Gidan Makama Museum
Gidan Makama Museum
3.5
About
Originally constructed in the 15th century, the Gidan Makama Museum teaches visitors about the long and distinguished history of Kano.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
34 within 3 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.5
12 reviews
Excellent
1
Very good
8
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
1
vlady
Oundle, UK15 contributions
I lived in Nigeria nearly 3 years (2001 to 2004), and spent about 2 months living in Kano. I toured and took groups to Kano to tour, eat and enjoy this historic and interesting city. The Gidan Makama Museum is where you start any tour of Kano. The museum, in a series of Sudanese-style structures, is a wealth of information. You will be required to get a guide at the door; they are informative. The museum walks you through Kano history from the 9th to 21st century. The museum, which has recently received a face-lift, takes about 45 minutes to an hour to get through. The jihad period and the British invasion of the city in 1901 are really interesting. Another overlooked building is Gidan Dan Hausa, which is the Kano State museum. It was closed as of September 2004, but you can see the curator at the main house who can likely give you a tour.
In Kano do this: From Gidan Makama go to the Emir's Palace. You can take pictures, you need to know someone in the court or within influence to get in. You can however try to arrange to see the Emir come out to court in the morning. This is normally not too complicated. Be there for the amazing Durbar, twice yearly Muslim fetes, where thousands of horses and horsemen go on parade to pay homage to the Emir. Amazing sight.
Sights: Kurmi Market, one of the oldest in West Africa, is simply amazing. Get a guide at the market or they will simply find you. The Dye Pits are a must for indigo cloth at great prices. The old city has amazing mud Sudanese housing. Get a guide at the market to take you around the city to see what is left of the old city walls. The German Government was paying to have a portion rebuilt.
Hotel: Stay at the Prince Hotel, only place in town that is clean and good; almost too nice for Kano. Stay clear of the Central Hotel. Durbar Hotel was under renovation, a likely good choice. But believe me, the Prince is your best bet. In a pinch try the guest houses at La Locanda and Torona Restaurants.
Food: Amazing choices for Nigeria. My favorites: 1.) La Locanda (Italian) great atmosphere and food. Really some of the best pizza I ever had. From chicken wings to fine Italian and roasted meat dishes. 2.) Peking Chinese, Mrs. Lee is a great hostesse, food is acceptable. Their Sunday Brunch is best. 3.) Torona (Lebanese) amazingly good, but has been going down hill of late, mangement problems. 4.) SeeSweets (restaurant and bakery), nice spot with nice terrace, no alcohol. 5.) Calypso (Lebanese) at the Prince Hotel. Nice place with professional staff and excellent food. 6.) The French Club, need to have a member sign you in, place known among Nigerians who like to get away from it all. Acceptable, not really nice, but nice fish at night. 7.) Lebanese Club, great mixed grill and nice atmosphere. 8.) The Golf Course, you need a member to sign you in, has great roasted lamb and beef, as well as, cold beer and good conversation. Other places like the Indian restaurants are good, but not too clean. Nigerian places are good in Sabon Gari.
Note: Sharia law has really put a damper on nightlife and alcohol consumption in Kano. People tend to stay home more. For nightlife go to Sabon Gari, Christian quarter. Kano is fun, and there are cafes to hang out in and drink coffee and watch people in the "G.R.A."
Good luck and have fun.
In Kano do this: From Gidan Makama go to the Emir's Palace. You can take pictures, you need to know someone in the court or within influence to get in. You can however try to arrange to see the Emir come out to court in the morning. This is normally not too complicated. Be there for the amazing Durbar, twice yearly Muslim fetes, where thousands of horses and horsemen go on parade to pay homage to the Emir. Amazing sight.
Sights: Kurmi Market, one of the oldest in West Africa, is simply amazing. Get a guide at the market or they will simply find you. The Dye Pits are a must for indigo cloth at great prices. The old city has amazing mud Sudanese housing. Get a guide at the market to take you around the city to see what is left of the old city walls. The German Government was paying to have a portion rebuilt.
Hotel: Stay at the Prince Hotel, only place in town that is clean and good; almost too nice for Kano. Stay clear of the Central Hotel. Durbar Hotel was under renovation, a likely good choice. But believe me, the Prince is your best bet. In a pinch try the guest houses at La Locanda and Torona Restaurants.
Food: Amazing choices for Nigeria. My favorites: 1.) La Locanda (Italian) great atmosphere and food. Really some of the best pizza I ever had. From chicken wings to fine Italian and roasted meat dishes. 2.) Peking Chinese, Mrs. Lee is a great hostesse, food is acceptable. Their Sunday Brunch is best. 3.) Torona (Lebanese) amazingly good, but has been going down hill of late, mangement problems. 4.) SeeSweets (restaurant and bakery), nice spot with nice terrace, no alcohol. 5.) Calypso (Lebanese) at the Prince Hotel. Nice place with professional staff and excellent food. 6.) The French Club, need to have a member sign you in, place known among Nigerians who like to get away from it all. Acceptable, not really nice, but nice fish at night. 7.) Lebanese Club, great mixed grill and nice atmosphere. 8.) The Golf Course, you need a member to sign you in, has great roasted lamb and beef, as well as, cold beer and good conversation. Other places like the Indian restaurants are good, but not too clean. Nigerian places are good in Sabon Gari.
Note: Sharia law has really put a damper on nightlife and alcohol consumption in Kano. People tend to stay home more. For nightlife go to Sabon Gari, Christian quarter. Kano is fun, and there are cafes to hang out in and drink coffee and watch people in the "G.R.A."
Good luck and have fun.
Written December 13, 2004
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ijamilu
Kano, Nigeria19 contributions
Jun 2011
Beautifully renovated exterior.
The tour guides are knowledgeable but tend to skip certain details / information as they are sometimes in a hurry to get you through. Some of the historic items on display have not been well kept, but all the same interesting to look at.
No pictures allowed in most of the interior halls and no post-cards or souvenirs. But you can take all the pictures you want on the outside. Entrance fee is minimal approx. $1.
The tour guides are knowledgeable but tend to skip certain details / information as they are sometimes in a hurry to get you through. Some of the historic items on display have not been well kept, but all the same interesting to look at.
No pictures allowed in most of the interior halls and no post-cards or souvenirs. But you can take all the pictures you want on the outside. Entrance fee is minimal approx. $1.
Written July 8, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
speckzwerg
Ludwigsburg, Germany27 contributions
Apr 2017 • Friends
A nice thing to do in Kano. You get an idea of the history of Kano. Entrance fee is very cheap. Worth visiting. The guide is explaining well.
Written April 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Meran44
Cairo, Egypt9 contributions
Feb 2013 • Family
Very interesting place to visit,if you really wants to know the origin of Hausa Fulani and the way of life in the northern part of Nigeria .Just tour around Gidan Makama Museum.So many historic items and pictures on display with well inform tour guide to give you details information of each items.some items on display are for the first settles on dala hills from hundred of years and materials used during Usman Dan fodio's Fulani jihad.inside you can buy souvenirs like hands made materials.
Written September 3, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A H
6 contributions
May 2013 • Family
Incredible history and beautiful display of a traditional house. The best tour guides by far. Just wonderful.
Written April 30, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PaulaLiverpool1
Liverpool, UK260 contributions
May 2019 • Business
This was a small museum but with some interesting pieces and information about the British invasion of Kano in 1914, which I knew nothing about.
Written June 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mohamed D
16 contributions
Jan 2018 • Friends
. This attraction is not very good for visit . i did not like this attraction there is nothing inside .
Written January 30, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Francis B
2 contributions
Sep 2019
We were keen to visit the makama museum and we did. The place is quite small but has an incredible collection of historic artifacts.
Written September 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mobile168140
12 contributions
Jun 2019 • Family
This is a very old and historical museum located inside the ancient city of kano or the birni as it is called
The museum is very close to the emyar of kano palace and his parliament and prison
It houses a lot of ancient weapons in all forms used to defend the city in the olden days though the museum is small but has a lot of history defenatly worth paying a visit to if you are in the city of kano
The museum is very close to the emyar of kano palace and his parliament and prison
It houses a lot of ancient weapons in all forms used to defend the city in the olden days though the museum is small but has a lot of history defenatly worth paying a visit to if you are in the city of kano
Written June 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bart_Boy
Lagos, Nigeria135 contributions
Feb 2017 • Friends
Its a good museum in Kano, you can learn the history of Kano with a good building and arts here. Clean and friendly tour guide for us.
Written February 19, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing