Kaduna, a trade centre and the major transportation hub for agricultural produce is the capital of Kaduna State in North-Western Nigeria. Kaduna was derived from the Hausa word: Kada meaning crocodile, the plural being Kaduna. Crocodiles abound in the Kaduna River.
The British founded Kaduna in 1913. The site was chosen by Sir Frederick Lugard due to its nearness to the Lagos-Kano Railway. It later served as the capital of Nigeria?s Northern Region in 1917.
Kaduna State houses the Nigerian Defence Academy, Ahmadu Bello University and several other federal institutions.
Kaduna City is home to historical and modern tourist attractions include; Kaduna Museum, The Lugard Foot Bridge, Kajuru Castle, Lord Lugard Residence, Kamuku National Park, Emir of Zazzau Palace, The Nok Village, Matsirga Waterfall, Trappco Ranch and Resort, St. Bartholomew Church and the legendary Kaduna River.
Kaduna City celebrates culture and traditions through several festivals such as the Kagoro Afan National Festival, Kalankuwa Cultural Festival, Durbar Festival, Afan Cultural Festival, the Kaduna State Festival of Arts and Culture (KADFEST), Tuk-Ham Festivals etc.
Pottery from the Nok Culture in Kaduna is highly priced as they are generally believed to produce the best pots.
Best Time to Book Flights to Kaduna City
As always, advance ticket booking gives passengers the best flight fares and rates. Tourism, business and culture are the hallmarks of Kaduna City. Booking your flights close to the Eid celebrations, Christmas or any other such festival means paying increased fares and rates for flights to Kaduna.
Peak Season
The dry season from November to March is the time tourists avoid visiting Kaduna as the temperature can be as high as 35?C. The heat can be very uncomfortable at this time of the year, with night temperature dropping to less than 12?C.
Flights to Kaduna are usually on the high during this season as many festivals such as the Kagoro Afan National Festival, Kalankuwa Cultural Festival, Durbar Festival, Afan Cultural Festival, the Kaduna State Festival of Arts and Culture (KADFEST) highly influence the fares and rates of flights to Kaduna.
Off Peak Season
The rainy season runs from April to October. High humidity, warmth and average temperature ranging from 22 to 25?C characterise this season. Cheap flights to Kaduna are more common during this season. Although it is the least favourable season for visitors and tourists, they still brace the high temperature to enjoy the many festivals that hold during the dry season.
Best Time to Visit Kaduna
Kaduna experiences the rainy and dry season like every other part of Nigeria. The Harmattan weather is, however, more pronounced here.
The rainy season in Kaduna runs from April to October. With high humidity and warmth, it is the best time to visit the city. The temperatures are bearable during this period due to the rain.
The November to March dry season is accompanied by high temperature and the Harmattan dust making tourism a tad difficult. However, most festivals hold during this season as planting has ended. Tourists especially avoid flights to Kaduna at this period due to the sky rocketing temperature variance during the day and night.
Getting Around Kaduna
Taxis
Kaduna State just launched the Kaduna Cabs Scheme to ease transportation within the city. The cabs ply major routes in the city. A short-distance pick-up and drop-off within Kaduna city may range from N200-1000. Any trip from Kaduna city to Kaduna Airport costs a flat rate of N5000. An hour trip costs N2000, while it is N5000 for 3 hours. All payments can be made through cash and with ATM cards. Kaduna taxi drivers expect to be tipped.
Uber
Uber is also common in Kaduna and offers good pricing compared to the Kaduna cabs. Note that Uber charges riders per mile when moving and per minute when idling.
Buses
There are also buses plying major routes within the city. Lookout for one going in your direction and hop on board.
Motorcycles and Tricycles
Bikes and tricycles are present in the city to commute passengers to short distances within the city.
Safety Tips/Advice
Smoking is banned in public places.
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 especially where there is a large gather of males.
Avoid religious arguments as it can quickly lead to a religious strife.
Stay safe at all times. Do not walk alone at night, if you must.
Avoid isolated or overcrowded places especially at night.
Respect the culture and religion hence do not speak provocative words or perform disrespectful actions.
Kaduna International Airport
Kaduna International Airport is the airport serving Kaduna, Kaduna State in Nigeria. The airport was opened in 1982. The Kaduna International Airport replaced the old Kaduna Airport which served as the headquarters of NAF Training Command.
The Kaduna International Airport serves both the military and civil population. Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) operates the airport.
Domestic and International flights were diverted to Kaduna International Airport for the 6 weeks runway repair closure of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.
Located just 22 kilometres to the North-West of the city, Kaduna International Airport is accessible by cabs. They can be hired from Kaduna city for N5000.
Moving from Kaduna International Airport to Kaduna
Arrivals to Kaduna International Airport can move to the city by chartering cabs at the airport with the fares starting from NGN1000 depending on the distance.
There are also passenger buses around Kaduna airport and within the city to convey passengers to various destinations at a cheap price starting from NGN100.
Staying in Kaduna
Hotels.ng offers cheap hotel booking in Kaduna. There are budget and luxury hotels in the city, but more commonly are budget hotels offered to visitors, business travellers and tourists to the cultural city of Kaduna.
Hotel Seventeen
Located at no 6 Tafawa Balewa way, Lafiya Road, Kaduna. It provides exceptional services for guests in awesome rooms with facilities for exhilarating lodging experience.
Asaa Pyramid Hotel
Situated at 13 Lafia road, off Independence way, Kaduna. This hotel boasts well-furnished rooms with great services and other facilities for lodging.
Epitome hotel and suites
Offer modern in-room amenities coupled with ultra modern facilities such as well-furnished guest rooms, a swimming pool, ample parking space, gym, restaurant, bar and lounge.
Crocodile Hotel
Located at 7b, Kanta Road, Kaduna, Nigeria. It is equipped with ultra-modern facilities to make you feel as comfortable as possible. It is flanked by 1 Division Nigerian Army Officers Mess and Retired Army Navy Airforce Officers Mess which makes it a secure
haven.
Biafra International Hotel
Located at Kaduna at 11B Yakubu Avenue off Akali Road, Kaduna North. It is a budget hotel known for its closeness to Amusement Park. All rooms are tastefully furnished with?lodging facilities.
Hamdala Hotel is located in the central area of Kaduna city, about 45-minute drive from Kaduna International Airport and about five minutes away from the city centre.
Prices for accommodation per night starts from N5000 and hotels.ng offers the best hotel deals in Kaduna City.
How to Budget a Trip to Kaduna
The cost of food and drinks in Kaduna city is relatively cheap as travellers to the city can get food in restaurants for 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.
The cost of eating international dishes in modern restaurants like Arewa Chinese Restaurant, French Caf?, and Rich Bites starts from NGN3000.
Means of transportation within Kaduna City includes taxi charter at the airport which costs at least N1000. The average cost of transport is NGN100 for buses and bikes.
Pottery is highly prized from Kaduna, while textiles are relatively cheap.
| Items |
Price (N) |
| Meal, Inexpensive restaurant |
500 |
| Meal for 2 at fast food restaurant |
2400 |
| Beer |
350 |
| Bread |
400 |
| 1 pair of jeans |
4250 |
| Toothpaste |
300 |
| 1 dozen egg |
550 |
| Suya and Fura de nono |
500 |
Flights from Kaduna to other Local Cities
Arik Air, Dana Air, Air Peace, IRS Airlines, Azman Airlines and Aero Contractors operate scheduled domestic flights from Kaduna International Airlines to other airports in Nigeria. The flights depart to Lagos, Kano, Warri, Port Harcourt and Abuja. Flight fares from Kaduna International Airport to these cities start at NGN25000.
International Flights to Kaduna
There are no inbound or outbound international flights from Kaduna 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, Ethiopian Airlines, Lufthansa, Africa World Airlines, Delta Airlines, and Etihad Airlines.
International flights to Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Accra, Algiers, Johannesburg, and Qatar, Dubai, Munich and Cairo.
Airport Tips at Kaduna 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.
- Kaduna 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.
- Hail one of the airport?taxi to the city centre outside the airport terminal. The trip to the city centre is a fixed amount of N1000.
- Keep your baggage safe. Ensure your belongings are not open and easy to sight.
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Kano
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Other popular cities frequented by tourists are Yola, Katsina, Sokoto, Lagos, Abuja, Warri etc.
