TRIP TO LEKKI CONSERVATION CENTRE

I woke up this morning ecstatic about my tour of lekki conservation centre which was sponsored by TRAVELSCOPE MAGAZINE, Ibadan for valentine day celebration. Today being 14th February, 2019. I left home by 10am. The garden is located at kilometer 19 along the Lagos-Epe Expressway and ends up a very close distance to the Atlantic Ocean near Okun Ibeju Village, Eti-Osa Local Government Area in the Eastern district of Lagos State. Lekki Conservation Centre can be accessed through the Lagos-Epe Expressway. The park opens from Monday to Sunday including all public holidays. It opens from 8:00am to 4:30pm daily. 

HOW TO GET TO LEKKI CONSERVATION CENTRE

In case you need directions to Lekki Conservation Centre? Get a taxi straight to Lekki Conservation Centre from anywhere you are in Lagos. Alternatively, you can get there through an intra-city bus, just board a bus to either Obalende or CMS Park. Then get another bus heading to Lekki/Ajah, from either of these locations. Alight at Chevron Bus stop and take a very short walk to the Lekki Conservation Centre.

Side attractions includes:    

•  401-metre long canopy walkway which is a scenic attraction reputed to be the longest canopy walkway in Africa. It is an engineering feat and an amazing suspended swinging bridge walkway.  It has the entry & exit portals connecting six towers treating visitors to unique experience/unforgettable chance to explore the Nature Park and get a bird’s eye view of the habitat.

•  2-km board trail which offers excellent nature walks which offers monkey and bird watching opportunities.Side attractions along the trail include swamp outlook, bird hide, rest stops and the tree house. The 2 km nature trail behind the foremost main buildings is connected by two wooden tracks. A sturdy wooden track leading to the nature trail, reveals an expansive stretch of marshland and Savannah grassland teeming with wildlife, as well as rich aquatic flora and fauna

• Family Park which is a world-class picnic haven that offers nature walks, picnic & sporting facilities. some of the games in the sporting facilities are: chess, draft, volley ball Et.c

• Tree House which is a twenty-one meters-high tree platform where one can have a panoramic view of the picnic area, reserve, visitor’s center and children’s playground among the trees.

• Bird Hide which  overlooks a swamp/marsh which is home to bush bucks, crocodiles, mona monkeys, squirrels, peacock, snakes,pangolin,  ducker, giant rats and hogs crocodiles and monitor lizards among others. 

• 6 and 8-seater Family Huts

• Floor Games (Ludo, Snake and Ladder, Draught, Chess and Street Tennis) 

• Koi & Tilapia ponds 

• conservation center and a library

• Nature Station 
• Beach Volley-ball courts & Spectators’ pavilion
• Barbecue joints
• Jungle gym facilities (Zip Lines, monkey bars, etc)
• Serene and secure environment
• Swamp Look station
• Rotunda 
• 96-Seater Gazebos

You get ticket at the reception for 1000# and 2000# respectively. 2000# covers the canopy walk and other attractions while 1000# covers the others attractions only without the canopy walk.after the purchase of ticket, you wait about 30 mins or less for the tour guide to come pick you up. while i wait, i saw monkeys jumping about. The park is home to about 2000 monkeys, bush bucks, crocodiles, mona monkeys, squirrels, snakes,pangolin,  ducker, giant rats and hogs crocodiles and monitor lizards among others. These animals are not fed, given vaccination and any other treatment.
After waiting for about 10 mins, the park ranger came to pick up ready tourist. At the entrance of the trail, he gave briefings about the park and what to expect. i gobbled spit when he said that snakes and crocs can be lurking around so watch your step. he also warns about using of phone with care as it can fall into the swamp. he also warned about holding something eatable as monkeys will be attracted by it and come closer. 

The trail walk way was made of strong wood.  i took pictures and interacted with my friend Joseph. After about 30 mins walk, we got to a separating junction where people that paid 2000# were separated from those who paid 1000#. Children are not allowed to go on the canopy walk. Therefore, they were separated from their parents and taken by another pack ranger to the the family park together with other adults that paid 1000#. At the canopy walk, the maximum number of people per section of climbing is 6 people. And it has 6 section. 3 when going up and 3 when coming down. With resting space that separates each sections. 

The walk is 401 metre in height. At first climb, we moved up and we got to a rest point, and continue to another section. we were 7 people in the group. 2 females who are friends, I and Joseph, a man with 2 other women. (laugh) one of the 2 female friends was very afraid and was screaming all through the climb. she was walking very slow due to fear of height.

 When we got to the last height, we were already above the trees which were vast. I was ecstatic and happy. I wasn't even afraid because as an aviator, i don't fear height as I have flown on plane 5 times. Why shall i fear? the lady was just shaking and almost pee on her body (laugh.) 

The climb is not a climb for the timid. The climb of the bridge is sure to bring out the other side of you especially for ladies. Hence, if going with your girlfriend, spouse, fiancée you have to stay close to her and as a precaution don’t look down. It is an enthralling climb and it is 100% safe.

 According to the park ranger, the only time you are not allowed access to the bridge is when it is raining. We made it to the end and took pictures with the sign post placed on the wall (WELCOME TO THE LONGEST CANOPY WALK IN AFRICA).

 As we moved on the trail, we came to a junction. One leads to the exit and the other to the family park. We went to the family park. At the entrance of it, we saw a mind blowing and nerve jerking sing which states: 

"CAUTION, SNAKE AND CROCODILES IN FOREST SWAMP" The fearful lady was scared. She jumped on my back and was shaking saying she was afraid. I can stop laughing. (hahaha). I backed her to the volley ball field.

 We later went to a picnic haven and relax there. We got suya and grilled chicken stepped down with cold bottled water. Note: if you really wanna enjoy your picnic here, it is better you cook and bring your food from home or buy it outside the park including water or soft drink as it is quiet expensive in the family park. And there is no restaurant in the family park to buy food, so it is better you bring your food from outside. Price of suya ranges from 500# and grilled full chicken is 1500# while cold drink irrespective of brand is 200# and bottled water is 100 for other brand, 150# for Eva. Also on menu is coconut water that sells for 350# per unit of coconut After eating, i went on a tour of the park. it is indeed a natural beauty. I love it so much as it is perfect for a romantic date and and family picnic. 

Me and Joseph later went to play draught and take pictures. I took picture with 3 ladies who are calling me a celebrity because of the way I dress. 

we left early due to time and traffic jam is common on the Island in the evening. We said good bye to others and left. As we walk on the trail back to the main land, we saw a lot of monkeys swinging from tree to tree and we came across the tree house. Jeez!! it is on a tall tree. We also visited the pangolin advocate and protector. 

i took pictures and signed on the white board. As we came out and was at the gate, we came across is very big and old tortoise. It was said that it is 100 years old. We left after taking some pictures. It was indeed a lovely experience. 

THINGS YOU CAN DO WHILE AT THE PARK:

• Take a walk on the longest canopy walk in Africa as it is adrenaline rush walk. brace for it.
• See the giant tortoise
• play the game of chess
• play the game of draught
• play volley ball with friends and family.
•  Have a picnic and enjoy time alone. the shed made of raffia is a cool place to relax, rejuvenate, and recover your strength. At these sheds which numbers over eight, you can have a picnic or an alone time with your partner. Under these sheds, you will not miss the warmth of the breeze.   
• Explore and take a walk around the nature park as you will find Monkeys, to the beautiful Peacock, crocodiles, snakes and other wild animals, you will see all these at this reserved animal. At the same time, you will find different specie of plants.

Would you like to visit the Lekki Conservation Centre? The most suitable time to visit is during the Dry Season. The dry season is from October to March, this is the best time to visit Lekki Conservation Centre. Enjoy the best of nature during your visit to the conservation centre by exploring its breathtaking scenery, rich flora and fauna. I can also organize tour package to the centre. if you are interested, send me and email olumide3367@gmail.com for deal package and fee.