Stand at the foot of the twin peaks of Mkar Hill and the two summits rise against the sky, the eastern scenery opening out below you. That view is the clearest introduction to Gboko, a city in Benue State that serves as the ancestral headquarters of the Tiv people.
Gboko suits travellers interested in Tiv culture, traditional leadership and landscape rather than a conventional sightseeing circuit. The palace of the Tor Tiv sits in the heart of the town, the hills and rocks around it reward a slow look, and the markets keep the city's trade visible.
This guide covers the places worth your time, drawn from what is documented about the city, and closes with a plan for a single day.
Top things to do in Gboko
1. Mkar Hill
Mkar Hill is the highest and most prominent mountain in Gboko, falling in the east of the city. Its formation is spectacular: two distinct peaks standing between 800 and 1,000 metres above sea level, which together make the scenery the most striking in the area.
The hill is a safe location and gives you the chance to rock climb, take in the views or settle down for a picnic. Give it the best part of a day rather than an hour, and bring what you need for the climb and the meal.
2. Tor Tiv Palace
The Tor Tiv Palace is home to the ruler of the Tiv people, and its renovation was completed on 8 April 2021. The new palace is a striking architectural work: the Tiv traditional colours of black and white, along with other symbolic Tiv cultural symbols and elements, were incorporated into the design and finishing.
Because the palace is in the heart of the town, it pairs naturally with a walk through the surrounding streets and markets. Treat it as a place of traditional authority and conduct yourself accordingly.
3. J.S Tarka Tomb
The J.S Tarka Tomb in Gboko East LGA is a monument complex built in honour of J.S. Tarka, a political leader, senator and traditional ruler of Tiv extraction who died in 1979. His political ideologies contributed to the emancipation of the Nigerian people.
The tomb is housed in the J.S. Tarka Institute for Political and Strategic Studies, so your visit combines the monument with the institute around it. It is a thoughtful stop rather than a scenic one, and it sits in Gboko East LGA, which you can combine with the eastern side of the city.
4. Wooded Trench, Tser Mker
This is a heavily wooded natural trench at Tse Mker. Its origin has been lost to history, but the deep trench-like valley is believed to be a natural inhabitant of pythons, lions, hyenas and exotic birds.
That makes it a site for hunting, gaming, bird viewing and adventure. Go with local guidance, since the terrain and the wildlife are the point of the visit.
5. Ortese Market
Ortese Market is one of the marketplaces in the Gboko LGA where locals buy and sell a wide range of goods. Trade is thriving here, and the market shows you the agricultural produce the region is known for, including rice, yams, maize and cassava.
Come in the morning when the trading day is at its busiest, and combine it with the other central stops such as the Tor Tiv Palace.
6. Ikpa Market
Ikpa Market is another of the Gboko LGA marketplaces, part of the local trade in a wide range of goods. It is a straightforward way to see everyday commerce in the city.
Pair it with Ortese Market on the same outing rather than treating each as a separate trip.
7. Tarukpe Market
Tarukpe Market completes the trio of named marketplaces in the Gboko LGA. Like the others, it is a place where locals buy and sell a wide range of goods.
If you have time for only one market, choose based on where else you are heading that day; if you have time for all three, spread them across a morning.
8. The cement company road
Gboko is host to the former Benue Cement Company, now Dangote Cement. You can visit the cement company along the road as part of a sightseeing drive.
This works best as a pass-by combined with the city's hills, rocks and water, which the area is full of and which are good for sightseeing.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Mkar Hill in the east while the day is fresh, and give the twin peaks the time they deserve for the climb, the views and a picnic. On your way back into town, stop at the cement company along the road.
Afternoon: Move into the heart of the town to the Tor Tiv Palace, then continue to the J.S Tarka Tomb in Gboko East LGA and the J.S. Tarka Institute for Political and Strategic Studies that houses it.
Evening: Finish with the markets. Pick from Ortese Market, Ikpa Market and Tarukpe Market for goods and food, and if the light and your energy allow, round the day off at the Wooded Trench at Tser Mker.
Frequently asked questions
What is Gboko known for?
Gboko is the ancestral headquarters of the Tiv people, and the palace of the Tor Tiv, the supreme traditional leader, is situated in the heart of the town. It is also host to the former Benue Cement Company, now Dangote Cement.
Which languages are spoken in Gboko?
Tiv, Hausa and English are the languages most widely spoken in Gboko.
When is the best time of year to visit Gboko?
Gboko has a dry season and a wet season. The hot season runs from 5 February to 16 April, with April the hottest month, while the chilly season runs from 23 June to 21 October, with December the coldest month. Choose according to whether you prefer heat or cooler days.
What can I do at Mkar Hill?
Mkar Hill offers rock climbing, sightseeing and picnics, and it is described as a safe location. Its twin peaks stand between 800 and 1,000 metres above sea level.
Use this as your starting point, check the current situation on the ground, and begin planning your days in Gboko.