The Calabar Carnival is an annual cultural festival in Calabar, Nigeria, started in 2004 by the Cross River State government. Held in December, it spans a month with various events leading to the main street parade. The carnival celebrates Nigeria’s cultural diversity, featuring street parades, floats, cultural exhibitions, and music concerts. Each year adopts a theme reflecting cultural heritage or social issues.

It significantly boosts tourism, drawing visitors nationally and internationally, contributing to the local economy. The carnival is a platform for cultural exchange, fostering unity and national pride. Join us to experience Africa’s largest street party with thousands of visitors across the world displaying various talents for your entertainment.

transportation

COASTER BUS PICKUP
Language

English
Accomodation

6 Days - 5 Nights
Meals

Breakfast and Dinner
Best season

Christmas
Destinations

Calabar, Nigeria

Overview

Itinerary

Dates

Overview

Highlights

Cross River national park
Visit to slave museum
Drill ranch and national museum
Breakfast & dinner

Day 1 :

Arrival

12:00 PM
There are two hubs to fly into Calabar which include the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. Flights into Calabar during this carnival period are usually expensive, we always advise you to book your flights way ahead to get good fares

05:00 PM
Join other tourists who have come from other parts of the country in a pool hangout (Black Tie Event), where you all get to familiarize yourself and set the mood for the activities of the next day. You may choose to explore the clubhouse, grill, and fun activities

07:00 PM
Settle in for a sumptuous dinner at the Chester restaurant where you get to have a taste of the culinary experience of Calabar

Day 2 :

Marina resort & Drill ranch

07:00 AM
Gym work-out and aerobics

08:00 AM
Freshen up after your workout and head to the restaurant for breakfast.

10:00 AM
Explore the Marina resort where the fun and excitement of Christmas is charged with several activities happening simultaneously. First of it will be the visit to the Slave history museum, where you are taken through the harrowing experiences of men and women who lived during the time. This is an emotional experience that touches your heart and makes you view humanity from a different perspective and better living.

12:00 PM
Take a boat cruise (Ad-on) to the Twin Island. A place where the killing of twins was ended in Nigeria by Mary Slessor. While on the boat cruise, you will catch a glimpse of the floating station on the lagoon as the gentle breeze blows around you. The view on the lagoon sure encapsulate your thoughts.

03:00 PM
Time to explore the Drill ranch. This is where endangered drill monkeys are kept, raised before being transferred into the wild. The drill monkeys are the second closest to humans after the gorilla. It's quite an interesting experience. You may wish to donate a token towards the upkeep and sustenance of the project driven by a private conservationist.

07:00PM
Dinner is served.

Day 3 :

Cross River National Park

07:00 AM
Gym and Aeobics

08:00 AM
Breakfast is served.

10:00 AM
Join other tourists on a trip to the Cross River National Park on an adventure into the jungle experience. You get to explore one of the world's bio-diversity rainforest in Nigeria. The Flora and Fauna are enchanting and draws you to nature.

04:00 PM
Preparation to experience the carnival display which commences later in the day. The cultural carnival experience continues long into the night. Tourists are scheduled to return to the hotel. However, you may wish to continue with the event and later return to the hotel at your pace. Be sure not to miss dinner as the fun and excitement of the carnival is so electrifying.

07:00 PM
Dinner is served.

Day 4 :

Trip to the National Museum

07:00 AM
Aerobic & Workout

08:00 AM
Breakfast is served

11:00 AM
Join other tourists on a 07:00 AM
Aerobic & Workout

08:00 AM
Breakfast is served

11:00 AM
Join other tourists on a trip to the National Museum. You will spend some time at the museum exploring the rich history of Nigeria from the colonial times.

05:00 PM
Join the scheduled carnival activities for the day.

07:00 PM
Dinner is served.. You will spend some time at the museum exploring the rich history of Nigeria from the colonial times.

05:00 PM
Join the scheduled carnival activities for the day.

07:00 PM
Dinner is served.

Day 5 :

Carnival day

07:00 AM
Aerobics & Workout

08:00 AM
Breakfast is served

04:00 PM
It's the main carnival day and activities begin to gather momentum from mid-day. After lunch, take some rest and prepare for the main carnival display. If you have indicated interest in costumes for the event, they will be delivered to you at the hotel. You may wish to dress up in your costume before joining the carnival. This is an all-night event. Families with kids are expected to coordinate with a Motley rep on how best to coordinate their wards.

07:00 PM
Dinner is served

Day 6 :

Departure

07:00 AM
Wake up to breakfast (If you retire to the hotel early enough to catch some sleep). For those who may have to embark on a road trip back to their respective places, it's an early departure while those having to fly have more time to spend at the hotel before checking out. Buses are scheduled to depart to the airport (Please check with your Motley rep to know when your airport transfer is scheduled)