Nigeria

1.The best time to visit Nigeria is from December to March when the humidity drops, although the catch is that you may then suffer from the dusty Harmattan winds. If a bit of sand in the face doesn't bother you, go in January when you can attend the Sallah celebrations in northern Nigeria followed by the Argungu Fishing Festival on the banks of the Sokoto River in mid-to-late February.

2. All visitors are required to have a visa except for citizens of countries belonging to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

3. Some basic Information- Time: GMT/UTC plus one hour Electricity: 220v, 50Hz Weights & measures: Metric

4. For culture lovers, of all the festivals in West Africa the most elaborate are the ones held in northern Nigeria - in particular Kano, Zaria and Katsina - for the two most important Islamic holidays: the end of Ramadan (the Islamic period of fasting) and Tabaski (69 days later). The exact dates differ from year to year but is usually sometime in late January or early February and again in late April. The principal event of the celebrations is the Durbar, a colorful parade of ornately dressed Hausa-Fulani horsemen, Emirs dressed in ceremonial robes, bicep-flexing wrestlers and lute players in headdresses.

5. The Currency is Niara (N). The Niara continues to be devalued against foreign currencies making it a boon for western travelers. A budget traveler happy with YMCA accommodation or shared facilities and a fondness for African soups and goat curry can survive on as little as US$10-15 a day.

6. Be careful with budget accommodation in the bigger cities such as Lagos. Due to the high personal security risks you are considerably increasing your chances of being mugged or robbed at the very least. If you are on a moderate budget hoping for air-conditioning, running water, and lights that work (or one out of the three), you can expect to pay between US$30-50.The Budget goes: US$2-4 Mid-range: US$4-10 Top-end: US$10 and up lodging- Budget: US$2-10 Mid-range: US$10-50 Top-end: US$50 and upwards.

7. If you happen to stay at the best places in town, dining out on European style food expect to shell out over US$150 a day.

8. Carrying lots of cash around isn't usually a good idea but in the case of Nigeria you should probably take some readies with you to smooth your way through customs. It may also take a while for the bank to change your travelers' cheques, if at all, and a hefty commission is often involved. There's a flourishing black market that usually offers better rates but it is illegal.

9. Credit cards are all but useless except in five star hotels and there are numerous credit card scams on the go. Tipping is a gray area but generally speaking you will be expected to tip 10% in the better restaurants. Check the bill to see if service has been included. Nigeria is built on the practice of dash (bribe money) so don't even think about avoiding it. Requests can range from the downright intimidation to a pleasant smile and a gentle invitation to hand over money but whichever way it's done, it's done frequently.

10. Lagos can offer you a number of unique experiences. It has more nightclubs and live music than just about any other West African city and is chiefly known for its music. Ariya Night Club in Yaba is worth a visit as is the open-air Jazz 38 where, you might score an invitation to play with the band that's performing.

11. The National Museum, on Lagos Island, is worth a visit for its impressive bronze sculptures and ivory carvings from Benin and for its masks and terracotta antiquities from Jos. From ancient relics to modern ruins, the other note-worthy exhibition is the bullet-riddled car in which Murtala Mohammed, a former head of state, was assassinated.

12. The heart of Lagos is Lagos Island where all the major banks, department stores, restaurants and black marketeers are found. Most of the embassies and big houses are on Victoria and Ikoyi Islands. The three islands together make up most of downtown Lagos.

13. Lagos is a crime-ridden city, so you need to be switched on at all times. Never walk around alone and always take a taxi at night.

14. If you love birds and bird- watching, Yankari National Park is the place. It's a bird watching dream with over 600 species roosting around its interior.

15. Gembu, near the Cameroon border, is good for hiking, as is Bukura, especially around the Kurra Falls. Another popular hiking destination is the Assop Waterfalls but if you visit the falls, be prepared for a day hike or longer (camping may be possible). There are a number of popular swimming beaches around Lagos, although the water is never clear and some beaches have a strong undertow.

16. Like everything else about Nigeria the climate is varied and differs substantially from region to region. The north is hot and dry with one long rainy season from April to September, while in the south it is hot and wet with the rainy season lasting from March to November. Temperatures are slightly lower in the tropical regions of the south but it's the humidity that's a real killer. Relief from the humidity only comes in December and January during the Harmattan season when cool dry winds blow off the desert.

17. Lagos International airport (Murtala Mohammed) is 22 km (13 miles) from Lagos. Taxis to the city are also available. The national carrier, Nigerian Airways, offers flights to a number of European destinies but it can be a bumpy ride. The departure tax for international flights is US$35.

18. Air travel within Nigeria is always a bit of a gamble, mainly because scheduled departure times appear to be entirely hypothetical and boarding involves an elbows-first, musical-chairs scramble for a seat on an aircraft that will always be over booked. The good news is that internal flights are incredibly cheap. Domestic flights do not leave from Murtala Mohammed airport but from the older airport 10 km away. Private airlines are a viable alternative and are usually more organized and reliable than Nigerian Airways and offer relatively cheap fares.

19. Traveling by bus is the safest and most comfortable way to travel and lines connect all the main cities. Bus offices tend to cluster in the same area of the city. Bush taxis are the fastest and most comfortable way to get around but they're also the most dangerous. Nigerian drivers have little respect for speed limits!

20. There are trains running in Nigeria but they're not very comfortable and, as if to compensate for the bush taxis, travel at a snail's pace.

Generally speaking, the food in Nigeria is nothing to rave about. However, the best chance of a good food is the roadside stalls, called Buka, where the best-cooked local cuisine is found. Peppery stews are common in the southern states, while menus of grains and beef are common in the north. Much of Nigerian food is grain-based. Tuwo, made from maize, corn rice or millet, is popular as is Efo (vegetable soup), Egusi (a hot stew made with meat and red peppers) and Isi-ewu (goat head pepper soup). There's also lots of snack food including fried yam chips, meat pastries and fried plantain. Palm wine, a natural juice from palm trees, is a popular drink all over Nigeria, especially in the south where these trees grow wild.