Abraka

Abraka sits on the Ethiope river, which rises from springs at Umuaja and runs unusually clear for a river in the Niger delta region, over a sandy bed with forest along the banks, and that clarity is what the town's tourism rests on: river resorts along the bank offer swimming, boating and river-side accommodation, and Nigerian and expatriate visitors come from Warri, Benin and Port Harcourt at weekends. The river is regarded as sacred in local tradition, associated with a deity, and rituals are performed at points along it. Delta State University is in the town. Water quality has been affected by upstream pressures and by the growth of the resorts themselves.

What you actually see

• The clear river - the Ethiope running over its sandy bed.
• River resorts - the accommodation and swimming areas along the bank.
• Forest banks - the vegetation lining the watercourse.
• Boating - the canoe and boat trips on the river.

When to go

November to March in the dry season, when the water is clearest and lowest. Weekends and holidays fill the resorts. The rains raise and cloud the river and make the banks muddy.

Honest expectations

Resort standards vary widely and some have declined. The river is sacred to local communities and some sections carry restrictions. Water clarity is not what it was and depends on upstream conditions. There are no lifeguards.

Nearby

Warri lies west; Benin City is northwest.