Lagos-Ogun-Oyo-Osun Cultural and Historical insight trip.
The focus of this tour will be to discover, understand and explore Nigeria's rich history in the Southwest region. These histories includes intra and inter ethnic wars, the effect of Colonialism and how it influenced the Traditional and Political landscape of present day Nigeria, The Slave trade, Ethnic influence and dominance of the Yoruba people and their culture around the world.
Nigeria is a country known for its rich history, vibrant economy and promising prospects. We shall learn about the lifestyle (Past and present) the Political environment and gain a deep understanding of the historical landscape, social behaviors, traditional practices, and other pertinent factors that contributes to the existence of Nigeria and the Yoruba people.
Day 1:
Guests arrival in Lagos and Transfer to their hotel.
Day 2:
To aid relaxation from the long flights, we shall visit Nike Art Galleria, Lekki Art and Craft Market then Lekki Conservative Center, and Terra Kulture before driving to Hakuna-Matata at Oniru and back to the hotel.
Day 3:
Understanding the political landscape of activism in the colonial era, we shall visit Freedom Park, a place used during that era for imprisoning political activists.
We shall then visit the Cathedral, the Central Mosque, Tafawa Balewa Square. TBS is a political landmark in Nigeria, also formerly a horse racing ground, where Nigeria’s independence was first celebrated in 1960.
From TBS, we will pay a visit to the Independence house, an edifice built in the early 1960's as a symbol of Nigeria's Indepence, the 25 storey building has served as the federal secretariat for several ministries in the years after Independence, when Lagos Island played the dual role of State and Federal capital respectively. We will also visit the oldest High court in Nigeria, visit Campos district. An Afro-Brazilian district, where slaves freed by Saros in Brazil (Agudas) settled in when they returned to Lagos. We will visit the National Museum and finally John Randle Center for Yoruba Culture before returning to the hotel.
Day 4:
We drive to Nigeria’s first and only full-electricity powered train, Marina Blue line train station at Marina Lagos for a 35 minutes train ride to Mile 2, from where we will travel by road for 1hr 30min to Badagry.
At Badagry, we shall visit the slave Museum, Gberefu Island (Point of No return), Velekete Slave Market, Alhaji William Abass Sariki Barracoon and ride back to Mile 2, use the train to Marina and drive to the hotel from there.
Day 5:
On this day we shall leave Lagos for a 2hrs trip to Abeokuta, visiting Olumo rock, the National Museum and Olusegun Obansanjo Presidential Library. A place established to demonstrate and deepen democracy, an historic and academic centre established as a national archive for the preservation of National documents. This place will help us understand the dynamics from a political standpoint, of leading Nigeria. From the POV of the first military ruler in Africa to hand over power to a civilian government, who also became a political prisoner to the first Nigerian civilian president.
We shall then briefly visit the Centenary hall, a commensurate site of the 100 years of peace in Abeokuta after the last inter-tribal war. We will make a stop at Itoku Market, where vendors sell the famous Adire fabric. An indigo dyed cloth made in southwestern Nigeria by Yoruba women, using a variety of resist dye techniques.
We will also visit the fetish stalls at the market where items of traditional medicine are sold before visiting the Oyan Dam, a dam that crosses the Oyan river, a tributary of the Ogun river, used primarily to supply fresh water to Lagos.
From Oyan Dam, we will embark on a 1hr 30min drive to Ibadan and stay Overnight.
Day 6:
After breakfast, we will drive to Iyake Nature suspended Lake, then have a short ride to the African Heritage Reseach Library and Cultural Centre, before the National Museum of Unity, and we will be on our way to Oshogbo. On the way, we will visit lle Ife. A town known to be the cradle of Yoruba civilization, where the founding deities Oduduwa and Obatala began the creation of the world, as directed by the paramount deity Olodumare..
We will visit the Palace of one of the most revered Oba. The Ooni of Ife. Also the spiritual head and highest-ranking King of Yorubaland and the custodian of the Yoruba traditions.
We shall visit Ife Museum, where the statue of Queen Moremi Ajasoro, a prominent female warrior that saved Ife from her enemies and the historic Oranmiyan monolith, where we will join "elders of the land" for a drink and ablution to the forefathers and recount the lores surrounding the great Oranmiyan warrior-king. We shall drive to the hotel afterwards and stay overnight there in Ife.
Day 7:
Continue to Oshogbo the main city of Osun State located in the farming region where yams, cassava, grain, cotton, and tobacco are grown.
On arrival, we will embark on a tour of this significant town known for hosting one of the most prestigious annual festivals in the country. Held along the River Osun. The festival is centered around the sacred grove of the river goddess Osun, which is 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 and shrines, sculptures, and art works in honor of Osun and other deities. The sacred grove is seen as a symbol of identity for all Yoruba people. It testifies to the once widespread practice of establishing sacred groves outside ALL settlements.
After visiting the grove, we shall tour the Ijesha water fall before driving to Mama Susan Wenger's house, Nike art center, Jimoh’s gallery before exploring the local market, after which we shall have a 3hrs 30min trip to Lagos.
Day 8:
Relaxation at Landmark beach and departure.
What's included.
1. Airport Pickup and Dropoff
2. Transportation Services and Logistics
3. Security
4. Guiding Fee
5. Entrance Fees
6. Breakfast
What's not included
1. Flight fees (Local and International)
2. Visa fee
3. Lunch and Dinner
4. Personal Shopping
5. Anything not listed on 'What's included'