Let me share my New Year's Day adventure at Lekki Conservation Centre! I've been planning this trip for a while, and what better way to kick off 2025 than with a nature escape with my fiancée? 😊
When we pulled up to the entrance around 1 PM, I was a bit shocked by the ticket price - 7,500 naira per person! That's quite a jump from their regular rates, but hey, it was New Year's Day, and everywhere in Lagos was charging holiday prices. My fiancée just smiled and said, "It better be worth it!" (Spoiler alert: it totally was!)
Right from the entrance, you could tell this place was special. The trees formed this amazing natural canopy over our heads, and the air felt different, you know that fresh, crisp feeling you get when you're away from city pollution? That's exactly what hit us!
The first thing that caught our attention was this massive map of the conservation center. It showed all these different trails and attractions, and my fiancée immediately pointed to the famous canopy walkway. "We're doing that first!" she declared, while I nervously laughed, trying not to show that I'm not exactly best friends with heights! 😅
As we walked deeper into the center, we kept stopping every few minutes because everything looked so picture worthy. The pathway was lined with these information boards about the different plants and animals you might spot. I found myself reading every single one , did you know they have over 100 bird species here? 🦜
Then we came across this really cool chess playground area. It's like they merged nature with entertainment! There were these concrete chess tables set up under huge trees, and a few families were actually having intense matches. My fiancée others around challenged me to a quick game, and let's just say... I should probably stick to my day job! 😂
The real adventure started when we reached what they call the "Point of No Return" - dramatic name, right? It's basically the entrance to the canopy walkway, and let me tell you, they're not kidding with that name! Once you start, there's only one way to go - forward!
Now, let me paint you a picture of this walkway. Imagine six connecting bridges suspended 40 feet in the air, swaying slightly with every step. The thing about these bridges is that they don't just go straight across - they zigzag between these massive wooden towers, giving you a bird's eye view of the entire conservation center.
I tried to act tough, but my hands were literally shaking as I took the first step. My fiancée, on the other hand, was practically skipping across! 🤦♂️ The funny part? She was the one who's usually scared of heights!
About halfway through the first bridge, something incredible happened. A family of monkeys decided to put on a show for us! They were swinging through the trees right beside the walkway, completely unbothered by our presence. It was like they were saying, "Welcome to our home!"
But then came the most challenging part , the middle section. It's the highest point of the walkway, and you can feel every tiny movement. My heart was doing somersaults, and I'm pretty sure I set a new record for the number of times someone can say "Oh my God" in one minute! 😱
My fiancée kept encouraging me: "Don't look down, just look ahead!" But of course, what do you do when someone says don't look down? Yep, I looked down. Big mistake! The ground seemed miles away, and for a moment, I seriously considered becoming a permanent resident of that bridge!
The crazy thing is, once you get past the initial fear, it becomes... kind of fun? There's something weirdly liberating about being up there, surrounded by nothing but air and treetops.
After conquering the canopy walkway (yes, I'm counting it as a personal victory!), we explored some of the other trails.
We also found this peaceful little pond area with benches around it.
It was the perfect spot to catch our breath and share the snacks we'd packed. Pro tip: bring water and something to munch on, because all that walking really works up an appetite!
As the afternoon wore on, we noticed the security guards starting to make their rounds, gently reminding everyone that closing time was approaching. Apparently, the wildlife gets pretty active at dusk - especially the monkeys and snakes. While part of me was curious to see that, the other part was totally fine with heading out before any surprise animal encounters!
One of the guards shared this fascinating story about how they sometimes find python trails in the morning. That's when I decided it was definitely time to wrap up our visit! 😂
Looking back, what made this trip special wasn't just the incredible views or the adrenaline rush from the canopy walk. It was sharing all these little moments with my fiancée - her victory dance after beating me at chess, the way she practically had to drag me across the bridges, and how we both got super excited every time we spotted a new bird or butterfly.
For anyone planning to visit Lekki Conservation Centre, here are some quick tips from our experience:
- Go early! The heat can get pretty intense by midday
- Wear comfortable shoes - you'll be doing lots of walking
- Bring water and snacks
- Don't forget your camera
- If you're scared of heights like me, maybe practice some breathing exercises before tackling the canopy walkway! 😅
The holiday price tag might seem steep, but for a unique New Year's Day experience, it was totally worth it. Where else in Lagos can you walk among treetops, play chess in a forest, and have monkeys as your audience?
As we drove home that evening, tired but happy, my fiancée turned to me and said, "Same time next year?" And you know what? Despite all my dramatic moments on those bridges, I found myself nodding. There's something magical about starting the year reconnecting with nature - even if it means facing your fears!
This definitely beats the usual New Year's Day routine of sleeping in and watching movies. Sometimes the best memories come from stepping out of your comfort zone - quite literally, in this case, about 40 feet out of it!
If you're ever in Lagos and looking for an adventure that's a bit different from the usual beach trips and restaurant visits, give Lekki Conservation Centre a try. Just remember to bring your courage if you're planning to tackle those bridges - and maybe avoid looking down! 😉