The majority of visitors travel to Nigeria for business purposes and don't do much sightseeing, but that doesn't mean that there aren't some fascinating attractions in Nigeria that are worth a visit for anyone willing to stray off the beaten path.Most travel centres on the major cities of Lagos and Abuja, which offer plenty of attractions in the form of national museums, bustling markets, and pretty parks. Venture further afield however, and visitors will discover the beautiful beaches on the coast, the sacred forest groves of Osogbo, the pre-colonial settlements at Sungbo's Eredo, and picturesque scenery in Nigeria's national parks.A holiday in Nigeria is definitely for the adventurous, and is guaranteed to be unforgettable!
The best beach for Lagos-based visitors is Eleko Beach, located just one hour away from Nigeria's frenetic economic heartland. It's clean and peaceful, with perfect waves and beach huts for hire, and is currently free of the traders and hawkers that can irritate visitors on beaches around Lagos IslandEleko Beach is a welcome relief from the grime and congestion of the metropolis. To get there, head out east on Lekki Expressway for about 19 miles (30km) and turn right at the Total petrol service station.
Address : Eleko Beach Road, Lekki
Situated on the Lekki Peninsula covering 190 acres (78 hectare), the Lekki Conservation Centre is perfect to experience the fauna and flora of this region's delicate ecosystems. You can see Mona monkeys, crocodiles, bush bucks, Maxwell duikers, and giant rats, among other fascinating creatures.There are various trails and tree platforms to get the best vantage point. Visit in the early morning when the animals are most active. Tours need to be booked in advance.
Address : Km-19, Lagos-Epe Expressway, Lekki
Website : www.ncfnigeria.org
Telephone : +234 (0)1 546 0479
Opening times : Daily 8.30am-5pm, including weekends and public holidays.
For a taste of the real Lagos, head to the bustling, chaotic, and always fascinating Lekki Market. Intrepid shoppers that make the trip here will be rewarded with a wonderful selection of African masks, Nigerian beadwork, and traditional cloth.The Lekki Market is located about 6 miles (10km) from the centre of Victoria Island, and is a popular taxi route. Bargain hard, but keep smiling. Get a local to help you navigate the market, for about NGN 50, it will be money well spent.
Address : Elegushi Modern Plaza, Oba Elegushi Street
Telephone : +234 803 833 1862
Opening times : Daily 8am-6pm
Occupying prime position on Lagos Island in the centre of the city, the National Museum contains a number of treasures and cultural relics of great interest. Take your diary along to record the experience as photography is not allowed.Highlights include the exhibit 'Treasures of Ancient Nigeria: Legacy of Two Thousand Years', and the bullet-ridden black Mercedes in which former president Murtala Mohammed was assassinated in 1973. Also not be missed is the gallery of Benin brasses and the crafts village, where you can haggles for souvenirs.
Address : Awolowo Road, Lagos Island
Telephone : +234 (0)1 263 6005
Opening times : Monday to Saturday 9am-3.30pm, closed Sunday.
One of Nigeria's top tourist attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove holds a deeply special place in the hearts and minds of the Yoruba people. Located on the outskirts of the city of Osogbo, in one of the last remaining areas of pristine forest in southern Nigeria, the grove is said to be the home of Osun, the Yoruba goddess of fertility.In addition to a meandering river surrounded by lush forest, visitors will see numerous shrines and sanctuaries that have been built in honour of Osun, including sculptures done by Austrian national Suzanne Wenger, who lived in the area in the 1950s and earned herself the local name Aduni Olosa, 'the Adored One'. If at all possible, time your visit to coincide with the Osun-Osogbo Festival (late July to August), a 12-day celebration of significant cultural interest, where thousands of locals congregate to invoke ancestral spirits and to rededicate their energies to living in harmony with the deity Osun.
Address : Osogbo
Telephone : +234 806 231 6080
Opening times : Daily 8am-6pm.
Take a taxi one hour north of Lagos to see Sungbo's Eredo, Africa's largest pre-colonial construction, a sight rated by experts as an unknown 'Wonder of the World'. The Eredo is a rampart that is 1,050 years old, 100 miles (160km) long, and 70ft (20m) high. Locals will need to guide you in and out, as the structure is rapidly being covered by encroaching forest.The enigmatic Eredo has been linked to the myths and legends of various tribes and religions. According to the local Ijebu clan, the Eredo may have been built as a memorial to noblewoman Oloye Bilikisu Sungbo, a childless widow, whose grave is located nearby.
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