Exploring Abeokuta and Ibadan by Train: A Journey of Wildlife, Culture, and Cuisine

As a travel enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for new and exciting destinations to explore. Recently, I had the pleasure of arranging a trip for my friend Lulu and her dad to the historic cities of Abeokuta and Ibadan, both located in southwestern Nigeria. What made this trip unique was that we traveled by train, which added to the adventure and allowed us to take in the beautiful scenery along the way. In this blog post, I’ll share our travel experiences, including the places we visited, the hotels we stayed in, and the activities we did.

Exploring Abeokuta and Ibadan by train

Day 1:

We started our journey early in the morning, boarded the train at the Lagos station. The train ride to Abeokuta took about two hours, during which we enjoyed the scenic view of the countryside. Upon arrival at the Abeokuta train station, we called an Uber to take us to our hotel, Green Legacy Resort.

The resort was located in a serene environment with beautiful landscapes and stunning views look out for a full blogpost on the resort. After checking in, we decided to visit the OOPL wildlife park, which was just a few minutes walked within the resort. At the park, we saw different species of animals, including lion, hyena, giraffe, and monkeys. It was a thrilling experience, and we took lots of photos to capture the moment.

Next, we visited the Obasanjo Presidential Library, where we learned about the life and times of the former Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo. The library was filled with historical artifacts, and we enjoyed the interactive displays and the guided tour. For lunch, we went to the city to meet up with a friend and tried out some local delicacies. Later in the day, we visited the famous Olumo Rock, a massive rock formation that had become a tourist attraction in Abeokuta. We climbed the rock and were rewarded with breathtaking views of the city. We ended the day by watching “The Woman King” movie at the OOPL Cinema at the resort we then call it a day.

Day 2:

After a restful night’s sleep, we woke up early and checked out of the hotel to catch the train to Ibadan. The train ride took about two hours, and we enjoyed the scenery along the way. Upon arrival in Ibadan, we took a taxi to our hotel, Ilaji Resort, which was located on the outskirts of the city.

The resort was luxurious and had an impressive view of the surrounding hills. We decided to take it easy on the first day and explore the hotel’s amenities, including the spa, swimming pool, and restaurant. Later in the day, we visited the Tunde Odunlade Art and Culture Connexions, a museum that showcased the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people. We learned about the history, art, and music of the Yoruba people and saw some impressive art pieces. Next, we visited the Ibadan council house, where we learned about the history of Ibadan and its traditional rulers.

We climbed a nearby hill and saw the panoramic view of the city. Our next stop was Bower’s Tower, a historic monument that offered great views of the city. We also took the opportunity to visit the local manufacturer from blocking making industry to oil and many others. For dinner, we tried out some local cuisine with different Nigerian delicacies at the hotel’s restaurant. We ended the day by having drinks at the hotel’s bar.

Day 3:

On day 3, we woke up early and had a delicious breakfast at the Ilaji Resort in Ibadan more detail about the resort would be feature in our next post. After breakfast, we checked out of the resort and headed back to Lagos by train. The train ride back to Lagos was smooth and comfortable, and we were able to enjoy the scenic views along the way as well.

Once we arrived in Lagos, we said our goodbyes, Lulu and her dad expressed their gratitude for the amazing trip. It was a pleasure to have shown them around and exposed them to the rich cultural heritage of Abeokuta and Ibadan.

Overall, it was a memorable trip filled with fun activities, delicious food, and beautiful scenery. We hope to do it again soon!

My team and I are available to provide guidance and assistance for those who need help traveling within and around Nigeria.