A REVIEW ON LEKKI CONSERVATION CENTER
A typical Nigerian is always looking out for the next best relaxation spot. The idea of places of entertainment and enjoyment always intrigues an average young person.
So when you google fun things to do in Lagos, a trip to Lekki conservation center pops up. The most interesting thing is that the kind of pictures you would see would give you the impression that it is a pack load of jungle adventure mixed with a thrill for the fear of height! People pride themselves in the fact that they have walked the longest canopy walk in Africa and you’d be like wow I want to do that too!
Amazingly, there are a ton of reviews online about the popular LCC, Google alone has over 6,000 reviews with a 4.3 rating and all top reviews give it a 5- star thumb up!
The Centre was established in 1990 to serve as a biodiversity conservation icon and environment education Centre. The facility was built by the Chevron Corporation for the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), as a reserved sanctuary for the rich flora and fauna of the Lekki Peninsula. So indeed this is a place you’d want to visit when you are in Lagos, especially if you value Nature and wildlife.
The problem is, if you do not get any excitement or fulfillment from inhaling fresh forest air and beholding nature in its raw form or seeing monkeys jumping from tree to tree then you might end up wondering why you decided to pay N2000 to walk your legs out and go home.
The reserve area which covers a land area of 78 hectares is located in Lekki Peninsula, next to the Lekki Lagoon, and near the Lagos Lagoon. It protects the wetlands of the Lekki peninsula which consists of swamp and savannah habitats. Approaching the reserve, there’s a boulevard of coconut trees which leads to a well laid out car and Visitors Park. It is endowed with an abundance of plant and animal life. Its huge tract of wetlands is set aside for wildlife viewing. Raised walkways enable viewing of animals like monkeys, crocodiles, snakes, and various birds.
The wetlands are managed by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, and it now includes a figure-of-eight system of footpaths, with hiking trails and stepping stones to cross waterways. A trail boardwalk was constructed in 1992 to enrich tourists’ view of the vast resources of the nature reserve which is encapsulated on a mangrove terrain. Side attractions along the trail include swamp outlook, bird hide, rest stops, and the treehouse. The 1.8 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.
And as amazing as this sounds, nobody is going to take you through a thorough tour of the Centre nor would you see crocodiles, snakes or bed nests. Your best bet at having a pleasurable time is going with friends or family who you can just chill with and gist while you all take a long walk. It would also help to add a little more drama to the walk if you have friends who are afraid of heights.
So is there a hype about it? Of course, there is! Do people have a fun time when they go there? Well, some people say they do while others get to the end of the canopy walk and be like “ is that all?” and a very few others would climb up into the treehouse and inscribe their names in the wooden cabin just to tell the world, I’ve been here and I’ve done that!
Well, if you make up your mind to have your narrative of Africa’s longest canopy walk, then please do well to wear comfortable clothes and shoes, Prepare for a picnic setting after your walk and don’t forget to carry a water bottle to avoid dehydration! Most importantly, take beautiful pictures to always keep the memories close.
