Skip to main content

Top 8 Travel Destinations In Taraba State

Taraba State is located in the North-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria. It was carved out of the old Gongola State on August 27, 1991, by the former military government of General Ibrahim Babangida. The state derived its name from the Taraba River which crosses the southern part of the state, and both the river and the state are rightly called “Nature’s Gift to the Nation.”


With 16 local governments which comprised of Ardo Kola, Bali, Donga, Gashaka, Gassol, Ibi, Jalingo, Karim Lamido, Kurmi, Lau, Kurmi, Sardauna, Takum, Ussa, Wukari, Yorro, and Zing; the state has a population of 2,300,736 (2006 population figures). It is bordered to the west by Benue and Plateau States and to the east by Cameroon. Jalingo is the capital city of Taraba State.

There are several tourism potentials within the state, and some of them are examined hereby:

1. Mambilla Plateau

The Mambilla Plateau is about 1,830 metres above sea level and arguably one of the highest mountain points in Nigeria and Africa. It is located in Gembu, Sardauna local government area and made up of mountain chains of Adamawa, Obudu, Shebshi and Atlantika. Driving up the winding road up the plateau takes between 20-30 minutes of careful driving, and you feel welcome to the cold mountainous air at the peak on arrival. The peak is free of all insects, temperate crops such as avocado pear and strawberries are widely grown on the plateau. Mambilla plateau is considered the coldest place in Nigeria.

2. Gashaka-Gumti National Park

Covering an area of 6,731 square metres, the Gashaka-Gumti National Park is arguably the largest national park in Nigeria. The name is composed of the Gashaka park in Taraba State and the Gumti park in Adamawa state – but both were merged into one in 1991. There are various flora and fauna that fascinate visitors to this park, and some of the common animals here are elephants, chimpanzees, lions, hyena, roan antelope, wild dog, and giant eland among strange birds and other fascinating creatures.

3. Donga River Basin Forest

The Donga River is located at the southern part of Buru village with a distance of about 10 kilometres from the border with Cameroon. It is largely lowland and one of the best lowland forests used for bird-watching in the country. There are over 190 bird species in this river basic forest, and here you can be certain of seeing rare birds like the forest francolin, dusky long-tailed cuckoo, white-belied kingfisher, spotted honey guide, hartlaub’s duck, green hyla, African pied hornbill, and the red-headed malimbe among others.

4. Ngel-Nyaki Forest Reserve

The Ngel-Nyaki Forest Reserve is nearly 60 kilometres west of Gashaka-Gumti National Park, and it is much closer to Yelwa in situated between Serti and Gembu. There are over 50 species of tall, emergent trees in this forest reserve, and you stand a chance of seeing the 86 bird species which have made this reserve their eternal home. Wild creatures to see at this forest reserve include Apalis, banner man’s weaver, cross ley’s ground thrust, chimpanzees, buffalos, various monkeys, antelops and other attractive creatures.

5. Marmara Crocodile Pond, Wukari

The Marmara crocodile pond is situated in Wukari and reputed to be an ancient pond full of legendary crocodiles which are largely sighted on Fridays. There is a fable making the rounds that these crocs in ancient times went into town to pay homage to Aku Uka, the supreme head of the Jukuns. If you’re ever in Taraba State, then you mustn’t leave until you’ve seen these legendary crocs that live at peace with animals and humans without hurting anyone.

6. Kpambo and Fikyu Rock Formations

If you wander where you saw a rock formation that has a human appearance with a flowing gown, then it must be the Kpambo and Fikyu rock formations in Taraba State. This is a sprawling rock formation that begs exploration and you’d enjoy exploring. Taraba State is largely a land of hills and mountains and lowlands that fascinate visitors all year round.

7. Barup Timga Waterfalls

With tens of natural waterfalls in Taraba State, the most popular is the Barup waterfall as well as the Tunga waterfall situated within the Gashaka-Gumti national park. The federal government is proposing constructing a hydroelectric dam project for the Mambila plateau at the Barup waterfall, and it is a site to behold any day.

8. Bitako Hills

The Bitako Hills is a sprawling rock formation situated in Zing, and the sight as well as the spread of the formations is enchanting to both natives and visitors alike. It is a must-see tourist attraction that you must see when visiting the state.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Gombe Police to Begin Enforcement of Tinted Glass Permit October 2nd

By Kamal Hammajo| September 28, 2025 The Gombe State Police Command has announced that it will commence full enforcement of Motor Vehicle Tinted Glass Permits across the State starting October 2nd, 2025. CP Bello Yahaya psc(+) Commissioner of Police, Gombe State Command  In a public notice issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Buhari Abdullahi, residents and motorists are urged to ensure they obtain the necessary permits before the enforcement date to avoid sanctions. The police emphasized that the measure is aimed at enhancing public safety and ensuring compliance with existing traffic regulations. Motorists who own vehicles with tinted windows are advised to apply for their permits through the official Police permit portal: https://www.possap.gov.ng The Command called on the public to cooperate fully with law enforcement officers during the exercise and to share this information widely to ensure maximum compliance.
Post a Comment
Read more

STRENGTH WITHOUT HANDS: The Inspiring Journey of Zubairu Yusha’u

By: Kamal Hammajo | October 11, 2025 In the quiet village of Lakkau, in Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State, the story of a young man unfolds, a story as painful as it is inspiring. His name is Zubairu Yusha’u, a boy whose life changed forever six years ago in the most cruel and unimaginable way. At just 14 years old, while studying in an Almajiri school, Zubairu was wrongly accused of stealing a mobile phone. What followed was not discipline, but torture. His seniors tied his hands, beat him through the night, and left him without care. By morning, instead of being rescued, his teacher decided to “teach him a lesson” he would never forget. Days passed without proper treatment, and infection set in. In the end, Zubairu lost both his hands. “They lied to my father,” he recalls with quiet strength. “They told him blocks had fallen on me. That was how I lost my hands.” For most people, such a tragedy would mark the end of dreams. But for Zubairu, it became the beginning of a...
Post a Comment
Read more

Police in Gombe Arrest 53-Year-Old Woman for Drug Dealing, Suspected Tricycle Thief, and Four Robbery Suspects

By: Kamal Hammajo | September 9th, 2025 The Gombe State Police Command has recorded significant breakthroughs in its fight against crime, with the arrest of a 53-year-old suspected drug dealer, a tricycle theft suspect, and four young men allegedly involved in armed robbery. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, said the arrests were made on Monday, September 8, 2025, during separate operations across Gombe metropolis. According to the police, operatives of the Anti-Violence Squad arrested one Rakiya Ahmed, aged 53, at Barunde Quarters, By-pass Area. She was allegedly found in possession of eight blocks of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis sativa. The suspect is currently in custody, while investigations continue. Police said the case would be transferred to the appropriate unit for prosecution once concluded. In another operation earlier in the day, detectives from Gona Division arrested Auwal Suleiman, 36, of Bagadaza Quarter...
Post a Comment
Read more