On this 12 day tour of Nigeria, visit the main commercial city of Lagos, the slave town of Badagry; purchase Batik fabrics in Itoku market; view the mysterious Esie soapstone statues. Drive to Oshogbo to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site Oxun Shrine; the ancient city of Ile Ife Yoruba cradle of creation; the confluence of rivers Niger and Benue at Lokoja and the capital city of Abuja. You will also visit Kaduna; Zaria former capital of Zazzau Hausa kingdom and the ancient city of Kano centre of the old trans-Saharan trade route.

Day 01: LAGOS
On arrival in Lagos, you are met by representative of Jemi-Alade Tours and transfer to your hotel. Welcome dinner reception and tour briefing.
Overnight Eko Hotel & Suites or similar.

Day 02: LAGOS - BADAGRY
After breakfast, depart Lagos for Badagry along the coastal road west of Lagos at the Benin Republic border. Badagry was founded in the early 15th century on a lagoon off the Gulf of Guinea, its protected harbor led to the town becoming a key port in the export of slaves to the Americas, which was mainly Brazil. On arrival check-in at the hotel for an overnight stay. In Badagry you will embark on Badagry Slave Route tour including – old slave market, slave trade museum and relics, Seriki Abbas compound (slave baracoons), Gberefu beach (Slave embarkation point) etc. Lunch is at a city restaurant. Return to hotel after tour. Dinner and evening at leisure.
Overnight Whispering Palms or similar

Day 03: BADAGRY– ABEOKUTA – IBADAN
After breakfast drive to Ibadan. On the way, visit Abeokuta which is the largest city and capital of Ogun State. The original settlers of Abeokuta were of the Egba nation. Later, some members of other Yoruba clans came to the city. You will see such sites as historic Olumo Rock, Oba’s Palace and Itoku Market, where vendors sell the famous Adire fabric. Adire textile is the indigo dyed cloth made in south western Nigeria by Yoruba women, using a variety of resist dye techniques. You will also visit the fetish stalls at the market where items of traditional medicine are sold. Lunch is at the Green Resort at Obasanjo Library Complex. On arrival in Ibadan, transfer to hotel. Dinner and evening at leisure.
Overnight Owu Crown Hotel or similar.

Day 04: IBADAN – OYO – ILORIN – ESIE – OSHOGBO
After breakfast, look around the green grounds of the IITA (A tropical agricultural research Centre) before departing for Oyo to visit the Oba’s palace and other places of interest. Continue to Esie via Ogbomosho. Lunch is at a city restaurant at Ilorin. After lunch, proceed to Esie to view the mysterious soapstone statues at the Esie museum. Continue to Oshogbo and check-in at your hotel on arrival. Dinner and evening at leisure.
Overnight Ideal Nest Hotel

Day 05: OSHOGBO – ILE-IFE
After breakfast, embark on a tour of Oshogbo and environ. Oshogbo is the main city of Osun State located in the farming region where yams, cassava, grain, cotton and tobacco are grown. Oshogbo is the venue of the annual festival along the River Oxun. The festival is centered around the sacred grove of the river goddess Oxun, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The dense forest of the Oxun Sacred Grove is one of the last remnants of primary high forest in southern Nigeria. Regarded as the abode of the goddess of fertility Oxun, one of the pantheons of Yoruba gods, the landscape of the grove and its meandering river is dotted with sanctuaries and shrines, sculptures and art works in honor of Oxun and other deities. The sacred grove is seen as a symbol of identity for all Yoruba people. It testifies to the once widespread practice of establishing sacred groves outside all settlements. After lunch visit the national museum and historical sites at Ile-Ife. According to the Yoruba people, Ife is where the founding deities Oduduwa and Obatala began the creation of the world, as directed by the paramount Deity Olodumare. Return to your hotel after visits.
Overnight Ideal Nest Hotel

Day 06: OSHOGBO / LOKOJA / ABUJA
After breakfast, depart for Abuja. Visit confluence of rivers Niger and Benue at Lokoja en-route including Mount Patti at about 900 meters offering a panoramic view of the Niger-Benue confluence and environ, Holy Trinity School the first school in northern Nigeria established in 1865 by Bishop Ajayi Crowther. Located in the school's premises is the 'Iron of Liberty' an iron pole marking the spot where slaves rescued from slave merchants regained their freedom during slave trade abolition era in the early 1800s and other historical places of interest. Lunch is at a city restaurant. Proceed after lunch to visit fishing villages along the river Niger en-route Abuja. On arrival in Abuja, check-in at your hotel. Dinner and evening at leisure.
Overnight Sheraton Abuja Hotel or Similar.

Day 07: ABUJA
Abuja is an entirely purpose-built, planned city and it serves as the capital of Nigeria. The site of the new capital was chosen because of its central location, easy accessibility, pleasant climate, low population density, and the availability of land for future expansion. Not only was a city designed, but an entire environment. Abuja is surrounded by abundant hills, highlands, Savannah grassland, and tropical rainforests. After breakfast, enjoy a city tour of Abuja, including the national assembly complex, central business district, International conference centre, Millennium Park, which was designed by renowned architect Manfred Nicolette and was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II, Christian Ecumenical centre, national mosque with its golden dome glistening in the sun, arts & craft village with souvenir from around the country, shopping and sightseeing. Return to your hotel after the tour. Dinner and evening at leisure.
Overnight Sheraton Abuja Hotel or Similar.

Day 08: ABUJA - KADUNA
After breakfast, depart Abuja for Kaduna by the newly built railway train service and enjoy a scenic view of the country side along the way. Kaduna, capital of the state with same name in the north-central part of Nigeria is a trade center and a major transportation hub for the surrounding agricultural areas. The symbol of Kaduna is the crocodile, called kada in the native Hausa language. Upon arrival in Kaduna, take the city tour, which includes the Kaduna museum, Arewa house and Hassan Katsina Park among other sites. Lunch is at a city restaurant. Proceed to your hotel after tour. Dinner and evening at leisure.
Overnight Fifth Chukker, Kangimi Resort

Day 09: KADUNA – ZARIA - KANO
In the morning depart Kaduna for Kano and visit the old city of Zaria en-route. Zaria used to be the capital city of the Zazzau’s Hausa kingdom, now it is an agricultural town within Kaduna state. Principal points of interest in Zaria are the Emir’s Palace, Ahamadu Bello University, which is one the largest universities in Nigeria on the African continent, the museum and other various historical sites. Late afternoon arrival in Kano, the principal city in the north of the country. Like in most parts of Northern Nigeria the Hausa language is widely spoken in Kano. It is believed to be founded by a blacksmith of the Gaya tribe who in ancient times came to Dalla hill in the locality in search of iron. The city's traditional ruler is the Emir of Kano. Check-in at your hotel on arrival. Dinner and evening at leisure.
Overnight Prince Hotel or similar.

Day 10: KANO
A full day tour of Kano and environs includes such landmarks as the Emir’s palace, Central mosque, old city walls and gates, Kofar Mata dye pits, and the ancient Kurmi market. Founded in 1498, the Kofar Mata pits are said to be the oldest in Africa and are the only survivor of Kano's dye trade, which once included 13 pit complexes. For five hundred years the dyers at these pits have crouched over circular pits near the mud city wall. Visit Gidan Makama museum, which has a significant collection of arts, crafts and items of historical interest related to the Kano area. Kano is largely Muslim. The majority of Kano Muslims are Sunni, though a minority adheres to the Shia branch. Christians and followers of other non-Muslim religions form a small part of the population, and traditionally lived in the Sabon Gari, or foreign quarters. Return to hotel after tour. Dinner and evening at leisure.
Overnight Prince Hotel or similar.

Day 11: KANO – LAGOS
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flight to Lagos. LAGOS (Eko local name) the vibrant commercial capital of Nigeria founded about 1630 is located on the Atlantic coast of West Africa and composed of islands, mainland & a peninsula. Metropolitan Lagos, a world mega-city with over 21 million inhabitants is the most populous in Africa. On arrival, embark on a drive through Lagos Island, Victoria Island and Lekki Peninsula areas of the city with stopovers at the museum, Freedom park, Brazilian Quarters, Eko Atlantic city, Tinubu square, Nike art gallery and Isale Eko old section of the city, promises an exciting sightseeing tour. Lunch is at a city restaurant. A boat ride on the lagoon with panoramic view of the city is the high point. Shopping at souvenir shops at Lekki International market. Return to hotel after tour. Dinner and evening at leisure.
Overnight Eko Hotel & Suites or similar.

Day 12: LAGOS
After breakfast, day at leisure for shopping and sightseeing. Evening transfer to the airport for your onward flight. End of tour.