Up next was Ibadan, in Oyo State. I visited the renowned Agodi Gardens where I ended up at the zoo which had a couple of interesting animals.
I have always thought and still have the opinion that there isn’t much to see in Oyo State, which has its capital city as Ibadan. Although while I was young, I remember visiting the University of Ibadan Zoo with my Dad. It was actually the first place I saw a Lion, I also remember seeing a preserved dead python.
Fast track to this day, I still don’t think there is anything awesome, I stand to be corrected though. However just before my trip I had always heard about Agodi Gardens. My friends who studied in Ibadan have increasingly sang it into my ears and I had seen a few mentions on social media.
Visitors are required to pay an entrance fee of 500naira and its really a nice place to have a Saturday or Sunday picnic. The garden is properly maintained, clean and green, of course that is because its privately owned. I took a leisurely walk around the garden reminiscing about the past few days and how it would soon come to an end.
For those who love animals and would want to see a couple, there is a zoo with expansion plans in progress which has got a couple of animals.
I did not particularly like the way this baboon was housed, not that I am a pro animal rights activist or something of that sort. I just felt the poor thing looked sad and it would have been receptive if it had more space with tress and stuff, something to make it look like its natural habitat. I hope the expansion plans has got something for this creature.
The garden has also got a swimming pool and rafts for those interested in water sports.
There is also a small section for kids to play and have fun.
Ibadan for me was a whisk through as I left the same day I got in.
Have you been to Ibadan or another part of Oyo State? Did you have a different experience. I’d love to know.
8 Comments
I think Ibadan would be interesting for cultural tourism. I also spent less than a day when I passed through. I visited the zoo, Cocoa House – first skyscraper in Nigeria built entirely from cocoa and a very lovely museum inside the house.
My guides suggested many other places to try out and I have decided to go back. I missed out on Agodi garden, is the zoo located there or it’s the one in UI? Anyway, I would definitely put it on my itinerary.
I saw the cocoa house but didn’t go in, I shld next time I’m there and yeah the zoo is inside Agodi gardens.
I love the pictures of Agodi garden. Where is it located precisely in Ibadan. But Oyo state is way beyond ibadan and I agree with Amarachi Oyo state is best for cultural tourism. The Alaaafin of Oyo’s palace in Oyo town, The hilly and mountainous towns surrounding Iseyin will reveal a lot more about the Yoruba tradition and people.
It’s at Agodi close to secretarial. I should check out your suggestions when next i’m in there.
Lovely, keep it up
Thanks Hammed.
Another nice one. Keep it up ae.
Thanks Amarachi for mentioning the museum in cocoa house, never knew there was one there. I’ve to check that out.
Yeah! I should check it out also