Nigeria

We shouldn’t beat about the bush: Nigeria has an image problem. It dominates West Africa economically and politically, and has produced music and literature whose influence spreads far beyond the continent. But for all this clout, mention the country’s name to the person on the street and they’re more likely to come up with a litany of woe: corruption, ethnic violence and email scams. As a travel destination, Nigeria seems more a place to avoid than to book a flight to.

And yet, Nigeria is a country we’re coming to love. Getting around can sometimes be a little tough, and it’s certainly a challenging destination for first-timers to Africa, but you shouldn’t believe all the scare stories. In Lagos, Nigeria has one of the most exuberant cities in Africa. Along the south, old kingdoms carry on their customs, from creating elaborate brass sculptures to venerating the ancient gods. More modern traditions include one of the world’s pioneering primate conservation organisations. In the north, where the land dries out as it stretches towards the desert, Muslim Nigeria thrives in dusty trade cities where memories of the Saharan trade routes still linger.

For travel to the south, March to August are the wettest months to visit Nigeria, and best avoided if possible. Temperatures are hot year-round, peaking in the spring; the humidity is constant. Late spring to summer is the hottest part of the year in the north, with the mercury dropping slightly from October to January at the onset of the dusty harmattan winds. As well as the weather, take note of political developments when planning your trip. Although the country is generally calm, local trouble can quickly flare up, so once you’re in Nigeria keep an eye on the news and be prepared to change your plans at short notice if necessary.