Anambra is a state in southeastern Nigeria. Its name is an anglicized version of the original ‘Oma Mbala’, the native name of the Anambra River. The capital and seat of government is Awka. Onitsha is by far the largest urban area. The state’s theme is “Light of the nation.
Anambra state is blessed with lots of undeveloped tourist sites which can generate huge revenue for the state if developed and below are the list of top 5 places of interest in the state.
1. Ogbunike Cave
Ogbunike Caves are situated in a valley with tropical rain forest behind the “Ogba” hills in which lies St. Monica College, Ogbunike. Descending into the valley where the caves are located is a lengthy walkway made up of about 317 steps said to have been constructed by the Anambra State Government in the mid 90s. At the end of the walkway is an open space used as a reception point where visitors are by tradition to remove their shoes.
The main cave consists of a massive structure with a big open chamber of about 5m high, 10m wide and 30m long at the entrance. There are ten tunnels at the main chamber leading to different directions. Within the tunnels are big chambers and other tunnels of varying lengths, some of which are interconnected. The caves are occupied by a large colony of bats of various sizes. There are streams and body of water at various places. A stream flows out from one of the tunnels into a rapid flowing river (River Nkissa). At the meeting point of the river and the stream one can feel the warm water from the caves and the cold river water.
Beside this portion of the river is a table land of about 5 X 5 square meters used as a relaxation spot by visitors to the caves. The immediate environment of the caves up to about 200 meters radius is a thick tropical rainforest type of vegetation. Among the fauna of the site are deer, antelope, grass cutter, porcupine, rabbit, alligator, snakes and frogs. Others are fish, crabs and birds.
2. OGBA UKWU CAVE AND WATERFALL
Ogbaukwu Caves presents one of the greatest natural tourist attraction in Anambra State. But very little is known about the site, which has been in existence for many years. Hidden away from the busy routes that crisscross Anambra, the Ogbaukwu Caves and Waterfalls are located in Owerre Ezeukala community that borders three other states: Abia, Enugu and Imo. It is approximately 75 kilometres east of Onitsha. The Ogba Ukwu cave is considered to be one of the largest cave in West Africa, which will take upwards to two hours to explore. It forms a deep and complex rock formation with roomy compartments large enough to take in an entire village. At the centre of Ogba Ukwu, is one large area said to have been the living room of the ‘god’ of Owerre-Ezukala. There is one particular compartment, accessed by the aid of stone steps where an old elephant’s foot still stands, long dead and dry. In another crevice, there is a natural spanner of rock, and in yet another is a gun of stone, as old as the cave. Guided tours in and around it is a wonder, and leaves a visitor dumbfounded to this wonderful work of nature.
Also See: 5 Most Magnificent Caves In Nigeria
3. AGULU LAKE
