Nigeria is blessed with so many natural and captivating sights, from hills to amazing waterfalls. When it comes to centres of tourist attraction in south western Nigeria, there are places that comes to mind. You can’t help but to agree with me that some certain sights in the south-western Nigeria are completely out of this world!
In this article we would be looking at tourist attraction centres in the west.
1. IDANRE HILL – The idanre hill, or ‘oke idanre’ as it is popularly called is located in idanre town in Ondo state of the south western Nigeria. It has a rich cultural heritage which includes cultural sites like; the Owa’s palace, shrines, old court, belfry, Agboogun foot print, thunder water (Omi apaara), and burial mounds and grounds.
The hills consist of high plains with spectacular valleys interspersed with inselbergs of about 3000ft above sea level. It houses a unique ecosystem upon which the cultural landscape has integrated.
On getting to the entrance of the hill you will see a great tree at the entrance of the ancient city called the IRAYE TREE. Then you can now get prepared to take the steps to the great city beyond the hills of idanre. Before you embark on your journey, you would be advised by tour guide to at least get a bottle of water to quench your thirst, because it’s going to be a very long climb up the hill.it is about 667 steps to the top of the hill, so make sure you purchase at least a 50cl bottle water before climbing the hill, which you will definitely consume before getting to the summit.
Among the notable sites that catches the fancy of many tourists are the unreadable letters, believed to be a ‘mysterious handwriting’ etched on the rock, which could not be deciphered or interpreted by anyone since it was noticed conspicuously on the rock. Also, there’s ‘Arun’ river which is believed to have natural power to heal all manners of ailment and diseases, and it has been visited by many over the years.
The one that catches my fancy the most is the Agboogun footprints, which represent an attractive spectre of a mythical footprint which could fit into the size of anyone who put their foot in it, regardless of their size. On getting to the top of the hill is a one of the most fascinating sights to behold, where visitors have the opportunity to see the panoramic view of the town from atop of the hill. ‘IDANRE’ a town surrounded by hills!
OLUMO ROCK – Olumo rock is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Nigeria, sit in the ancient city centre of Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital. The rock dates back to the days when songs of war dominated the airwaves in Yoruba land, that was in the first quarter of 19th century, when Oyo Empire was falling apart from the pressure of Fulani attacks from outside and fraternal conflicts from within.
Olumo rock is nature’s massive monuments made of indigenous materials. With the highest point of 137meters from the base of the rock.
Historically, olumo rock was discovered by a hunter-farmer named Adagba, and he found the rock to be a natural place of refuge from wars and threat of wars. It was noted that during the raining season, olumo rock produced water that could be used by local herbalists to cure sickness and diseases, but it stopped producing water about 50years back. Close to this point was a tomb behind the house of a chief called sonni osi-toko who died on the 23rd of January 1956 at 122years. Climbing the rock could be extremely challenging, which is why escalators and glass elevator running different level of the rock are made available for tourists. At the summit of the rock, tourists have the opportunity to having a panoramic view of the city from the top of the rock. So when next you are visiting Abeokuta, you should consider paying the olumo rock a visit, it is an incredible sight to behold!
ERIN-IJESHA WATER FALL – Erin-ijesha waterfall popularly known as ‘olumirin’ waterfalls is located in Erin-ijesha. It is a popular tourist attraction in Osun state, Nigeria.
The water has an astounding assemblage of seven unique levels, with each level providing you with a whole new sights when compared to the previous level. The view at all level is wonderful and the freshness of the water is thrilling. Nevertheless, the final level which is the seventh level is definitely the most intriguing, well that is if ever dared the torturous climb.
The breeze at the waterfall is refreshing and cool, the water flows among rocks and splashes down with a great force to the ever green vegetation around it. The whole scenery is fascinating and peaceful, so when thinking of a destination for a refreshing and fascinating sightseeing, you should consider visiting ‘olumirin’ waterfall.
IKOGOSI WARM SPRINGS – The Ikogosi warm springs is located in Ekiti west local government area of Ekiti state Nigeria in a valley from surrounding hills at a warm spring.
Ikogosi warm spring is one of nature’s gift to mankind with beautiful vegetation surrounding the highly thick forest with natural and rich vegetation that is closely maintained and protected from arbitrary deforestation. The resort is one of the tourist attractions that this country could ever be proud of, because of the history and myth surrounding it. The mysterious thing about this resort is the fact that there is a rock from which the water flows side by side, warm and cold waters both of which arrives at a meeting point.
History has it that the spring (warm and cold) were wives of the same husband who turned to spring water in the wake of rift and rivalry between. The spring sprout out and flow with a constant temperature and volume of up to 150litres per seconds from morning till night, at all season. The whole environment has been deliberately left un-tampered with for ecotourism appeal, while the source of the warm spring has been provided with a viewing structure for easy spotting by tourists.
ERINTA WATERFALL – I had to add this to the list because of the proximity to Ikogosi warm springs, the waterfall is about 15 to 20minutes drive from Ikogosi.
Erinta waterfalls at ipole-iloro is located at about 6km North-West of ikogosi. Erinta waterfalls are a wonder spectacle to behold, cascading down hills from a great altitude to form a flowing pool of spring water amidst natural forest vegetation. The waterfall is a spectacle to behold, watch, and marvel at. The place is ideal for relaxation, picnics, mountain climbing and hiking. So when next you are visiting ikogosi and its environs, don’t forget to visit Erinta waterfalls which is just few minute drive from Ikogosi.