The $100,000,000 abandoned Obudu Cattle Ranch in Cross River State, Nigeria was once known as one of the most beautiful spots in Nigeria. What was once one of the largest and arguably the most expensive resorts ever built in West Africa has now become one of the abandoned places in Africa.
The Obudu Cattle Ranch is located in Obudu, Cross River State, and shares a close boundary with Cameroon. It is ecosystem built on an area of about 1,600 meters and is situated at the top of a plateau that rises to 5,200 feet above sea level. The ranch has its own waterfall, cable cars, mountain cabins, and much more.
History
Beginning construction in 2005, the developers planned for this resort to attract millions of tourists from all over the world. Upon completion, it was named one of the most beautiful places in Africa. This area now lies desolate and is what many people would call a ghost town.Obudu Cattle Ranch used to be a remote village in the hills, primarily inhabited by nomads and livestock farmers, until 1949 when a Scottish rancher named M. McCaughley recognized its potential and had the idea of transforming it into a resort, which he eventually founded in 1951. The ranch was remodeled and made a tourist attraction by the Donald Duke-led administration between 1999 and 2007 (Donald was a friend to McCaughley). The ranch was one of Duke’s numerous iconic tourism projects in Cross River. He improved the winding road network to the hilltop, built stunning chalets and aerial tramways (cable cars), and generally upgraded its infrastructure. It was eventually passed down to the Cross River State government, which still operates it today. However, successive administrations in the state have failed to build on Duke’s legacy, leading to a significant decline in patronage and deteriorating facilities.
Facilities and Tourist Attractions at the Ranch
1.Cabins
There are 20 beautiful cabin structures perched atop a hill that offer an amazing view of the surroundings. The windows were all bulletproof. While in the cabins, visitors can experience both sunrise and sunset from the open decks, with cattle grazing around the ranch such a beautiful view to enjoy as a visitor.
2. Presidential Villa
There is a presidential villa that used to house Nigerian presidents during visits. At that time, it was President Umaru Musa Yaradua who used to visit the Ranch back then. The last time any president visited was over 14 years ago due to the dilapidated condition of the place.
3. Intestine Road
On the way up to the ranch is a winding road called Intestine Road because of its twisting patterns. This road leads up the mountain to Obudu Cattle Ranch. The spiral road provides a zig-zag view from the top and is one of the infrastructures at the ranch that remains in good condition to this day.
4. Odudu Plateau
The Obudu Plateau is located on the Oshie Ridge of the Sankwala Mountain range. The Obudu Mountain Resort was developed on this plateau. The plateau is situated in the Obanliku local government area of Cross River State and spans over an area of more than 40 square miles, rising to about 5,200 feet above sea level, with its peak reaching a height of approximately 1,600 meters above sea level. The plateau is known to be a habitat for rare species of birds.
5. Cable Cars
Obudu Mountain Resort sits at 1,600 meters above sea level. To get there, visitors can either drive along the famously winding 11 km road from the bottom of the hill or take the cable car. The drive takes about 25 minutes, while the cable car ride takes about 6 minutes. The last time the cable car operated was in 2015. Everything was made in Switzerland.
6. Holy Mountain
The Holy Mountain is located on the other side of the ranch. During the civil war and the time of colonization, people who sought refuge in the mountain found safety. Missionaries who came to the mountain for prayers (related to health problems and fertility) returned with testimonies of their experiences.7. Water Park At the ranch, you can enjoy fun activities with friends and family at the water park, which offers various games and attractions to make your experience a memorable one.
8. The Gretto Mini Waterfall
There is a waterfall on the other side of the range where you can hike through and enjoy the beautiful view of the waterfall and nature.
9. Becheve Nature Reserve
The Becheve Nature Reserve is located near the Ranch and features beautiful greenery. One of the best ways to experience this lush environment is by taking a canopy walk above the trees using a metal suspension bridge. It is over 700 feet above the ground. Unfortunately, many parts of the canopy walk have fallen apart due to a lack of maintenance.
Thoughts
What really happened that such a project, with so much potential, had to be abandoned? When you visit places around the world with a thriving tourism industry and see the level of attention given to them, it is disheartening to think that such a beautiful place was built and then left to deteriorate.
Nigeria, as a country, loses so much every year in untapped tourism due to the government’s total disdain for any form of income that does not involve exporting oil. The power of travel and tourism, when done right, can generate significant wealth and provide a substantial boost to a nation’s GDP. For example, South Africa’s tourism sector generates over 740,000 direct jobs. In 2019, over 13 million people visited Morocco. With all the amazing places that exist in Nigeria, there is no reason why Nigeria cannot achieve similar numbers.
If maintained, the Obudu Cattle Ranch could have provided a significant boost to Nigeria’s GDP on an annual basis while creating more jobs for its citizens. Apart from the lack of adequate infrastructure in Nigeria, there is also a lack of a maintenance culture. This issue is reflected in many projects across Nigeria. Once a project is completed and photos are taken, adequate resources are not always allocated to ensure that quality is retained throughout its lifespan.
