Originally called ‘Gwash’ until anglicized to ‘Jos” by the colonialists,
the city is one of the most picturesque in Nigeria. A choice
destination for tourists interested in the Middle belt region of the
country, it is features a temperate climate, magnificent geography,
landmarks, and mind-blowing tourist attractions.
Aside from
occasional unrests driven by underground terrorists, the city is calm
and nurturing. It is full of amazing contrasts, and never ceases to stun
with its magnitude of dimensions and themes which are there to be
discovered, immersed and understood by the inquisitive visitor. The city
may be an acquired taste and your first impressions straight off the
bus may not be positive. But the vibe and drive of Plateau’s capital are
infectious if you give it time. Jovago.com showcases the beauty called
Jos!
The Jos Museum
Established
in 1952 by Bernard Fagg, the Jos Musuem is one of the oldest museums in
the country. A centre for research into prehistoric culture, it boasts
of Nok terracotta heads and artifacts dating from between 500 BC to AD
200 as well as life-size replicas of a variety of buildings including
the walls of Kano and the Mosque at Zaria to a Tiv village.
The Jos Wild Life Park
Set
up in honor of the African heads of state by the Organisation of
African Unity (OAU) to in response to a mandate set aside one third of
their landmass as conservation areas, the wild life park is almost as
old as the city itself. It is habitat to a variety of animal species
including reptiles, mammals, primates, and birds, and certainly a treat
for lovers of wildlife.
Assop Waterall
Occurring
naturally at the bottom of the famous Hawan Kibo, Assop waterfall is a
truly scenic landscape with a corresponding warm ambience. The spot is
perfect for picnic and other social events.
Lodging
From hotels to camping, the town boasts a wide range of accommodation for all budgets and all tastes.
With
Jovago.com offering about 190 hotels here, first-time visitors are
provided with as many as options as possible. Finding the right hotel in
a Jos however is easy as Jos is not an expensive city, and you are
bound to have a good trip.
Popular hotels for tourist and visitors include Hill Station, Crest, City Lodge and Metro Prime hotels.
Eating
Jos
as a city has come a long way in recent years with regards to dining.
Restaurants in Jos cater to all tastes. From cheap meals to quality
dining, there is something for every palate and wallet.
Try one
of the old fashioned bukkahs for tasty local treats, or make a
reservation at one of the cities premiere restaurants, many of which are
located away from the tourist corridors. You can taste traditional
foods of the Hausas who dominate the location or take a culinary trip to
other parts of the country as well at top restaurants during your stay
in Jos.
Although haute cuisine may be pricey, one may eat in Jos
fairly cheaply and steer clear of fast foods bristos at the same time.
Some of the famous restaurants include; King Bite, Garden Chinese and
continental, Elysar Chinese and Lebanese restaurant and Bevelyns
restaurants.
Shopping
Unlike Lagos, Abuja or Port
Harcourt, Jos is not for hard-core shoppers, but visitors can still find
plenty to spend their well-earned money on.
Jos is seeing true
growth in the number of shops available and the number of brands that
are starting to storefronts. Whether it is boutiques, shopping
complexes, dusty family stores or local markets, a day spent shopping
can result in both bargains and treasures.
Fun Fact
The Jos Plateau Indigo bird, a small reddish-brown bird, is found nowhere else on earth besides Plateau state, Nigeria