Mambilla Plateau

Mambilla Plateau

Plateaus are one of the four major landforms, along with mountains, plains, and hills. Simply, a plateau is an elevated land also called a highland. The Mambilla Plateau is a plateau in the Taraba State of Nigeria. Taraba is a state in North Eastern Nigeria, named after the Taraba River, which navigates the southern part of the state.

The Mambilla plateau has an average elevation of about 1,600 meters (5,249 ft) above sea level. The weather of the plateau is relatively cold. Daytime temperatures do not usually go over 25 °C (77.0 °F) making it the coolest region in Nigeria. The plateau is separated by several streams and rivers; particularly the Donga River and Taraba River, with both having their sources from the Mambilla Plateau.

The rainy season on the Plateau is associated with frequent and heavy rainfall due to effects of the mountains and escarpments of the plateau. The Plateau receives over 1850 millimeters of rainfall annually. Astoundingly, the Mambilla Plateau is free of mosquitoes and tsetse flies.

The journey to the Mambilla Plateau starts on a snake-like road from the foot of the mountain to the top, about 25 to 30 minutes’ drive from where you start savoring the beauty of the plateau. The beauty of the plateau is seen in its rolling hills, backdropped with exotic flora and fauna. The Plateau is mountainous with deep gorges and travelers are constantly presented with panoramic and scenic views.

The plateau’s land is very fertile and food crops like pineapple, cassava, potatoes are produced in large quantities. The presence of an abundance of grassy hills allows for the presence of cattle ranches, and tea plantations. In fact, the plateau is home to Nigeria and West Africa’s only highland tea plantations.

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The Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station is a 3,050 MW hydroelectric power project is being constructed on the plateau. When completed, it will be the largest power-generating installation in the country, and one of the largest hydroelectric power stations in Africa. Other tourism attraction sites on the plateau are the mountain chain, the plain green view, and a magnificent waterfall, Mbamnga Ndumyaji cave. There are also natural forests like the Ngel Yaki mountain forest and the Ndum-yaji forest that are home to exceedingly rare species of birds and trees which have attracted lots of researchers from around the world.

Have you ever been to the Mambilla plateau before? Do share your experience with us.