My trip to Kajuru Castle, Kaduna.

Kajuru Castle

If you love antiquity with a heavy touch of royalty then head up with me to Kajuru Castle in Southern Kaduna. You will not regret it. Its about 40 kilometres from Kaduna town.

For about 4 years, I had nursed the desire to visit Kajuru Castle but for many reasons I couldn’t till @irinajo_NG invited me on to be on the trip they were organizing. I seized the opportunity, shut down the things I was doing and off to Abuja I went to join Damola (@irinajo_NG) and other co-travellers enroute to Kajuru Castle.

Wẹ arrived Kaduna by train and I will advise anybody traveling that route (Abuja-Kaduna) to try the train. We enjoyed air-conditioned and neat cabins/Television programs etc. The train service on that route is great. I will blog on the experience at another day. After disembarking at Rigasa train station, Kaduna, we headed to Arewa House and later 5th Chukker Polo club and finally arrived at Kajuru Castle towards the evening of the same day.

Rigasa Train Station

Relaxation time at 5th Chukker Polo Club, Kaduna whilst enroute to Kajuru Castle.

Inside Kaduna Polo Club

My first view of the castle was when we came down from the bus and were told we will have to walk up the hill as the bus will not be able to ascend the hill with all of us and the baggages we were carrying. Looking up and seeing the Castle reminded me of the times I used to watch Roman films. I was wowed by the splendor of the castle. I was like, ‘is this in Nigeria and we don’t know so much about it”. Well, out came my Camera and I started “firing away“.

Climbing up to Kajuru Castle

At the gate, we were given a warm welcome by the “wizard of the Castle”. He gave us a brief history of the place and then showed us around with a warning to everyone in our entourage that no one should “fool around with the dragon” (Crocodile) that lives also in the Castle.

Dragon at Kajuru Castle

The first place I went to after dropping my bags was the Steel Pool. This pool is beautiful. All the pictures I saw concerning the pool and it’s environment can’t be compared to the beauty I was staring at. My Camera kept going click click. I took night shots, day shots, blue-hour shots etc of the pool. Then, later took a dive. The next morning, because I wanted to enjoy the Pool alone, by 5am after my morning shower, I went for another dive in the pool. This was the regime I followed till the day we left – swimming day and night. Yes, it was cold in the morning, freezing cold with the wind blowing, but the lure of that pool wiped away the cold. When the sound system at the pool started blaring good music, I started regretting not coming to Kajuru Castle with my wife. Well, we would surely return someday. That poolside was our playground. Lovers, friends, dancers, swimmer’s etc all had their enjoyable time at the pool. In the afternoon and evening even till late in the night, lying on the comfortable beds by the poolside gives you an out of the world experience.

Steel pool at Kajuru Castle at night.

Steel pool at Kajuru Castle

Steel pool at Kajuru Castle

Next to the pool is a Sauna. I didn’t use it, but everyone else did. They go into the Sauna, come out and dive into the pool then return into the sauna again. It was all fun.In the night, we had Barbecue which was also by the pool side whilst swapping jokes, talking etc till we all got tired and went to sleep.

We also hiked the mountains around Kajuru Castle with GARUBA (Our Kajuru tour guide) leading and telling us stories about his early days and times at Kajuru.

Read more about my hiking the mountains in Kajuru with @garuba by clicking the link below.

When the rock fell

Busayo, Garuba and Ijay enjoying the hike at Kajuru.

Hiking Kajuru Castle

Looking back at Kajuru Castle from Kajuru mountains

Like any other Castle, there are towers at the top where one can sit and watch the stars etc. Kajuru Castle is also beautified with flowers and there are Peacocks on ground. We were entertained by the displays especially from the male Peacock showing us the glory of his feathers.

Peacock at Kajuru Castle

The interior of the Castle is a luxurious masterpiece. The artwork inside is Medieval looking and exquisite. Everything used to build this place is a product of class and superior craft. On the walls inside the Castles are various types of Medieval weapons (replicas) all beautiful to behold.

Inside shot of Kajuru Castle

The staffer’s are polite and the environment is neat. There is also a secret cellar at Kajuru Castle where you can hide if invaders come. It’s built like a bookshelf but it’s actually a door that leads to an underground safe place. Please don’t say I told you as it’s supposed to be a secret. Shh. The truth is Kajuru Castle is a safe place and there have not been any security issues. Watch my YouTube video (link at the end of this post) and hear about Kajuru Castle/ security arrangements etc directly from the mouth of the “wizard of the castle”.

Conclusion

Kajuru Castle was built by a German who migrated to Nigeria, is a great place to stay for any type of holiday. It’s self catering (but the kitchen is well equipped with most of what you will need) so come with your food. @irinajo_NG travels made sure we had no food problems. You can also make arrangements with the management for food to be provided for you during your stay but that will attract relevant costs depending on the type of food you request for. (Whether local, Lebanese, Chinese cuisines etc).

If you intend to visit Kajuru Castle, make sure you book in advance (very important) as it is a private property and entry is not easy. Once the standard number of people have entered (12 people) the Castle is placed on lock down and no other guests are allowed in till they leave. Come with your swimming suit and don’t come alone so as not to be lonely.

Make sure you come with a good camera or a phone that has a good camera as there is much to document there. Also come with your hiking boots so that you enjoy hiking the mountains around. I went with a soft kind of “sneakers” and the rocky terrain outside the Castle damaged it .

Kids from Kajuru waving to us as we rounded up our hiking adventure .

Kids from Kajuru Town

Network service is not so good but there are places within the castle where you can comfortably make and receive calls. I actually had no communication problems to be quite honest. Electricity is self generated so there are no power concerns. However come with two pin plugs for your phone or an adaptor as the wall’s have European sockets.

If you want to have a private party with the attachment of class and luxury devoid of gate crashers, Kajuru Castle is a place to go. For your honeymoons, wedding Anniversaries or Pre-wedding shoots etc, head up to Kajuru Castle. To get away from everything called stress, I highly recommend this place.

When we were to return after staying there for two and a half days, I felt like telling Damola of Irinajo to let us stay more. But, life has to go on so we had to leave. I know I will return again as once is not enough for me concerning such a wonderful place.

Thanks Tolu and Damola of Irinajo for inviting me. If you want a guided tour of Kajuru Castle and other good touristy places in Nigeria, I recommend Irianjo. You can link up with them on Instagram- Irinajo

You can complete this blog experience by also watching the companion video that I made concerning Kajuru Castle at my YouTube channel by clicking the link below

Inside Kajuru Castle

If you have been to Kajuru before or any wonderful place in Nigeria or abroad share with me in the comment section below maybe someday I will be able to go an experience it too.

Thank you for your time.

Selah.