Obudu Mountain Resort (formerly known as the Obudu Cattle Ranch) is a ranch and resort on the Obudu Plateau in Cross River State, Nigeria. It was developed in 1951 by McCaughley, a Scot who first explored the mountain ranges in 1949. He camped on the mountaintop of the Oshie Ridge on the Sankwala Mountains for a month before returning with Hugh Jones a fellow rancher who, in 1951, together with Crawfeild developed the Obudu Cattle Ranch. Although the ranch has been through troubles since, it has very recently been rehabilitated to its former glory. A recently added cable car from the base to the top of the plateau gives visitors a scenic view while bypassing the extremely winding road to the top.
The Obudu Cattle Ranch known presently as the Obudu Mountain Resort is found on the Obudu Plateau close to the Cameroon Border in the northeastern part of Cross River State of Nigeria, approximately 110 kilometres (68 mi) east of the town of Ogoja and 65 kilometres (40 mi) from the town of Obudu in Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River State. It is about 30 minutes drive from Obudu town and is about a 332 kilometres (206 mi) drive from Calabar, the Cross River State capital. Charter air service is also available to the Bebi Airport which lies between the village of Obudu and the resort.
The climate on the Obudu Cattle Ranch is the semi-temperate mountain climate, which is the general weather condition experienced on the Obudu Plateau due to its altitude.
The Obudu Mountain Resort is about 30 minutes’ drive from Obudu Town, and 332 Kilometres drive from Calabar. If you want to bypass the long road trip, a charter air service is available to the Bebi Airport which lies between Obudu and the Resort.
On your arrival to the ranch, you will be welcomed in the heavily decorated reception (with a massive Cow head hanging on the wall) where you can confirm your room and get other check in information you need.
The ranch has in recent times seen an influx of both Nigerian and international tourists because of the development of tourist facilities by Cross-River State Government which has turned the ranch into one of the well known holiday and tourist resort centers in Nigeria.
Obudu Mountain Resort attracts lots of local and international visitors/tourists yearly, especially during the Christmas period or Obudu Ranch International Mountain Race known as “the world’s richest mountain race”, an annual 11.25 km mountain running competition that takes place in late November.
The Obudu Mountain Resort is larger than the size of some communities we would find around today. Largely dense by trees and mountains, the roads are beautifully structured in snake line fashion to allow access to all parts of the Mountain.
Landmarks are strategically put in place to allow tourist identify their location and move more quickly around the mountain.
You can go horse riding to cover distances or take a ride in the cable car that conveys passengers from the base to the top of the mountain, which gives you a scenic view while bypassing the extremely winding road to the top.
If you love Sight-seeing and enjoying nature, watching birds and more, then a binocular will come in handy. If you love hiking, you will also have a swell time. Swimming, golfing and of course a fitness centre are readily available for you.
