Obudu Mountain Resort
Obudu Mountain Resort is a ranch and resort developed in 1951 by M. McCaughley, a Scottish rancher who first explored the mountain ranges in 1949. The resort is found on the Obudu Plateau in Cross River State. It was after camping on mountaintop of the Oshie Ridge for a month, that M. McCaughley returned with Mr. Hugh and Dr. Crawfeild to develop Obudu Cattle Ranch in 1951.
The resort is close to the Cameroon border in the northeastern part of Cross River State, approximately 110 kilometres (68 mi) east of the town of Ogoja and 65 kilometres (40 mi) from the town of Obudu in Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River State and the plateau is known to be a habitat of rare species of birds. It is about 30 minutes’ drive from Obudu town and is about a 332 kilometres (206 mi) drive from Calabar, the Cross River State capital and it is 1576 metres above sea level.
Since 2005, a cable car climbing 870 metres (2,850 ft) from the base to the top of the plateau gives visitors a scenic view while bypassing the extremely winding road to the top. The hilltop is about 11 km of winding road from the base. When one is driving up takes about 25 minutes, but using the cable car takes just about 6 minutes. Tourists who visit this resort are always eager to get on this cable car and enjoy the fun of riding to the top of the resort in this car, as it affords tourists enlivening and exciting vistas of green rolling hills. It is difficult to resist using the cable car which most tourist have come to conclude is the magnum opus of Obudu Mountain Resort. This Cable Car transport has been described as the longest cable car in the African continent.
Obudu Mountain Resort has become the choice destination for many tourists because of the wide ranges of services it offers. These services include Free parking space, Pool, Fitness Center with Gym / Workout, Room, Bar / lounge, Tennis court, Babysitting, Airport transportation, Business Center with Internet, Access, Hot tub, Restaurant, Banquet room, Meeting rooms, Concierge, Dry cleaning, Laundry service. Charter air service is available to the Bebi Airport which lies between the village of Obudu and the resort.
The rooms in Obudu Mountain Resort are made up of chalets, standard room, executive room, huts to presidential suites. Although this resort is open to visitors throughout the year, the period between October and February is the best time to visit, as it is largely claimed that the flowers blossom in fullness during this period.
The Obudu Mountain Resort is one of Africa’s finest and most interesting and spectacular tourist destinations. The resort has capitalized on its altitude to provide guests with the best view points and fresh, invigorating mountain air. A short walk takes you to the spectacular grotto. This natural swimming pool with sparkling pure water provides a clear view of the long winding waterfall and green mountain ranges surround the natural reserve. The reserve is home to rare species of birds and other animals such as the gorilla and drill monkey.
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