Calabar Carnival 2015: Last Minute Plans

December 28 doesn't seem very far away all of a sudden!

As we ease more into the holiday season, the self-dubbed biggest street party in Africa looms closer on the Calendar. Just in case you're still undecided on where you would like to have fun this holiday, it's not too late for you to make plans now to attend the Calabar Carnival.

I imagine many of you out there really want to attend but don't know how to go about it, seeing as you probably have never been to Cross River State before.

Well, that never stopped anyone, why should it stop you?

Admittedly, first time visits to any city in Nigeria without a guide can be tedious. Where to stay, the best places to eat, shop and have fun will be questions persistently gnawing away at your mind until you find someone to help you with them. Well, this post is here to help with that.

1. Have a Hotel Booking Website Book a hotel for You

You don't have to wait till you arrive in Calabar to start worrying about where you'd stay for the entirety of your trip. Depending on your budget, there are a ton of hotels in Calabar that will solve your need for accommodation. You can book a hotel in Calabar close to the Carnival ahead of time and arrive on schedule and check in without hassles.

2. Plan a Budget

You do not want to be the guy who traveled to the carnival without an estimated budget they planned to stick to. The entire city is going to be agog with fascinating deals and offers on display that the temptation to splurge will be immense. Before you set out, decide your expense budget and, perhaps, the things you'd like to pay for before leaving. It will be difficult to stick to your budget, but it sure beats not having one in the first place.

3. Understand the Program of Events

Though the carnival is very much a large street party, there are a number of structured event planned around it by the organisers - The Cross River State Carnival Commission. There is a dedicated website for the carnival with contacts you could call for any related information. You can prioritize events and ensure you're present for the ones that interest you the most.

4. Get a Camera (Or an Extra Phone Battery)

How else would people know that you were at the carnival? Okay, seriously, you might want to take an actual camera along with you on this trip to capture enthralling moments, as there will be lots of them. You might find that smart phones may prove unreliable during the course of the events as the battery will drain out long before the day is over.

5. Explore Cross River

Your trip doesn't have to end with the carnival. You can either decide to arrive before it to visit other amazing sites that put the State on map or you could choose to stay back a few more days to do that. Places you can check out while you're around include the Obudu Mountain Resort (or Obudu Cattle Ranch Resort) and the Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort.