Where to Spend Your Christmas and New Year Vacations

Let’s face it, 2021 hasn’t been a great year for travel lovers and holidaymakers. The reason is obvious. The COVID-19 pandemic came with lots of travel restrictions and uncertainties. But all hope is not lost for travel enthusiasts and holidaymakers, like you.

In the midst of all the stress, you deserve to end 2021 with a rest, and begin 2022 with a refreshed mind. So, just for your sake, we hand-picked the following six premium resorts in West Africa where you should consider spending the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays.

1. Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort, Nigeria

Not to twist your arm, but if I can shoot from the hip, I’d say that Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort is one of the most beautiful places in West Africa for a rewarding getaway. Located in Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom State in the Southern region of Nigeria, Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort welcomes guests with open arms.

Situated amidst rich palm forest vegetation, this magnificent hotel on 174 hectares of land connotes peace and serenity complimented by its original atmosphere devoid of external influence.

If you are into Golf, the lush greens of the world-class 18-hole golf course create the right atmosphere, for the most challenging, memorable golfing experience. Other features include a spa, a nightclub, a marina club, a squash court, a swimming pool, a business center, lawn tennis courts, a fitness center, and even helipads.

For your gastronomic needs, Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort features up to 5 dining options all of which offer delicious cuisine and well-curated dishes while you enjoy beautiful sceneries and stunning views. There are several thoughtful accommodation options, all designed to cater to your needs without drilling a hole in your pocket.

Several domestic airlines operate daily flights between Lagos and Uyo including Ibom Air, Air Peace, and Dana Air.

Whether you want to spend just a few days of the entire Christmas and New Year season, discoveries await you at Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort. Book your stay now.

2. Royal Senchi Hotel and Resort, Ghana

Located along the serene banks of the Volta River in Akosombo in the Eastern Region of Ghana, the Royal Senchi Hotel and Resort is a place where leisure meets luxury. From lush and green surroundings to services only fit for the Royals, there's everything royal about the Royal Senchi.

The Royal Senchi Hotel and Resort features rooms with spectacular views and unique architectural African design which blends traditional Ghanaian styles with modernity, including River View Rooms, River Suites, and Picathartes Suite. A restaurant, a lounge, and a bar will cater to your gastronomic needs while providing both a dynamic delight for the senses, and a true gastronomic journey of the Volta.

Facilities and side attractions at the Royal Senchi include Kayaks &Pedalos, boat cruise, a library, a lavishly equipped spa, a swimming pool, a golf course, and a helipad. Local Attractions include the Adomi Bridge, the largest cable-stayed bridge in West Africa, Akosombo Dam, Akwamu Gorge, and Tilapia Farm.

With waterfront views, an eye-catching pool, and comely African architecture, the Royal Senchi Hotel and Resort can be your holiday destination this Christmas and New Year. Indeed, the Royal Senchi is a Ghanian paradise on the Volta and it's yours to discover. Book your stay now.

3. Obudu Mountain Resort, Nigeria

If you're looking for a fun place in West Africa where you can be in perfect sync with nature, it is here. Located on the Obudu Plateau in the Northern Cross River State of Nigeria, about 332 kilometers from Calabar, Obudu Mountain Resort is by far the most beautiful and scenic tourist destination in Nigeria and one of the most beautiful in Africa. It is not just a tourist attraction; it is a tourist destination offering a complete range of pleasure and business activities in a serene and secluded environment.

The fun at Obudu Mountain Resort is endless as activities are never in short supply. The fun begins with the breathtaking drive to the ranch, which is a tourist attraction on its own. Other fun activities at the Obudu Mountain Resort include cable car ride, swimming, horse-riding, golfing, hiking, canopy walk, mountain race, and general sightseeing adventures. If you work up your appetite in the course of your adventures, there are restaurants offering local and international cuisines where you can dine while enjoying the beautiful natural scenery and a jaw-dropping view of the mountains.

For your Christmas to be complete, Obudu Mountain Resort can also offer Christmas-themed activities including bonfire nights, music, and comedy as well as a special nativity lunch on 25 December. A couple of domestic airlines operate daily flights between Lagos and Calabar including Ibom Air and Air Peace.

Indeed, the Obudu Mountain Resort is one of the few places in Africa where you can truly escape from the city's madness to refresh your body and your soul. Book your stay now.

4. Maaha Beach Resort, Ghana

Located in the Ellembele District in the Western Region of Ghana, Maaha Beach Resort a place where there is a perfect marriage between unlimited leisure and affordable luxury. The unmistakable traditional Nzema architecture bears witness to the resort’s sophisticated, yet simple elegance. The incredibly beautiful scenery, highlighted by the adjacent Atlantic Ocean, ushers you into a 'new world' of peace, tranquillity, luxury, and creativity. Whether you want a short or an extended stay, Maaha Beach Resort will offer you a lap of luxury this Christmas and New Year season.

For accommodation, Maaha Beach Resort offers three elegant options, including Standard, Deluxe, and Executive rooms, all of which feature decors that reflect traditional Ghanaian accents with a modern touch. With respect to gastronomy, Maaha Beach Resort features two restaurants and a bar, both of which will ensure you have an exquisite culinary experience.

Recreational facilities at Maaha Beach Resort include for lawn tennis, table tennis, swimming, beach soccer, beach volleyball, water sports as well as fitness and wellness. Local Attractions include the nearby Nzulezo Village, Ankasa Conservation Area near the border with Côte d’ivoire, and the spectacular Bamboo Cathedral as well as the Fort Apollonia. Book your stay now.

If you're visiting from outside Ghana, your best travel option is to fly into Accra and catch a connecting flight to Takoradi Airport. A couple of local airlines operate daily flights between Accra and Takoradi including Africa World Airlines.

5. Balafon Beach Resort, Gambia

Balafon Beach Resort, Gambia is literally where holiday dreams come true. Set on the sandy shores of the Atlantic Ocean in the coastal town of Kololi in The Gambia, Balafon Beach Resort offers a unique blend of traditional and modern architecture. It is a perfect spot for a Christmas getaway.

Whether you will like to sleep and wake up to the magnificent sound of the ocean or relax in lush tropical gardens, Balafon Beach Resort offers an excellent array of accommodation options that have been carefully designed to offer you a premium choice of sea-view, private swim-up pool entry, a direct pool-side view, and a relaxed garden experience.

The hotel sits directly on the beach, just a 2-minute stroll to Djeliba Plaza strip where you will find many great local beach bars and restaurants offering live music and a variety of local and international cuisines.

If you want more, the taxis outside the hotel are ready to take you to the bustling central hub of Senegambia, just 2km away where you will also find a traditional and colourful market which is a great spot to pick up local handcrafted souvenirs and gifts to take home.

Balafon Beach Resort on the Gambia’s ‘Smiling Coast’ of West Africa is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing and well-deserved Christmas and New Year break, especially if you are on a budget. The only drawback, however, is that the Balafon Beach Resort is an adult-only hotel (16+). Book your stay now.

6. La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, Nigeria

The La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort is located in Ibeju-Lekki, off Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos. If experiencing African hospitality and culture in a cosmopolitan style is your sort of thing, then this resort should be your kind of place this Christmas and New Year. The Resort boasts of a 2000 meter of soft, golden sand which stretches between the shades of majestic coconut palms, the warm Atlantic Ocean, and the placid lagoon.

Whether you want to be all by yourself while you recollect on the Lagoon or go all out and have fun, the La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort got your back. You can take a walk along a clean beach, lagoon, and mangrove forest while closely observing a wide variety of tropical flora and fauna. If you've got some adrenaline, you can engage in several fun-filled outdoor activities including boat cruise, jet ski, surfing, tubing, kayaking, snorkeling etc. You can even dine and wine on water. Now, that sounds very romantic.

La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort is ideal for family getaways, especially during Christmas and New Year vacations. Day stays, as well as overnight stays are available. Book your stay now.