Things To Do
in Choba
Choba is a suburban community in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, best known as the location of the University of Port Harcourt campus. The neighbourhood mixes student life, residential areas and small commercial hubs serving university staff and local families. Its location on the outskirts of Port Harcourt gives easy access to city amenities while retaining quieter, greener pockets and a riverine feel in nearby areas.
Choba functions as a practical base for exploring Port Harcourt’s cultural sites, markets and waterways.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Arrive at Port Harcourt International Airport and transfer to your accommodation in Choba. Take some time to settle in and refresh after your journey. Enjoy a traditional Nigerian breakfast at a local eatery, savoring dishes like akara and pap.
Explore the nearby University of Port Harcourt campus, taking in the lush surroundings and vibrant student life. Visit the local market to experience the culture and buy handmade crafts and textiles. Engage with locals to understand their way of life and perhaps try some street food.
Dine at a local restaurant, enjoying the spicy flavors of Nigerian cuisine. Participate in a cultural night, listening to traditional music while meeting other travelers and locals. Relax at your accommodation, reflecting on your first day in Choba.
Set off early for a guided hike in the Awhum Waterfalls area, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and rich biodiversity. Enjoy a picnic breakfast amidst nature as you marvel at the stunning waterfalls cascading down rocks. Learn about the indigenous flora and fauna from your guide.
Spend the afternoon at the Okrika beach, where you can swim, relax on the golden sands, or engage in beach games with locals. Taste the refreshing coconut water offered by vendors along the beach. Capture the perfect sunset photos as the horizon lights up in vibrant shades.
Head back to Choba and enjoy dinner at your accommodation, perhaps trying a local specialty like jollof rice. Participating in storytelling sessions with elders can provide intriguing insights into the cultural heritage of the area. Retire for the night, listening to the soothing sounds of nightlife in Choba.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $2-6 |
| ☕Coffee or soft drink | $1-3 |
| 🚕Short taxi/ride (in town) | $1-5 |
| 🏨Mid-range hotel (per night) | $35-80 |
| 🎟️Attraction or entry fee / modest activity | $1-10 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Close to the University of Port Harcourt with a lively student atmosphere and affordable eats.
- Good base for exploring Port Harcourt’s cultural sites and nearby waterways and seafood.
- More relaxed and green compared with dense city centre areas.
- Plenty of budget-friendly accommodation and informal local markets.
- High humidity and heavy rains during the wet season can disrupt plans and travel.
- Limited tourist infrastructure compared with major Nigerian tourist cities—some services are basic.
- Traffic congestion when travelling to central Port Harcourt; limited sidewalks in places.
- Safety concerns around petty crime mean travellers must be cautious.
- "Good morning / Good afternoon (English commonly used)" - Use 'Good morning' or 'Good afternoon' — English is widely spoken
- "How you dey? (Nigerian Pidgin)" - How are you?
- "Tank you / Tenki (Nigerian Pidgin)" - Thank you
- "Abeg (Nigerian Pidgin)" - Please / I beg you (polite request)
- "Ezi okwu / Ndi? (Igbo - used in the region among Igbo speakers)" - Is that correct? / People? (contextual; many locals understand Igbo or Pidgin)
Places to Visit in Choba
Visit one of these nice places.
Well-kept green spaces, academic buildings and student life scenes make the campus a great place for portrait and architecture shots—early morning and late afternoon light is best.
Shorelines, mangrove channels and ferries around the Port Harcourt/Bonny waterways provide dramatic water-based landscapes and sunset photography opportunities.
Colourful market stalls, vibrant produce, fishmongers and daily commerce create lively street photography scenes—ask permission before close-up shots of people.
Many riverside eateries and promenades offer unobstructed western views for sunset silhouettes and reflections on the water.
Food in Choba
Choba Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
A rich palm-nut and seafood soup typically served with starches like fufu or starch; commonly available in local eateries and restaurants that specialize in Rivers/Delta cuisine.
Must-Try!
A spicy, aromatic broth often served as a starter or light meal—great in rainy weather and widely sold at roadside stalls and small restaurants.
West Africa’s famous one-pot tomato and rice dish, often served with fried plantain and grilled meat or fish; a staple at restaurants and parties.
Skewered and spiced grilled meat sold by street vendors in the evening—best enjoyed with sliced onions and chilled drinks.
Starchy sides like pounded yam or onunu served with melon-seed (egusi) or vegetable soups—common homestyle meals in local restaurants.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
Small local market stalls and campus vendor stands selling snacks, fried plantain, akara (bean cakes), meat pies and beverages—good for cheap, authentic bites.
One of Port Harcourt’s major markets where you can sample street food, buy fresh fish and buy local spices and ingredients; lively and full of flavour.
Stalls near riverfront areas offering grilled fish, seafood platters and roasted plantain—best for enjoying local seafood at sunset.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Greetings are important—always say hello when entering shops or meeting people; a handshake is common, and you may be expected to address elders respectfully.
Dress conservatively for non-beach contexts, especially when visiting religious or family settings—smart-casual for most restaurants and meetings.
Ask permission before photographing people, especially at markets, religious sites or private ceremonies; some may refuse and it's important to respect that.
If invited to someone’s home, small gifts are appreciated and you may be offered food—accepting a small portion is considered polite.
Safety
Tipping in Choba
Ensure a smooth experience
Tipping is appreciated but not strictly required. Round up the bill in restaurants or leave 5–10% in mid-range places; tip drivers or porters a small amount (a few hundred naira). For informal food stalls tipping is uncommon.
Nigerian Naira cash is the most widely accepted form of payment, especially in markets and small eateries. Cards (Visa/Mastercard) are accepted at larger hotels and some restaurants in Port Harcourt, but connectivity can be unreliable—carry cash. Mobile payment apps and bank transfers are increasingly used locally (e.g., USSD, mobile wallets) for services and taxi bookings.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
Expect heavy rainfall, high humidity and occasional flooding on low-lying roads; plan outdoor activities for mornings, carry a waterproof jacket, and allow extra travel time because of slow traffic.
Drier weather with lower rainfall and clearer skies—late dry season can bring Harmattan dust (Dec–Feb) which reduces visibility and can be cooler in the mornings; evenings remain warm but less humid.
Choba at Night
Hiking in Choba
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
Informal walking trails through mangrove edges and coastal stretches near Bonny and river channels—better suited to guided walks and photography than steep hikes.
Walkable green areas on the University of Port Harcourt campus offer gentle trails for birdwatching and short nature strolls—safe and accessible.
For more traditional hill hikes and forest trails, travellers often plan longer day trips to higher ground or further inland locations outside Rivers State; these require a full-day drive and local planning.
Airports
How to reach Choba by plane.
The main airport serving Port Harcourt (typically reached by a 30–90 minute drive depending on traffic); offers domestic flights and some regional connections—use taxis or prearranged transfers to reach Choba.
Onne is primarily an industrial port with heliport and offshore transfer facilities serving oil and maritime industries; not a standard commercial airport but useful for industrial travel arrangements.
Regional airport in Owerri, reachable by road in a few hours for travellers coming from eastern routes or as an alternate connection for some domestic flights.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
A large portion of Choba’s daily life is shaped by University of Port Harcourt students, faculty and staff—this brings a youthful and cosmopolitan vibe.
The Ikwerre people and other Niger Delta ethnic groups form the indigenous population with strong cultural ties to the land and waterways.
People from across Nigeria who work in the oil, maritime and service sectors live and work in the area, creating a diverse, multiethnic community.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
The dominant sport—local and national matches attract strong interest, and informal games are played widely on school and community pitches.
University of Port Harcourt hosts inter-university competitions and athletics events; students are active in basketball, volleyball and track events.
In riverine communities, canoe and boat racing are traditional and popular during festivals and community events.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Choba.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarian options exist but are more limited; dishes based on bean cakes (akara), fried plantain, yam, rice and vegetable soups are available. Ask for meals without fish or meat and specify no stock made from meat or fish—request plain rice, stews made with vegetables or egg dishes at cafes.
Vegan choices require care because many sauces use fish or meat stock and palm oil is common; focus on simple starchy staples with vegetable stews and communicate clearly at eateries.
Halal meat is available in many outlets but not always certified—ask vendors about preparation or seek out restaurants that advertise Halal or Muslim-friendly food.
Peanuts, palm oil and fish are widely used—inform cooks about allergies and prefer established restaurants where you can explain ingredients.