This adventure will take you to the coastal town of Badagry, with slave trade history. Then we travel to the old Yoruba city of Abeokuta with its grand Afro-Brazilian buildings. We climb the sacred Olumo Rock, a holy site for local people. The continue to the virtually unknown Idanre Hillls for an opportunity to discover a lost world of sacred sites and hidden civilisation. Then head to Oshogbo where we explore a sacred grove and learn about the intricacies of Yoruba religion in the company of revered Ife priestesses.
Day One: Arrival in Lagos
Upon arrival at the airport in Lagos, you will be welcomed by your guide from Afrikan Wildlife safaris who will then transfer to your hotel for the dinner and overnight. Dinner and overnight at Ibis Hotel or similar.
Day Two: Lagos to Badagry
On this moring, you will explore Lagos, heading off the mainland onto Lagos Island. We explore the Afro-Brazilian quarter with its unique architecture and if open, the National Museum. From here we head west along the coast to the small town of Badagry, once an important slave port and with several historic sites to explore. Overnight Bedrock Hotel or similar.
Day Three: Badagry to Abeokuta
After breakfast, you will visit the sites of Badagry, including the museum and Brazilian Barracoon. We also take a boat across the lagoon to follow the ‘path of no return’ which the slaves walked to meet the boats to take them across the Atlantic. After lunch we head to the Yoruba city of Abeokuta. Dinner and overnight at Continental Suites Hotel or similar.
Day Four: Abeokuta to Idanre
Today, you will spend the morning exploring Abeokuta. The city has some excellent examples of Afro-Brazilian architecture which are well worth seeing, and an interesting fetish market. We also climb Olumo Rock, a sacred site for the Yoruba people with a shrine near the top. From here we drive to Idanre. Dinner and overnight at Rock Valley Hotel or similar.
Day Five: Idanre Hills
For this day, it will be spent exploring the Idanre Hills, walking up to a plateau that holds a hidden – now abandoned – village, a chief’s palace and many sacred sites. This is a world away from the hustle and bustle of Nigeria’s cities, with lush vegetation and pristine landscapes, and a real joy to explore, yet it is virtually unknown to the outside world. Dinner and overnight at Rock Valley Hotel or similar.
Day Six: Oshogbo
Proceed to the city of Oshogbo, home to one of Nigeria’s few UNESCO listed sites. We explore the Sacred Grove of Osun where extraordinary sculptures of the Yoruba deities nestle amongst the trees, monkeys running throughout. Later we visit a traditional Orisha temple where Ife priestesses can explain the intricacies of their religion, this is a truly fascinating experience and not to be missed. Dinner and overnight at Ideal Nest Hotel or similar.
Day Seven: Ilorin
After a quick tour of the city we drive to Ilorin, the first Muslim city that we visit on this trip. We explore the traditional quarters where Ilorin’s renowned potters and weavers ply their trade and in the late afternoon can head to a local bar before returning to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Bovina or similar.
Day Eight: Jebba to Kontagora
Today, we drive to Jebba, stopping first at a settlement of the Fulani, one of West Africa’s widest spread groups following traditional lifestyles based around cattle. After meeting the elders we continue to Jebba on the banks of the Niger River, reputedly the place where Mungo Park met his end. From here we continue north to the town of Kontagora. Dinner and overnight at Safara Hotel or similar.
Days Nine and Ten: Explore the lands of the Kamberi people
After breakfast, we will drive into the bush into the heartland of the Kamberi people, one of Nigeria’s most traditional ethnic groups. If he is there we meet the Emir, before venturing into the villages where we can learn about their indigenous belief systems and see the brightly decorated women, with painted and tattooed faces and sporting pierced lips.
Day Eleven: Gwari villages to Abuja
This morning, we will drive to Minna, visiting the villages of the Gwari people along the way. Although not quite as traditional as the Kamberi the Gwari are still very interesting, living in rural villages with huge round granaries to store their crops, and the older women still sport tattoos on their bodies and later drive to Abuja. Dinner and overnight at Petrus Hotel or similar.
Day Twelve: Abuja city tour and fly out
On this morning, we will make a city tour then later the guide will transfer you to the airport for your flight home.