TOUR OF SOUTHWEST – NIGERIA- 7 DAYS

After breakfast, depart for Badagry along the coastal road west of Lagos, near the Benin Republic border. Badagry, founded in the early 15th century on a lagoon off the Gulf of Guinea, developed into a key port for the transatlantic slave trade due to its protected harbor.

Upon arrival, embark on the Badagry ‘Slave Route’ tour, which includes visits to the old slave market, the Slave Trade Museum and relics, the Seriki Abbas compound (slave baracoons), and Gberefu Beach (the slave embarkation point).

After lunch, return to Lagos and proceed to your hotel.

Overnight: Lagos Intercontinental Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and dinner at the hotel

After breakfast, travel to Ibadan, with a visit to Abeokuta, the largest city and capital of Ogun State, on the way. The original settlers of Abeokuta were from the Egba nation, followed by members of other Yoruba clans.

During your visit, you will explore historical sites, including Olumo Rock and Itoku Market, where vendors sell the famous Adire fabric. Adire is an indigo-dyed textile made in southwestern Nigeria by Yoruba women, using a variety of resist dye techniques. You will also visit the fetish stalls at the market, where items of traditional medicine are sold.

Lunch will be at the Obasanjo Library Complex. After lunch, continue to Ibadan and check in to your hotel.

Overnight: Golden Tulip Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast, depart from Ibadan for Oshogbo. On the way, visit Ile Ife, known as the cradle of Yoruba civilization. According to the Yoruba people, Ife is where the founding deities, Oduduwa and Obatala, began their existence, as directed by the paramount deity Olodumare.

You will visit the Palace of the Ooni of Ife, the spiritual head and highest-ranking king of Yorubaland. Then, proceed to the Ile-Ife Museum and see the statue of Queen Moremi Ajasoro, a prominent female warrior who saved Ife from its enemies. You will also see the historic Oranmiyan monolith and visit a sacred garden where you can join the "elders of the land" for a drink and ablution to the forefathers, while recounting lore surrounding the great Oranmiyan warrior-king.

Continue to Oshogbo, the capital city of Osun State, located in the farming region where yams, cassava, grains, cotton, and tobacco are grown. Upon arrival, embark on a tour of this significant town, which is widely known as the venue for the annual festival along the River Osun. The festival is centered around the sacred grove of the river goddess Osun, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The dense forest of the Osun Sacred Grove is one of the last remnants of primary high forest in southern Nigeria.

Regarded as the abode of the goddess of fertility, Osun, one of the pantheons of Yoruba gods, the landscape of the grove and its meandering river is dotted with sanctuaries, shrines, sculptures, and artworks in honor of Osun and other deities.

Continue to your hotel for check-in and dinner.

Overnight: Ideal Nest Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and dinner at the hotel.

Erin-Ijesha Waterfalls (also known as Olumirin Waterfalls) is a historic attraction located in the Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State. The waterfalls were discovered in 1140 AD by one of the daughters of Oduduwa. However, other historical accounts say that the Olumirin Waterfall was discovered by hunters in 1140 AD. Another source claims that the site was discovered by Akinla, the founder of Erin-Ijesha town and a granddaughter of Oduduwa, during the migration of the Ife people to Erin-Ijesa. The name Olumirin was given to the site by Akinla, which means "Oluwa mirin" (another god).

After spending a few hours at the waterfall, we will continue to Lagos.

Overnight: Lagos Intercontinental Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast, we will embark on a city tour of Lagos, starting with the NCF Lekki Conservation Centre, a place where nature meets nurture—a must-see for every visitor to Lagos. Upon entering the Centre, you will experience the serene atmosphere of a nature reserve, providing a peaceful contrast to the bustling life of the city. A walk on the boardwalk and Skywalk Canopy offers nature at its best, including monkeys and beautiful birds. You will also see the pond, home to a variety of fish species. The remoteness of the reserve creates a perfect environment for bonding with nature.

Next, we will proceed to the Lekki International Craft Market, where you can browse handmade arts and crafts. The market offers a variety of souvenirs to choose from. Afterward, continue to the Nike Art Gallery & Cultural Centre, housed in a purpose-built five-storey structure with an adjoining café. It is the largest private art gallery in West Africa, featuring an extensive collection of over 10,000 pieces of artwork by various contemporary Nigerian artists. You will have the chance to interact with the proprietress, Nike (if available), an internationally renowned female textile designer.

We will then visit the National Museum of Lagos, located in Onikan, Lagos Island. This museum is one of the 53 outlets of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments in Nigeria. The museum houses a vast collection that spans more than 8,000 years of Nigerian history, including artifacts from Nok, Benin, Ife, Igbo-Ukwu, Owo, Nupe, Ibibio, and many others. Highlights of the collection include traditional musical instruments such as sansas, fiddles, and flutes, as well as divination bowls and ancestral wooden figures. The museum also features Ekpo masks from Calabar and Gẹlẹdẹ wooden masks, which are central to various cultural rituals.

The next stop is the Brazilian Quarters, where you will visit the Brazilian Architecture Church, built by the Brazilians who returned to Nigeria between 1830 and 1850. This historic church is one of the last remaining buildings with its original ancient structure. Afterward, we will visit Tinubu Square, a monument to the famous female Efunroye Tinubu, a powerful Yoruba aristocrat, merchant, and slave trader in pre-colonial and colonial Nigeria. She later advocated for the abolition of the slave trade in Lagos Island. We will also see the Lagos National Mosque and the popular Balogun Market.

Next, we will visit the Kalakuta Republic Museum, which highlights the life of the legendary Afrobeat musician, Fela Kuti. Opened in 2012, the museum is located at the property that served as Kuti’s residence from the 1970s until his passing in 1997. Fela is buried in a mausoleum on the grounds. You will have the opportunity to see his preserved bedroom, along with other artifacts and exhibits related to his life. On the ground floor, you will find a souvenir shop filled with memorabilia, from clothing to gift items and CD compilations of Fela’s music.

The rest of the day will be leisurely.

Overnight: Lagos Intercontinental Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and dinner at the hotel

Following a sumptuous breakfast, the day will be leisurely until you are transferred to the airport for your onward flight