Bauchi Nigeria Travel Guide
Most foreign nationals need a visa to enter Nigeria. Common visa types include the Tourist Visa, Business Visa, Transit Visa, and Subject to Regularization (STR) Visa for those taking up employment. The process for applying generally involves applying online through the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) portal. After this, you typically complete an in-person interview and submit required documents at a Nigerian Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence.
Some nationalities qualify for a Visa on Arrival (VoA), specifically for business purposes. However, a VoA needs pre-approval online by the NIS before you travel. You must get this approval letter before boarding your flight to Nigeria. Do not assume you get a VoA without prior online approval. You find more information on VisaHQ or IVisa.
Visa fees vary by nationality and visa type. You typically pay these fees online during the process for applying or by the embassy/consulate. Upon arrival at a Nigerian port of entry, usually an international airport like Abuja or Lagos, you undergo passport control. These checks include passport and visa verification.
Immigration officials collect biometric data, like fingerprints and a facial scan. You also complete a customs declaration for any goods you bring into the country. Bauchi city itself does not need special permits for tourism for standard sightseeing or cultural excursions within the city. Permits become necessary for specific research activities or visits to highly sensitive government or armed forces areas.
Yellow Fever
Proof of Yellow Fever vaccination is mandatory. Carry your valid International Certificate of Getting vaccinated (Yellow Card) on entering.
Keep this document with your passport. Without it, entry might be denied.
Consult a travel clinic
Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR), and Rabies (if around animals).
Malaria is endemic. Taking prescribed anti-malarial medication is strongly recommended. Consult a doctor 4-6 weeks before your trip.
Keep your guard up
Drink bottled/boiled water. Eat thoroughly cooked, hot food.
Avoid walking alone at night. Keep valuables safe. Share your itinerary with someone.
The official currency is the Nigerian Naira (NGN). The exchange rate fluctuates significantly. Always verify current rates before your travel. USD 1 might exchange for NGN 750-1500, but this rate is highly volatile. Exchange currency at official Bureaux de Change and banks. These offer formal exchange services. Informal markets carry a higher risk of fraud. Currency converters are useful.
Tipping is not strictly mandatory in Bauchi, but service staff appreciate it. It reflects your satisfaction with the service. For restaurants, consider tipping 5-10% for good service. Some upscale-end places include a service charge. Hotel porters or housekeepers: NGN 500-1,000. Drivers: NGN 1,000-5,1K for a full day; round up the fare for shorter trips. Tour guides: NGN 2,000-10,000, depending on duration and quality.
Enjoy street food and dine at buka (local eateries) for authentic and inexpensive meals.
Use Keke NAPE (tricycles), Okada (motorcycle taxis), or shared taxis for shorter distances.
Bargaining is usual and expected at markets and for products or services where prices are not fixed.
Stay at small hotels or smaller local hotels for affordable rates.
Bring sufficient cash with smaller units of currency. Card payments are unreliable or incur extra charges.
Prices vary widely based on your travel preferences. Here is a breakdown to help you plan:
Mid-range hotels cost NGN 35,000 - 70,000 per night. Allocate NGN 8,000 - 15,000 a day for food, enjoying a mix of local and several global restaurants. Transportation, including taxis and occasional private car hire, varies from NGN 5,000 - 15,000 daily. Factor in NGN 3,000 - 10,000 a day for attraction entrance fees and occasional guided tours.
High-end hotels cost NGN 80,000 - 200,000+ per night. Plan for NGN 20,000 - 50,000+ daily for fine dining, international cuisine, and hotel dining. A private car with a driver costs NGN 25,000 - 50,000+ per day. Budget NGN 15,000 - 50,000+ daily for private tours and exclusive experiences.
Bauchi city has general hospitals and private clinics. The quality of care varies significantly. For serious medical emergencies, consider evacuation to a major city like Abuja or Lagos, or even out of Nigeria, if your condition requires advanced care. Emergency services, including police and ambulance, exist, but their response times can be slow or unreliable.
Bauchi, like any a tourist destination, calls for you to take certain precautions. Natural disaster threats and crime statistics are general for the region. No specific detailed Bauchi city neighborhood crime statistics exist for the information center.
In the wet season (May-September), heavy rains lead to localized flooding, impacting roads and infrastructure. The Harmattan season (dry season) brings dust from the Sahara, causing reduced sight and potential respiratory issues. Bushfires occur in rural areas during the dry season, especially near Yankari National Park.
Be informed and plan accordingly. Monitor local weather reports and heed advice from local authorities or your accommodation staff.
This occurs, specifically in rural areas and along major highways. While less common in metropolitan areas like Bauchi city, maintain vigilance, especially when traveling outside the city limits.
Common in rural areas, less so in urban areas.
High vigilance outside city limits.
Pickpocketing and bag snatching occur in crowded markets or public spaces. Remain aware of your surroundings at all times to prevent incidents.
Awareness in crowded areas.
Do not display valuables openly.
Journey beyond city limits, especially at night, brings hazards due to poor road conditions, armed banditry, and reckless driving. Travel in convoys or during daylight hours for inter-state journeys.
Travel during daylight.
Avoid after-dark travel outside cities.
| Category | Recommendation | Safety Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Crime | Stay aware, avoid displaying valuables. | Use anti-theft bags (Pacsafe). |
| Health | Vaccinations, anti-malarials, safe food/water. | Carry Adventure Medical Kits. |
| Travel Itinerary | Share your itinerary, especially for distant regions. | Keep emergency contacts handy. |
You prevent many common health difficulties with consciousness and simple precautions. Prepare yourself with the right information.
Take your prescribed medication diligently. Consult your doctor.
Use Repellent containing DEET (30-50%) or Picaridin.
Wear long sleeves and pants, especially at dusk and dawn. Sleep under a Mosquito net.
Always drink bottled, boiled, or purified water.
Don't drink tap water, ice cubes made from tap water, and juices made from fresh fruit except if you are certain of the water source's purity. Dine at well-regarded places. Ensure your food is thoroughly cooked and served hot. Avoid raw vegetables, unpasteurized items made from milk, and street vendor items that look unhygienic.
Always peel fruits yourself. Consider LifeStraw or Water purification tablets.
Prevent common ailments like Traveler'traveler's Diarrhea, Typhoid Fever, and Hepatitis A by maintaining strict hygiene.
Both from contaminated food or water. Get vaccinated for Typhoid. Maintain strict food and water hygiene.
A waterborne illness. Get vaccinated for Hepatitis A and follow good food and water hygiene.
Bauchi experiences high temperatures. Drink plenty of Bottled water, stay in the shade, and wear light, loose-fitting clothing.
Emergency services, including police and ambulance, exist, but their response times can be slow or unreliable. It is recommended to research the location and contact information of reputable private clinics or clinics in Bauchi city before your arrival. For serious medical emergencies, consider evacuation to a major city like Abuja or Lagos, or even out of Nigeria, if your condition requires advanced care.
Comprehensive travel insurance is highly recommended. Your policy should cover a range of scenarios to give you peace of mind.
Emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, emergency medical evacuation to a higher-standard facility or your home country.
Trip cancellation or interruption coverage. AirHelp might assist with flight disruptions.
Lost or stolen luggage and personal belongings. Consider using Pacsafe anti-theft bags.
