Cross River State, Nigeria • December 24, 2010 - January 9, 2011

TRIP DESCRIPTION:
Join Wild Gift Leader Monica Samec in the state where she has lived and worked for over three years. First, experience the festivities of Christmas in the state capital of Calabar. Then join the community conservation society where Monica’s Wild Gift project assisted in establishing a community cook stove program.  Enjoy local food and culture, hikes through waterfalls and rainforests, and wildlife encounters.

COST & LIMITATIONS:
Minimum donation of $3900 per person for 2.5 weeks, minimum 6 people. All proceeds go to the Cross River State Improved Cook Stove Program, the Mfaminyen Conservation Society and Wild Gift.  Included is all local transport, accommodation, food, and excursions. Each participant responsible for their own transport to Calabar, vaccinations, travel insurance, and visas; letters of invitation will be provided. Optional 4-6 day trekking and touring of monkey rehabilitation bush camp is additional and subject to availability.

ITINERARY:
Suggested itinerary below, which can be adjusted to participants' preferences.

Week 1: Calabar Visit
December 24 – Arrival, orientation and check in to Calabar lodging

December 25 & 26 – Participation in Calabar Christmas carnival parade, concert, and celebrations

December 27 – A visit to two monkey rehabilitation projects based in Calabar and meet chimpanzees, drill monkeys, mona and mangabeys. In the evening, meet with environmental NGOs in area.

December 28 – A visit to the marina and museums, relax with an evening of music and a meal of fresh grilled fish and plantain

December 29 – An expedition to the Tinapa shopping complex and free trade zone (if open), or to the area's famous Kwa waterfalls

December 30 – Participation in an HIV/AIDS initiative and learn about how the disease is affecting Cross River State. Nigerian cooking lesson and visit to traditional market.

December 31 – Meeting with forestry experts to learn about statewide conservation initiatives. Evening: New Years Celebrations!

Week 2: Visit to Mfaminyen and other rural communities
January 1 – A reception with village chiefs, traditional dancing, and a feast to welcome the visitors

January 2 – A short hike to Mba Ikimi, to see the protected area set aside by the community for forest conservation as a demonstration of the benefits of stopping deforestation

January 3 – A tour of the villages that participated in the first improved cook stove program and a discussion both its challenges and impacts.

January 4 & 5 – A hike to the elephant highway used by the endangered African elephant to migrate from Nigeria to the Congo... right at the start of their high season!! Then, sleep in the Otai caves and see where people harvest foods from the rainforest (bush mango, vegetable leafs, bitter kola nuts). Learn about the different spices and medicines from the rainforest, many of which are still unclassified and which the Mfaminyen Conservation Society hopes to help catalogue.

January 6 – A practical demonstration of the Mfaminyen bee-keeping project, which is a source of alternative livelihoods to make a living in harmony with the forest, and a tour of the solar electrification project which recently began construction. Also, meeting with the Mfaminyen farmer field school multi-purpose cooperative, visit to organic cocoa farm in the rainforest.

January 7 – A hike through the Mfaminyen plains - climb the highest mountain to see views above the heart the rainforest and the ancient Mfaminyen settlement

January 8 – A send-forth celebration with all the neighboring communities. Help in judging of the arts and crafts competition.

January 9 – Departure from Calabar or optional 4-6-day trekking and touring of a monkey rehabilitation bush camp(s) on the other side of the rainforest

TRIP LEADERS:

Monica Samec, Wild Gift Class of 2008 

View Monica's Wild Gift profile »

For the past five years, Monica has spent most of her time assisting a number of clean energy and climate change projects in Nigeria.  The places there fascinate her to no end. She enjoys the challenges and triumphs, chaos and simplicity, and the inspiring people she’s had the opportunity to meet.  She hopes to share a glimpse of this with you during Christmas and New Years.

Linus Ita, Coordinator of the Mfaminyen Conservation Society

Linus is an indigene of the village of Mfaminyen and a leader in conservation initiatives throughout the region. For the past 10 years, he has been championing practical ways the people living here can have a better quality of life through embracing conservation principles. He looks forward to welcoming you to his community and his state, and sharing his experience in promoting conservation in one of the most important biodiversity hotspots in the world.