Things to do if you’re in Jos this weekend

Plateau State is blessed with beautiful and impressive rock formations, as well as various other interesting geographical features that make it a good place to unwind. Indeed, the state boasts of natural, scenic vistas and breath-taking sceneries with excellent weather, while the people are rich in cultural and historical heritage. Riyom rock formation This is […]

Plateau State is blessed with beautiful and impressive rock formations, as well as various other interesting geographical features that make it a good place to unwind. Indeed, the state boasts of natural, scenic vistas and breath-taking sceneries with excellent weather, while the people are rich in cultural and historical heritage.

Riyom rock formation
This is a rock formation that has a unique structure. It is located 25 kilometers along the Jos-Akwanga road. It got its name because it is located in Riyom town. The spectacular nature of the rocks laying on top of each other, always captivates visitors.

Rayfield Holiday Resort
It is one of the exciting places to visit in Jos. The resort is located about 4 kilometres from the city. It has a scenic environment that offers tourists fun activities llike boating, swimming, sun-bathing, horse-riding, sport-fishing and indoor games. The resort has what it takes for leisure and tranquility.

Les Rosiers Bed & Breakfast
The Les Rosiers Bed & Breakfast is ideally located in the GRA of Jos. The old colonial bungalows are situated in the middle of a large compound full of trees and birds. It is a paradise of quietness in the heart of the city. It offers breakfast of all kinds, including African and foreign dishes.

Chinese Garden
It is situated in Jos City along Fidelis Tapgun Road.  Everything inside this garden–trees, flowers, all kinds of plants are said to be brought from China. The garden has an impressive range of species of flowers and trees that makes it beautiful and scenic. It also offers African and Chinese dishes. You can also find fresh Fura da Nono.

Vintage Art Gallery
This is located along Tudun Wada Road, housing lots of paintings depicting Nigerian history. There also are paintings depicting the colonial era.

Jos zoological garden
Almost 60-years-old, the Jos Zoological Gardens boast of being the oldest zoo in Nigeria. Located within the city centre, the zoo presently accommodates about 130 animals, including lions, chimpanzees, crocodiles, Hyenas and lots of other animals. From the exterior, the zoological garden is surrounded by trees and a stream that cuts through the edge, providing a natural abode for the animals.

Net Café
Net Café, located in Jos along Ahmadu Bello Way, is not far from the popular Terminus. It’s easy to locate with the big signage over the front door of the European-styled pavilion and with lots of plants at the frontage.  The café is airy with a certain arty appeal to it. There were lots of artworks hanging on the walls, with the white lighting producing an ambiance of purity; in corners they have potted plants.
The meals are affordable and placing an order is easy. Net Café has a variety of offerings.

Motna
Near the zoological garden is the Museum of Traditional Nigerian Architecture, (MOTNA), the Jos Monuments Gallery where historical artefacts are preserved and the “100 steps to Afizere settlement,” a stone carved staircase that leads to the top of a hill and is historically said to be the ancestral home of the Afizere tribe when they migrated from Chawai in Southern Kaduna. The sight of antiquated vehicles, mining machines and engines which were either presented to the government of Nigeria, or constructed in Nigeria such as the Locomotive Engine also called Dan Zaria in Hausa, built in 1921 for the Nigeria Railway and an antiquated Ford car presented by Ford Motor Company, Canada on the occasion of Nigeria’s Independence in 1960 sounds like a worthy adventure.

Assop Falls
If you are coming into Jos from Abuja, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to make a brief stop at Assop waterfalls. Be careful not to miss the entrance as the waterfall is hidden in a forest, surrounded by rocks in the hilly Hawan Kibo Mountains. It was formed by a narrow stream, flowing in between rocks that burst out through a gorge. The Assop waterfall splashes on rocks as it cascades into a large pool of water below. No doubt you will love the power, speed and splendor of the waterfall.

Rayfield Golf Club
If you are golf lover or not, it wouldn’t hurt to visit Nigeria’s oldest golf course at Rayfield. Enjoy a drink and good company then play some golf or, better still, learn to play and have a peep at the Angus Butler Cup, the trophy that put to rest speculations on when the course was established, proving that it was actually in 1913. Besides, on a good day, you are likely to bump into top government functionaries or captains of industry who patronize the facility. 

Shere Hills
Shere Hills have undulating rocks and formations with peaks and dips that would excite a mountain climber.  It is situated about 10 kilometres east of the Jos metropolis. Its numerous peaks reach a height of about 1,829 metres of 6,001 feet above sea level. The hills make up the highest point of the Jos-Plateau and form the third highest point in Nigeria after Chappal Waddi on the Mambilla Plateau.
Several watercourses and hillocks are scattered among the highlands which adds to the uniqueness of the landscape with its cluster of hamlets and villages tucked in-between.