Day 1: International Flight and Arrival
International flight to Lagos. Upon arrival, we will transfer to the hotel to rest and prepare to begin the journey.
Day 2: Lagos
We will start the day with a visit to Nigeria’s economic capital, a fascinating metropolis full of contrasts. We will visit the National Museum, which offers an excellent introduction to Nigeria’s immense cultural and ethnic wealth, especially the Yoruba culture, predominant in this region and representing 20% of the population.
Afterwards, we will take a walk around Lagos Island, where we can admire religious and colonial buildings — a legacy of British heritage — as well as the bustle of its markets. We will end the day with a boat ride through Makoko, an incredible neighbourhood on the lagoon where people live in stilt houses. It is astonishing how this area coexists within a city of over 20 million inhabitants, which was the capital of the country until 1991.
Day 3: Badagry
After breakfast, we will begin our westward journey, travelling around two hours to Badagry — a beautiful coastal town steeped in history. We will stroll among its old, decaying yet charming buildings, giving us a glimpse into Nigeria’s colonial past.
Day 4: Abeokuta
We will head east to reach Abeokuta, one of the most fascinating cities in West Africa. Nestled in nature, surrounded by lush vegetation and rocky hills, Abeokuta boasts the finest Afro-Brazilian architecture in all of Nigeria.
This city, with its exceptional charm and warm, welcoming population, will offer us a unique perspective on Brazilian influence in Nigeria. We will also visit the sacred Olumo Rock, a site of great importance to the Yoruba, accessible via paths flanked by voodoo temples.
We will also visit the market, particularly its impressive “juju” section, where items used in voodoo remedies and rituals are sold.
Day 5: Ibadan and Ife
On our way to Ife, we will stop at the spectacular Ibadan market. Then we will continue to Ife, a key city for the Yoruba people, as legend holds that this ethnic group originated here. Upon arrival, we will explore Enuwa Square, the city centre, and visit the Oba’s Palace, a symbol of Yoruba leadership. We will also visit the Opa Oranmiyan monolith and the city museum to gain deeper insight into Yoruba tradition and culture.
Day 6: Oshogbo
Our next stop is Oshogbo, a place of great importance in Yoruba culture. Here lies the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove — the only cultural site in Nigeria declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the last remnants of primary forest in southern Nigeria and is considered the dwelling place of Osun, the goddess of fertility, represented by the river that flows through it. The grove is filled with sculptures and shrines dedicated to Osun and other Yoruba deities.
This site is a symbol of the ancient tradition of consecrating forests to the gods. Rituals and festivals are held in the grove, and it is not uncommon to see people performing purification rites in the river.
Day 7: Return to Lagos
We return to Lagos, the economic capital of the country, to enjoy its final wonders before concluding our tour.
(End of the journey for those wishing to do only Yorubalandia.)
Extension to the North: Durbar Festival
Days 8 to 12: Durbar Festival
We will head to Kano, in the north of the country, to witness one of the most impressive celebrations: the Durbar Festival. This event, held several times a year by the Hausa ethnic group, coincides with key dates in the Islamic calendar, as the Hausa are Muslim. During the festival, the emir and his court parade on horseback in spectacular attire, followed by performances that serve as a cultural display of the power and skill of the various emirates, all within a majestic atmosphere where percussion instruments take centre stage.
Thanks to Loana Travel’s exclusive contacts, our travellers will have access to this unique festival, where the peoples of northern Nigeria — the Hausa emirates — assert their identity and power, as if they were an independent state. We will also enhance the experience by exploring the region and visiting some of its most remarkable mosques and architecture that reflects the soul of northern Nigeria.
On Day 12, we will take a return flight to Lagos.
Day 13: Lagos
We will take a final walk through the economic capital. At the scheduled time, we will transfer to the airport to board our return flight.
