If you ask me about Africa, top of my list would be Safari.
And speaking of Safari, I bet some of us must've watched a TV series about a vet clinic in Africa. It was Daktari! Remember that? Babies of the 70's and early 80's? Need to jog you memory? Just click here for the opening theme. Ahhhhh the 'good ole days'.
I did browsed for safari in Nigeria but to no avail. It was when my friend, Yunus and family came to visit us last month, he mentioned a name which I've totally forgot about it. It was Lekki Conservation Centre. So off we went with Khairy from MATRADE on a balmy Saturday morning.
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| toll gate at Lekki bridge |
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| signboard to the conservation |
Past the seventh roundabout from the Ozumba Mbadiwe Toll gate (if you're from that side of Victoria Island), the conservation centre will be on your right.
Don't worry if the gates are closed, it's the norm here in Nigeria. Every gates to offices, buildings, hotels, residential estates, mansions, houses, apartments, schools, restaurants, supermarkets etc are manned by security guard(s). Just tell them you're there to visit the place...that's all.
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You will arrive at the main building and alight there. Buy the ticket to the conservation centre on the left side of the building. There's always a short lecture going on in the main building.
We paid N1000 for adult entrance fee, guide provided to bring you around the area. There's also the canopy walk which is at 401m long, the longest in Africa. But only visitors above 14 are allowed to use it and entail additional expenditure.
But even before we explore the place, the children were shrieking when the found a huge tortoise burrowed underneath a pair of palm trees in front of the main building!
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As usual, I would begin to take photos of even the dullest info board at the centre. It was when at home, I noticed it was funny. Take a look and let me know at the comment column.
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We began our trip into the reserve as soon as we bought the tickets and we didn't have to wait long to look the resident of the park. Instead, they came to 'greet' us.
A troop of monkeys popped from nowhere and gave us a look. One was very animated enough, as if sizing us (pic. below) and wondering what sort of primates we were. Someone among us asked the guide, what sort of monkey....and a name popped up, Mona.
A troop of monkeys popped from nowhere and gave us a look. One was very animated enough, as if sizing us (pic. below) and wondering what sort of primates we were. Someone among us asked the guide, what sort of monkey....and a name popped up, Mona.
Mona monkey!
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A small troop of them watched us when we went further into the park. I won't say they're tame, but quite used to human presence. After all, you're not allowed to feed them.
About the walkway, it's just a few feet above ground. The area was either water logged or a swamp or what's left of it. From that area, it became a forest...of oil palm trees. There were other trees as well, but the palm trees were dominant.
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| trees with stilts roots |
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| palm trees |
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| the children and guide at the first stop |
Not far from the first stop, we arrived at the canopy walk in the reserve. Only 14-65y.o visitors are allowed on it with additional charge, prepaid at the office's counter.
From there, our group split into two and we pushed on towards the grassland at the end of the walkway. A sole male Mona monkey made its presence felt at the canopy walk. It walked confidently on the wire, slide down at the end of the line and strut on the handrail of the walkway. Maybe looking for the girls we met at the reserve's entrance.
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| walkway to the canopy walk |
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| visitors on the canopy walk and the male Mona monkey |
We arrived at the end of the walkway and the area was suitable for camping. Khairy asked me to take his picture and he said "with the trees they have, it looked like Malaysia".
Yunus and his family were way ahead. They arrived at a what supposed to be a 'Grassland' area. It has a few gazebos and garden size board games. There were chess, checkers (draughts) and Ludo. The gazebos were clean and suitable for Saturday picnic with friends.
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| Khairy |
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| some of the gazebos on site |
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| checkers |
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| chess |
Not far from the biggest gazebo, there's a huge tilapia fish pool. The filter must be off because the color of the pool was green. Nevertheless, our guide brought with him some fish feed and began to throw some. There were lots of red tilapia and more came and the children became excited.
A 'koi' pond at the back of the tilapia pool, threw some fish feed but if did not come to feed. There were a glimpse of a few of the fishes and they were huge.
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| feeding time at the tilapia's pool |
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| our guide with Yunus's youngest daughter |
We underestimated our visit to the conservation. Really! We didn't bring enough water and now, we have to trek back all the way we came from; but using the other route. Best bring enough water for each person. Even if you feel enough, bring extra!
This route was similar to the other one, but we passed a big dark pool where there's iguanas and crocodile according to our guide. A crocodile lookout erected above the pool to observe the reptiles in the park but am not sure if it still useable.
We looked out for each other, just in case. I wondered being the heaviest if the walkway would just sink under my weight. Walking above the pool, I have to say it was one of the longest 10 minutes of my life! Not keen to become croc feed....
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| walkway stop |
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| the crocodile pool |
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| still water....suddenly, whoompf...croc feed!! |
I was glad to be back at the centre and away from the walkway. The first place we head for was the small cafe there and bought water for everyone. Our next on the itinerary was for me and Khairy to bring Yunus and wife to Lekki arts and craft market. The children unfortunately have madam to look after them and have lunch together at Spur.
Even the peacock was happy to see me. It brought along some peahen to show off to the rest of the visitors. Actually, there's a sizeable number of visitors but we or rather I feel more could be done regarding the upkeep of the grassland area.
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| peacock and its harem |
Khairy and I talked at length about the potential of the place since in Malaysia, these sort of area are very much sought after for corporate team building session. The place has potential....I wish it was...ahem....mine.
Anyway to those haven't been there, arrange a visit soon. Am sure the children would love it. A change of scenery once a while is good for anyone.
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