending on your budget. Low budget travellers can look out for roadside canteens where they can enjoy local delicacies like Masa, Pate, Tuwon Shinkafa, Miyan Kuka, Burabisco, and Tuwon Dawa. they can also try the spicy kilishii (dried thin meat) that is mostly associated with the northern people.
Travellers looking to enjoy top quality dishes and cuisines in classy restaurants can try the following highly rated restaurants in the city.
Cilantro Restaurant and Lounge
This restaurant is open every day of the week and offers a wide selection of items on its menu including Indian and Chinese cuisines, Vegan options, and Halal delicacies. Guests at the restaurant can enjoy the delicacies for prices between N1, 600 - N4, 800.
Corner
Corner, at Lafia Road, serves exquisitely prepared Indian cuisines, Arabian grilled chicken, barbecues, as well as Cappuccinos. They also run a full bar where drinks can be bought. Prices range between N1, 920 ? N7, 360. Guests can make reservations, takeout, and request delivery of food.
Pizza & Burger Hott
Pizza & Burger Hott is located at 131, Lamido Crescent, Kano. You can enjoy quickly yet deliciously prepared pizza for an affordable price. The pizzas come in different varieties and toppings depending on your choice.
Golden Palace
Guests can get excellent chinese food at an affordable price less than N5000.
Lebanese Club
Lebanese Club is a ?memebers only? restaurant but entry can be negotiated for as little as N200. You can enjoy any one of kebabs, hummus, and falafel at an affordable fee.
Cost Of Common Items In Kano
| Food |
Average Cost ( ?) |
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district |
867 |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) |
1,150 |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast |
417 |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk |
417 |
| 12 eggs, large |
375 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes |
190 |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese |
200 |
| 4 apples |
200 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes |
313 |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola |
258 |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day |
276 |
| Housing |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area |
112,500 |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area |
35,000 |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat |
9,333 |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) |
250 |
| Clothing |
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) |
5,500 |
|
1 pair of sports shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) |
30,000 |
| 1 pair of men?s leather business shoes |
23,000 |
| Transportation |
| 1 litre (1/4 gallon) of gas |
145 |
| Monthly ticket public transport |
3,000 |
|
4 rolls of toilet paper |
300 |
| Tube of toothpaste |
250 |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city |
800 |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district |
5,000 |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes |
300 |
Domestic Flights From Kano To Other Cities
A couple of airlines operate scheduled domestic flights from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport to certain cities in Nigeria.
| Airline |
Destination(s) |
| Aero Contractors |
Abuja, Lagos |
| Arik Air |
Abuja, Enugu, Lagos |
| IRS Airlines |
Abuja, Lagos |
| Med-View Airlines |
Lagos, Kaduna |
Return flights from the Kano Airport to Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos features a stop-over in Kaduna International Airport, Kaduna.
International Flights To Kano
Major airlines operating international flights into Kano include EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines, and Saudia.
Countries from which these international flights are operated include Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia.
People Who Like Kano Also Like?
Lagos
Visitors would enjoy travelling to Lagos for its entertainment factor; the city is always awash with activities almost every hour of the day. From beaches to art galleries, intercontinental restaurants, museums, theatres, and parks and musical concerts, visitors can never be bored on their trip to the city. Lagos is as well the commercial centre of not just Nigeria but for all of Africa. It is, therefore, a most ideal location for people looking for business opportunities. Flights within Nigeria begin at 40,000 NGN or more depending on the location.
Enugu
Enugu is also known as the coal city. Visitors would enjoy the variety of igbo traditional dishes available in different parts of the city including the popular Isi Ewu soup. Enugu is also home to beaches, caves, waterfalls, hills, and the Ezeagu Tourist Complex that would all make the visit enthralling.