ABOUT OLUMO ROCK, ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA:

Olumo Rock is a huge granite rock of primitive formation from which the city of Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State in Nigeria, derived its name. It is 137 meters high from the base and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Nigeria,

 

Abeokuta was originally inhabited by the egba people who found refuge at the Olumo rock during inter-tribal wars in the 19th century. The rock provided sanctuary to the people as well as a vantage point to monitor the enemy’s advance leading to eventual triumph in war. The town of Abeokuta eventually grew as these new settlers spread out from this location.

 

PLANNING A TRIP TO OLUMO ROCK, NIGERIA: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

 

• Foreign Alien Visa: If you are planning on visiting Olumo Rock in Nigeria but do not hold a valid visa for travel, and you are neither a Nigerian Citizen (with a valid Nigerian Passport) nor a citizen of the Visa free travel countries (with a valid Passport) of the Economic Community Of West African States, then you must obtain a visa before leaving your home country to visit Nigeria. NOTE: Citizens of the following countries can travel visa free to Nigeria provided they hold a valid Passport: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo and Cape Verde. Citizens of Kenya may travel visa free to Nigeria and obtain a Visa at their point of entry to Nigeria.

 

• Travelling to Olumo Rock, Ogun, Nigeria: FROM OUTSIDE NIGERIA: To get to Olumo Rock from outside Nigeria, you may fly the following airlines that offer services to Lagos City. They include Delta Airlines, United Airlines, Arik Airlines, British Airways, Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Etihad Airways, EgyptAir, AirFrance, Alitalia, Royal Jordanian, Lufthansa, South African Airways, KLM and Iberia. FROM WITHIN NIGERIA: Olumo Rock is a 1hr:30min journey by road from Lagos City. Car rental/hire services operate from Lagos international Airport. A rental car will come with a driver a car who will generally drive you around for the period of your rental/hire policy. (To rent/hire a car, click here)

 

• Where to stay while visiting Olumo Rock in Ogun, Nigeria: For a list of hotels in Abeokuta, Ogun in Nigeria click Here. 

 

• ​Getting to Olumo Rock from Abeokuta, Ogun in Nigeria: Visitors are advised to rent/hire a vehicle which usually comes with a driver for the entire period. (To rent/hire a car, click here).

 

OUR TIPS: VISITING OLUMO ROCK, ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE IN NIGERIA

 

• Making Calls: Buy a local SIM card and slut it in your phone and call your loved ones from your local line. It will save you a fortune. Roaming rates you are likely to pay for answering or making a call from Nigeria will be in the region of $1.50 - $3.00 per min. A local service provide like GLO will not charge you for receving calls and when you make a call back home, it will be in the region of $0.10c - $0.70c per min with USA being cheaper at $0.10. Prepaid topup plans start from as low as $0.70 - $100. Internet Data bundles are also cheap with plans starting as low as $19.00 for 1.5GB, $32.00 for 4GB etc.

 

• Emergency Contact Number in Nigeria: for Police, Fire Service or Armbulance is 112.

 

• Tourist Medical Treatment in Nigeria: Nigeria operates a Prepaid Medical treatment system and visitors are advised to takeout a medical insurance policy with a company that serves a hospital in the city you will be visiting in Nigeria. Click here for a list of accredited medical insurance companies in Nigeria. NOTE: It is advised that you take out a policy with one of the accredited Medical insurance providers here in nigeria as hospitals may refuse your foreign medical insurance policy provider.

 

• Money: If you have a Debit or Credit card that is either a VISA or Mastercard, you can make payments over the counter at retail stores, restaurants, hotels etc and withdraw cash at a local ATM here in Nigeria at any of these Banks; UBA Bank and Guaranty Trust Bank. Nigeria has the most advance banking system in all of Africa and as long as your card is either a VISA or MASTERCARD you can make payments or make withdrawals here in the local currency at an excellent rate. NOTE: Please do not carry thousands of dollars in your pocket under a misguided thought that you will be unable to access money in Nigeria, it may be seized by Customs at the port of entry or even worse, may be lost.

 

• Foreign Alien Tourist, Driving while in Nigeria: You can drive in Nigeria with a Valid foreign driver's license issued by your home country, provided you obtain a valid International Driver's Permit (IDP) before leaving your home country. NOTE: Your IDP must be accompanied by a valid driver's license issued by your home country and carried with you at all times while driving. Further, you must verify that the vehicle you are driving while in Nigeria is insured, is road worthy (Road worthiness certificates are issued by the Vehicle Inspection Office). It is a legal requirement to carry copies of these documents with you at all times.

 

• Tour Guide/Expenses: when travelling to another country, please remember to take all pre cautions as every major city (from London to New York City) with a major tourist attracton has con artists posing as tour guides. Plan for the trip and book a 3-5 star hotel. Rent/hire a car which comes with a driver who knows the city/town excellently, he will be your tour guide for an extra tip.