Photo by Guduru Ajay bhargav from Pexels
You can never believe how beautiful and breathtaking Nigeria is until you see the scenic views only possible by driving from places like Lagos. Indeed, the chances of discovering new and exciting places as you explore on four wheels are much higher than flying over in a plane. From Lagos, there are several routes you can take that might take you on the adventure of a lifetime.
So, immerse yourself in the rich Nigerian culture, enjoy local dishes along the way, appreciate nature’s beauty, and marvel at the incredible sunsets on the horizon. The possibilities are endless for those interested in embarking on the road trip of a lifetime. But for the best experience on any road trip, it’s vital to pack enough essentials. With friends and families, you can have one too many luggage, but the Defender 90 roof rack carries all the equipment and baggage everyone needs for a great outdoor adventure.
Here are four handpicked road trips from Lagos, Nigeria, that’s guaranteed to offer the most scenic views and experiences.
1. Travel to The Historic Old Oyo Kingdom
Photo by Vonecia Carswell on Unsplash
Get ready to visit Ibadan, which is among the largest cities in West Africa. The city is famous in Nigeria for many reasons, one being the fact that it is situated on seven hills. This strategic positioning offers visitors many beautiful views of the cities depending on where you are looking. It boasts of the country’s first university and teaching hospital.
You can tour these two places and appreciate architectural beauty from back in the day. Then you also have the old Samonda airport open to visitors. Once done and ready for lunch, head over to the Cafe Chrysalis or Kokodome Restaurant for some tasty local and foreign dishes. But the places to be in the Oyo kingdom is the royal palace called Alaafin of Oyo and the Old Oyo National Park.
2. Drive Through Ijebu Kingdom
Photo by Francesco Ungaro from Pexels
Situated between Lagos and Ogun state, the Ijebu Kingdom is the place to visit all nature lovers. You will begin your trip on the Lekki road and remember to stop at the Lekki Conservation Center.
Here, you’ll find over 78 hectares of vegetation and wildlife, a library, a museum. Getting back on the road will lead you to one of the best-maintained beaches in the country, the Eleko Beach in Ogun State. Or you can take a detour from the conservation center to Epe Fish Market, where you’ll find different species of fresh-water fishes on sale.
You’ll also find many colonial and pre-colonial architectures which you’ll want to slow down for a better view or a few pictures. But the main event will be the Ojude-Oba Annual Festival held after the Eid celebration, so plan your trip accordingly.
3. Witness The Cultural Spectacles of Osogbo
Those interested in cultural heritage will find enough art and cultural activity to make their trip worthwhile in Osogbo. This destination is replete with carvings, batik, pottery,magic mushrooms where you can buy shrooms online from the store, and different types of canvas paintings. It is also one of Yoruba’s places with one of the only remaining sacred forests called the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove. The fun fact – UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 2005.
Your road trip to Osogbo wouldn’t be complete with a visit to the grove and participation in the Osun-Osogbo Festival. The natives display their reverence for the god of the Osun River called Osun. Remember to look out for the ritual in which the Arugba Osun takes the sacred calabash grove. They believe the ritual purifies the land and cleanses it. In all, you’re in for a spiritual journey and not just a road trip.
4. Visit the Hillsides of Ekiti
Photo by Srimathi Jayaprakash on Unsplash
You can drive from Ife to Ekiti for some of the most adventurous and scenic views Nigeria has to offer. According to history, the Yoruba race originated from Ife, and the palace still welcomes visitors. So, do drop by the Ife palace before proceeding to Ekiti. It is rich in Yoruba culture, and you’ll find some picturesque sites.
Meanwhile, the rest of the route takes you to Ekiti, a collection of towns and villages known for their hills. The most popular among these is Effon-Alaiye. This town is an incredible sight to behold with hills surrounding it. The very air you breathe is rich, the weather is favorable, and the forests have lush vegetation. Other interesting places in Ekiti include the Ikogosi Waterfalls and Warm Springs and the Erin Ayonigba River.
Conclusion
In preparation for your trip, remember to keep the local government policies in mind and practice safe driving all the time. If possible, take some pictures, make new friends, and make every mile count. Bring some friends or family along and see what Nigeria looks like.
References
http://www.ncfnigeria.org/projects/lekki-conservation-centre
http://ogunstate.gov.ng/ogun-state/festivals/ojude-oba/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNESCO_World_Heritage_Site
Additional Resources:
Country Music Concerts Near Me
How To Watch NBA Live Streaming
