Calabar is the capital of Cross River State, on a hillside above the Calabar River near the border with Cameroon. It is the home of the Efik people, whose traditional ruler is the Obong of Calabar, and was one of the earliest centres of European trade and missionary activity in Nigeria.
Calabar served as the capital of the British protectorate in the region until 1906 and still has many colonial-era buildings. It is known for its clean, green streets, its relaxed pace, its food and, above all, its December festival season.
Top things to do in Calabar
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Join the Calabar Carnival
Every December, Calabar hosts one of Africa's largest street carnivals. Costumed bands compete in a long parade through the city, with music, dance and elaborate floats, and the whole month of December is filled with concerts and events.
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Visit the Old Residency museum
The Old Residency, a prefabricated colonial building from the 1880s, houses the National Museum, which covers the history of the Calabar region, the palm oil trade, the slave trade and colonial rule.
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Walk along the Marina
The waterfront Marina has the Slave History Museum, which tells the story of the Atlantic slave trade through Calabar, and open spaces by the river where people gather in the evening.
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Meet rescued drill monkeys
A rescue and breeding centre in Calabar cares for drills, one of Africa's most endangered primates, and other monkeys. Visitors can learn about conservation work in Cross River State's forests.
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See Kwa Falls
Kwa Falls, about an hour from the city, drops into a deep forested gorge. A path with steps leads down to the pool below, and the area borders Cross River National Park, which protects some of Nigeria's largest remaining rainforest.
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Eat Efik food
Calabar is often called Nigeria's food capital. Try edikang ikong, afang soup, fisherman soup and ekpang nkukwo, a dish of grated cocoyam wrapped in leaves.
Upcoming events in Calabar
See more events in Calabar
Festivals and culture
The Calabar Festival runs through December, with the Carnival as its centrepiece, along with concerts, a cultural parade and many smaller events. Efik masquerade traditions such as Ekpe are part of local cultural life.
Food to try
Try edikang ikong, afang soup, ekpang nkukwo, fisherman soup, white soup (afia efere) and periwinkle dishes. Street snacks include roasted plantain, roasted fish and spiced snails.
Best time to visit
December, for the Calabar Festival and Carnival, when hotels fill fast, so book early. November to February is the drier season. Rain falls for much of the rest of the year.
Getting around
Taxis and tricycles are the main way around the city. Calabar has an international airport with domestic flights, and Kwa Falls and the national park are best reached by hired car.
Questions about Calabar
When is the Calabar Carnival?
The Calabar Carnival is held in December as part of the month-long Calabar Festival. The main parade usually takes place in the last week of the month.
What food is Calabar known for?
Calabar is known for Efik dishes such as edikang ikong, afang soup, fisherman soup and ekpang nkukwo.
What can I visit near Calabar?
Kwa Falls and Cross River National Park are about an hour away. The Obudu Plateau is further north in the state.
How do I find events in Calabar?
Browse upcoming carnival events, concerts, parties and free events in Calabar on Shows.ng, and filter by today, this weekend or this month.
