Nigeria · Culture

7-Day Cultural Tour of South-West Nigeria with Osun Sacred Grove

7 Days Round trip from IKEJA Easy pace

Travelers at the Badagry Heritage Museum

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Discover the historic slave trade sites of Badagry, including the old market and Gberefu beach
02 Visit Olumo Rock and Itoku Market to admire the famous Adire fabric in Abeokuta
03 Learn about the cradle of Yoruba civilization at Ile Ife and the Palace of the Ooni
04 Explore the Osun Sacred Grove, a UNESCO World Heritage Site honouring the goddess Osun
05 Marvel at the Oba's palace, museum, and ancient guild of bronze casters in Benin City
06 Tour Lagos landmarks such as Lekki Conservation Centre, Nike Art Gallery, and Kalakuta Republic

Embark on a cultural odyssey through Nigeria's historic cities and vibrant landmarks on this 7-day journey from Lagos through Badagry, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Ile Ife, Osogbo, Owo, and Benin City. Trace the harrowing legacy of the slave trade in Badagry, explore ancient Yoruba civilization in Abeokuta and Ile Ife, and delve into the mystical traditions of Osogbo at the Osun Sacred Grove, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tour also reveals Benin City's royal and artistic heritage before concluding with a captivating exploration of Lagos' iconic attractions, from Lekki Conservation Centre to Nike Art Gallery and the Kalakuta Republic Museum.

Explore the grove's dense forest, dotted with sanctuaries, shrines, sculptures, and artworks honouring Osun and other deities.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Benin, Lagos, Abeokuta, Owo, Oshogbo, Ife, Ibadan

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival in Lagos

On arrival in Lagos, you will be met by our representatives and transferred to your hotel.
After check-in, proceed on an evening outing for dinner and entertainment.
Return to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure. Overnight at Lagos Continental Hotel or similar.

Day 02

Badagry Slave Route Tour and Transfer to Abeokuta

After breakfast, depart on a day visit to Badagry along the coastal road west of Lagos at the Benin Republic border. Badagry, founded in the early 15th century on a lagoon off the Gulf of Guinea, became a key port for the export of slaves to the Americas, mainly Brazil.
Embark on the Badagry "Slave Route" tour, including the old slave market, slave trade museum and relics, Seriki Abbas compound (slave baracoons), Gberefu beach (the slave embarkation point), and more.
Lunch is at a city restaurant. Proceed to Abeokuta and check in to your hotel on arrival. Overnight at Park Inn by Radisson.

Day 03

Abeokuta Heritage Visit and Drive to Ibadan

After breakfast, drive to Ibadan. On the way, visit Abeokuta, the largest city and capital of Ogun State. The original settlers of Abeokuta were of the Egba nation, and later, some members of other Yoruba clans came to the city.
Explore historic Olumo Rock and Itoku Market, known for vendors selling the famous Adire fabric, an indigo-dyed cloth made by Yoruba women using resist-dye techniques.
Visit the fetish stalls at the market, where traditional medicine items are sold.
Lunch is at the Obasanjo Library Complex. Depart after lunch for Ibadan and check in to your hotel on arrival.
Dinner and evening at leisure. Overnight at Golden Tulip Hotel or similar.

Day 04

Ile Ife and Osun Sacred Grove in Osogbo

After breakfast, depart for Oshogbo. On the way, visit Ile Ife, known as the cradle of Yoruba civilization.
Explore the Palace of the Ooni of Ife, the spiritual head and highest-ranking King of Yorubaland.
Visit Ife Museum, the statue of Queen Moremi Ajasoro, a prominent female warrior who saved Ife from her enemies, and the historic Oranmiyan monolith. Join the "elders of the land" for a drink and ablution to the forefathers while recounting the lore surrounding the great Oranmiyan warrior-king.
Continue to Oshogbo, the main city of Osun State, located in a farming region where various crops are grown.
On arrival, embark on a tour of the town, known for the annual festival along the River Osun, centred around the sacred grove of the river goddess Osun, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Osun Sacred Grove is one of the last remnants of the primary high forest in southern Nigeria and is regarded as the abode of the goddess of fertility, Osun.
Explore the grove's dense forest, dotted with sanctuaries, shrines, sculptures, and artworks honouring Osun and other deities.
The sacred grove is seen as a symbol of identity for all Yoruba people, testifying to the once widespread practice of establishing sacred groves outside all settlements.
Continue to your hotel for dinner and enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure. Overnight at Ideal Nest Hotel.

Day 05

Owo Royal Heritage and Benin City Tour

After breakfast, depart for Benin City. En route, visit the ancient Oba's (King's) palace and museum at Owo.
On arrival in Benin City, check in to your hotel, then proceed on a tour of the city.
Explore the Benin Museum with its large collection of ancient Benin artefacts, the Oba's palace, Benin Heritage Center, and Igun quarters, home to the ancient guild of bronze casters.
Return to your hotel after the tour. Dinner and the rest of the evening at leisure. Overnight at Protea Hotel by Marriott.

Day 06

Benin City to Lagos with Lagos City Highlights

After breakfast, explore the city before catching your flight to Lagos.
On arrival in Lagos, embark on a city tour starting from NCF Lekki Conservation Centre, a nature reserve where nature meets nurture.
Walk on the boardwalk and Skywalk Canopy to observe monkeys, beautiful birds, and a manmade pond with coloured fish.
Proceed to Lekki International Craft Market for handmade arts and craft items.
Continue to Nike Art Gallery & Cultural Centre, the biggest private gallery of art in West Africa, with the largest collection of artworks by various contemporary Nigerian artists.
Visit the Kalakuta Republic Museum, highlighting the life of legendary Afrobeat musician Fela Kuti. Explore Fela's preserved bedroom, artefacts, exhibits, and the mausoleum where he is buried.
Proceed to the New Africa Shrine, an open-air entertainment centre with a live shrine dedicated to the memory of Fela.
Experience live musical shows with Femi Kuti and the Positive Force band on Sunday and Thursday evenings (optional).
Return to your hotel. Evening at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 07

Lagos Shopping and Departure

Following a sumptuous breakfast, embark on last-minute shopping and sightseeing at markets and malls around the city.
Transfer to the airport to catch your onward flight home.