Nigeria, often called the "Giant of Africa," boasts diverse landscapes, including deserts, plains, swamps, mountains, and steamy jungles. It has one of the largest river systems in the world, including the Niger Delta, the third largest delta on Earth. Let's delve into the fascinating facts about the mountains in Nigeria, their significance, and the unique biodiversity they harbor.
Chappal Waddi: Nigeria's Highest Peak
Chappal Waddi, also known as the "Mountain of Death," stands at 2,419 meters (7,936 ft) and is the highest point in Nigeria. Its original name, "Gang Peak," is steeped in ancient Mambilla mythologies. It is located on the Taraba side, inside Nigeria’s largest National Park - Gashaka Gumti National Park. While lower than Mounts Cameroon, Kenya, and Kilimanjaro, its significance lies in being the highest in Nigeria and West Africa.
Many people are unaware that the highest mountain in West Africa is located in Nigeria. The average Nigerian does not know about Chappal Waddi by name.
Accessing Chappal Waddi
To reach Chappal Waddi, there is one flight from Abuja to Jalingo, the state capital of Taraba. This flight is operated by Overland Airways, once a day, from Monday to Friday. The journey includes flying from Lagos to Abuja, then from Abuja to Jalingo, before starting the journey across Taraba State.
Overland Airways is the only airline that flies into Jalingo airport. There is one flight from Abuja to Jalingo and back every day from Monday to Friday. The flight leaves Abuja at 11:00 am and leaves Jalingo at 1:00 pm every day.
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A rugged Mambilla jeep is required to travel on a dusty road for 5-6 hours. A chopper service from Jalingo airport to the foot of the mountain would cut out every single security or dust concern.
The climb itself is physically demanding, involving walking, motorbikes, a rugged jeep, a bus, and planes for hours. However, with average fitness and patience, anyone can summit this mountain.
The Expedition Experience
An expedition to Chappal Waddi requires careful planning and a team that is voraciously thirsty for adventure because many aspects of this trip are unknown.
It is important to remind everyone that safety is in two parts - the actual safety and the perception of safety. Both elements are important because one without the other is useless. The North is not a monolith of insecurity and the North East is not a monolith of terrorism.
The National Park Service works hard to ensure that visitors are as safe as could be, especially with trained armed rangers who are with climbers all the way from Serti to the Summit.
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A sign post was erected at the summit. This sign marks the summit of Nigeria; about 10 feet away. The hills behind are actually lower than the signpost, but the perspective of the camera makes them look higher. GPS trackers show that the height is either 2,419m or 2,420m above sea level.
In planning this expedition, no opportunity was spared to ask questions. The team from Gashaka Gumti National Park prepared the entire NPS team for the arrival. Permission was given to donate the sign at the summit and the team helped beyond their regular job descriptions.
The views are out of this world and this experience is absolutely, 100% worth it!
There’s a way that a mountain comes to life in the Harmattan season that’s bare and vulnerable. It will be great to see it when it is all lush and green in the rains.
Shebshi Mountains
The Shebshi Mountains are a mountain range in eastern Nigeria, extending approximately 100 miles (160 km) in a north-south direction between the Benue and Taraba rivers. Its Dimlang (Vogel) Peak is one of the highest points-with an elevation of 6,699 feet (2,042 metres)-in Nigeria, rising above the central highland area.
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Freshwater Ecosystems in the Obudu Mountains
The Obudu Mountains, along the border of Nigeria and Cameroon, are known for their biodiversity. A study on the freshwater conservation value of these mountains revealed that the sites have very high conservation values. They have rare, notable, and threatened invertebrates in the freshwater systems, which should be protected better.
The freshwater systems of the Obudu mountains had more species of stress-sensitive mayfly, stonefly and caddisfly larvae when compared with similar studies in Nigeria. The Afundu stream in the mountains in particular had as many as 30 species of these stress-sensitive insects.
Two endangered damselflies, Africocypha centripunctata and Allocnemis vicki, were found in the Obudu mountains, and some rare mayfly species at Agbokim waterfalls, Kwa river and the Obudu mountains. The three sites have very high conservation values based on their species compositions and several biological indices.
These sites need protection because they could support other rare and threatened plants and animals - not all of them aquatic. There is also a need for a more detailed ecological inventory of plants and animals in the pristine freshwater systems of Nigeria and their associated riparian forests.
Climate in Nigeria
Nigeria is in the tropics, where the climate is very humid and seasonally wet. Nigeria has majorly four climate types; these climate types are generally gradated from south to north.
Climate Types:
- Tropical monsoon climate (Am)
- Tropical savanna climate
- Hot semi-arid climate (BSh)
- Highland climates
Rainfall in the coastal belt of the Niger Delta is heavy due to the closeness of the Delta region to the equator. The tropical maritime air mass (MT) is responsible for Nigeria's rainy season.
Nigeria's seasons and temperature variance are determined by rainfall with rainy season and dry season being the major seasons in Nigeria.
Semi-temperate weather conditions prevail on the highlands in central Nigeria above 1,200 metres (3,937 ft) above sea level, namely the Jos Plateau. Temperate weather conditions occur on the highlands along the Nigeria Cameroon border, in the eastern part of Nigeria.
Conservation and Tourism
Nigeria has many freshwater ecotourism attractions, including the Ikogosi warm spring, the Osun-Osogbo river, and the Olumirin, Owu, Arinta, and Ekor waterfalls. These sites are popular due to their scenic beauty and lush forests, but human activities pose a growing threat.
Considering the fact that ecotourists often visit the sites, they need to be well protected. Since the Cross River National Park shares borders with the Obudu mountains, biodiversity conservation in the region would be greatly enhanced if the National Park Service of Nigeria extended its operations in the mountains. It could also partner with other organisations to do this.
Table of Key Mountains and Features
| Mountain/Feature | Elevation | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chappal Waddi | 2,419 m (7,936 ft) | Taraba State | Highest point in Nigeria |
| Dimlang (Vogel) Peak | 2,042 m (6,699 ft) | Shebshi Mountains | One of the highest points in Nigeria |
| Obudu Mountains | Above 1,584 m (5,197 ft) | Nigeria-Cameroon Border | Known for freshwater biodiversity |
| Mambilla Plateau | Above 1,524 m (5,000 ft) | Eastern Nigeria | Temperate climate |
| Jos Plateau | Above 1,200 m (3,937 ft) | Central Nigeria | Semi-temperate climate |
Nigeria's mountains offer a blend of adventure, natural beauty, and ecological significance. Efforts to promote sustainable tourism and conservation are essential to preserve these treasures for future generations.
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