Kano, Nigeria

Nigeria's second-largest city, Kano is just over 200 miles from the national capital, Abuja. Its population suggests it is a fruitful commercial complex; traders, merchants, and consumers all descend upon its market-lined streets every day to form a bustling environment rarely replicated within the region. Masked behind its massive business sector, however, is a tourism sphere that has gained much ground in recent years. Taking the city at face value today, it's hard to dispute the assertion that Kano is on an ascent to the big time in Africa. Kano's history runs back to the first settlements of West Africa. Said to be the first official city of the region, Kano has quite simply seen it all; it has a culturally diverse body to show for it. Because of its gradual, centuries-long development, the city is hardly efficient, an aspect that has caused extensive periods of stagnation that seem only to have been quelled by the mystic powers of time. From the few huts to sprout on this landscape many a year ago to the 8+ million residents it houses today, this African complex of smog, chaos and beauty now stands as a testament to its peoples' resilience. Kano is a far cry from colorful Morocco and the overtly friendly atmosphere of South Africa, yet it continues to draw folks who silently wish it a trip to the limelight. It seems destined for an era of "glory." Book your flight to Kano today and see for yourself why its popularity has grown to surpass that of the capital (and with luck, Lagos), why it proves to be more enticing and intriguing than many European cities, and why its competition has dwindled amidst its irrepressible buoyancy.

When to go

Roughly 1,000 miles from Equatorial Africa, Kano is a relatively flat city inviting to a climate that can only be described by those who associate comfort levels with the northern 1/3rd of the globe as oppressive. It's a wonder that massive governmental initiatives aren't inclusive of anything having to do with sun shields, but locals seem to take the region's climatic changes as they're given. Winter is the favorite for respite-seeking travelers, though a bit of heat turns the city alive as if the heat source in the sky was the secret to Kano's success, so for a the wonderful raucous of a midday market, you'll likely have to trek to the city in spring or autumn.

Getting there and around

Kano Airport, one of the busiest of its kind in Nigeria, is appropriately positioned close by to the city's major business sectors, making its most profitable areas the easiest accessible. Someone was doing their homework. When you arrive (after flying to Lagos or Abuja) you can hire a taxi or rent a vehicle. Sensible folk will opt for the first. As stated earlier, Kano's network of streets is laid in a semi-haphazard manner, making any lengthy public transit jaunts much more time-consuming than necessary in a conveniently connected system. If walking won't get you there on time, hire a taxi.

Attractions

Kano's Old City is where most go to see the sights, which include the Central Mosque, the Kurmi Market (largest in the Kano), the Emir's Palace, and both the Gidan Makama (museum) and Gidan Dan Hausa (governor's residence). From atop Dala Hill in the Old City's center you can see much of Kano. If you're lucky, you'll arrive at the spot just after heavy rains, which provide clear views for short moments.