Traveling through Ondo was absolutely magical and if you’re trying to have as much fun while in Ondo State, here are the BEST things to do in Ondo.
Ondo State, located in the southwestern region of Nigeria, is a nature lover’s paradise. With its lush rainforests, picturesque waterfalls, and serene beaches, Ondo State offers a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy. Here are just a few of the best things to do in Ondo State:
Visit Idanre Hills
If you only have just one day in Ondo, then hiking the amazing Idanre hills is something you should NOT skip out on. Idanre hills is arguably the best thing to do in Ondo state.
These ancient hills offer visitors a glimpse into the rich cultural history of the area. The hills were once home to the locals before they moved for better access and convenience and it offers spectacular views of the surrounding landscape
Definitely make sure to pack a couple of bottles of cold water for the hike as you will get pretty exposed to the sun during the hike, and dehydration is no fun. My friends and I packed picnic-friendly snacks with some wine for a light lunch up on the hills. The views up there are magnificent and it is an experience I look forward to embarking on again in the future.
During my last hike, a lady had set up shop at the base of the hills, but she opened a bit later in the day. Grabbing a really cold bottle of beer at her store was uber refreshing after the hike.
For the best experience, you should go with a guide that will tell you the stories of the people that once called Idanre Hills home and guide you safely through the hills.
Guide
Idanre Hills Guide: Mr. Gbenga – +234 706 433 2221
Try Out the Local Palm Wine in Ondo (Palmi – pidgin)
Ondo state is home to a large extension of mangroves with a great abundance of palm trees which the locals tap the sweet nectar of palm wine from. We visited The Palm Bistro for jugs of some freshly tapped palmi (palm wine) and drank healthy portions of it on our first night in Ondo. The interior needed a bit of work when I visited, but you can buy palm wine in 5-liter kegs to-go and have it as your go-to drink while traveling through the state. A gulp of cold palm wine on a hot day is recommended.
Make sure to keep the keg refrigerated as palm wine naturally oxidizes. If you want the sour notes in the drink, then let it oxidizes, but if you prefer it sweet with slightly tangy notes, then definitely keep it refrigerated.
Where to Drink
The Palm Bistro
Address: 66MF+F5X, Alagbaka 340283, Akure, Ondo
Phone: 0705 148 4792
Pounded Yam (Iyan – Yoruba)
Ondo is known for pounded yam and you’ll be remiss to not give it a proper experience. I ate pounded yam with efo riro (spinach and egusi soup) every morning and I’d do it again when I next visit.
There’s a local fable in Nigeria that attributes the large consumption of yam to the reason why there are so many twins born in Ondo.
Where to Eat Pounded Yam in Ondo
Pounded Yam Village – their ofada rice is also highly recommended.
Address: 756C+XX7 Fisco House, Leo Hospital Rd, 340110, Akure, Ondo
Araromi Beach
Getting here from Akure was a really long drive, and I will suggest not going there alone because it is a sparsely populated area visited mostly by local fishermen. I got a little bit hassled by someone on the beach, but he was easily brushed off.
The walk from the main road to the beach is a bit of a distance, definitely arrange for a bike roundtrip. It will be a bumpy ride but will save you about 30mins of walking.
Address: Araromi, 122105, Igbokoda, Ondo
See the bottom of the article for a local guide to help arrange this excursion for you.
Igbokoda Fishing village
Igbokoda fishing village was a beautiful place to experience. A peaceful clean fishing village with a great sense of community. We sailed on a fishing boat and spent a couple of hours sailing through the village and watching the locals go about their everyday life. From kids making merry with friends in the water, to women fishing from boats to catch food for family or sale.
It was refreshing to see how well-maintained and clean the village was. The people have a fishing system that gives specific areas for each family to fish from and maintain throughout their time living in the village. This system keeps them from encroaching and makes everyone compliant in keeping the village clean.
This was the next best thing to do in Ondo, for me.
See the bottom of the article for a local guide to help arrange this excursion for you.
Eat Pupuru
If you decide to experience the water sides of Igbokoda; the beach and the fishing village, then definitely make pupuru your lunch option. The local guide we used, Gbenga, helped us with getting our lunch for the day. Honestly, I was a bit nervous about this. We were about to spend 2 hours on a boat ride and food poisoning is even worse in such conditions.
What is Pupuru?
Pupuru is a cassava flour dumpling that is popular in Ondo. For Nigerians reading this, just imagine a much softer version of eba. It is typically eaten with efo, egusi, and okro, most local soups are used to eat pupuru. I had mine with Marugbo/Eweta soup, also known as Ondo black soup. To be honest, this was a surprisingly tasty meal and worth trying out if you haven’t yet.
Eating this meal with a cold cup of palm wine is recommended.
See the bottom of the article for a local guide to help source this meal for you.
Where to Eat Pupuru
If you’re in Akure and want to hunt for pupuru, I was told to ask for Obioma at Aromed Junction.
Owo Museum of Antiquities
We visited a decent number of palaces while in Ondo, but the one that stood out to me was Owo palace. Besides getting the chance to meet the king, the Olowo of Owo town, the palace is also home to the Owo museum of antiquities.
A tour through the museum comes with a guide that walks and talks you through the history of Ondo and Owo along with viewing the rich collection of history on display.
Address: Olowo of Owo, Palace, Owo – Oba Rd, Ita Oba 341108, Owo
Experience the Nightlife
The nightlife in Akure, the main city hub of Ondo state, is on par with the nightlife in Lagos. From bukka joints with live music to clubs with pretty good music that will keep you dancing till dawn. Unlike the overpopulated Lagos where most venues feel like suffocating boxes, the nightlife places I visited in Ondo were pretty spacious. The VIP area at the clubs got pretty packed, but there was still decent enough space to dance without feeling restricted by elbows knocking into me while dancing.
Nightlife Recommendations in Ondo
Vibz Arena – Outdoor Bar and Restaurant
Address: 4 Egunjobi Str., Ijapo Extension 340106, Akure, Ondo
Phone: 0803 669 0096
Ideal Trybze – Club, Restaurant, and Lounge
Address: 65QW+QCX, Olukayode roundabout, Oshinle St, 340271, Akure
Phone: 0809 090 4540
Shaunz Royale – Club
Address: 75PJ+Q3H, Shebi junction, along Ilesha- owo express Road, Akure
Phone: 0806 070 3381
Royal Grill – Outdoor restaurant
Address: No 4 Abiola Akinyemi close, Alagbaka 340106, Akure, Ondo
Phone: 0903 419 9982
Amala Skot Alagbaka – Restaurants
Address: Ola Akadiri St, Alagbaka 340106, Akure, Ondo
Learn How Ondo’s Seghosen is Made
Seghosen a hand-woven fabric that originated from the Owo kingdom translates to “the cloth that takes all money”. And for the beauty woven in this fabric, all the money paid to purchase a yard of it is absolutely worth it. Because it costs a pretty penny, it is typically worn on special ceremonial days like weddings.
Seghosen was a surprise to me. I had never heard about it before visiting Ondo state and if you’re interested in buying some or seeing how it is made visit the market outside the Olowo of Owo palace. According to the locals, there is usually someone making the fabric throughout the day. We luckily found a lady making seghosen in the building pictured below.
The fabric reminds me of Aso-Oke, a more popular hand-woven fabric from Yoruba land, but a lot softer with more intricate designs. Weavers of seghosen are typically much older, experienced women that have spent years in apprenticeship before being allowed to weave fabric for sale.
Address: 6H2P+V6Q, 341104, Owo, Ondo
Smokin Hills Golf Resort
For avid golfers, Ondo is home to a 140-acre 18-hole golf course in Ilara. Besides golfing, it’s also a family-friendly space for hikes, camping, and picnicking. There’s a restaurant there that makes really good pounded yam and efo riro.
Tip from a local – visit as early as 6 am to watch a beautiful smokey sunrise over the hills
Address: Ikota Road, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo
Phone: 0803 553 8740
More Things To Do in Ondo State
I didn’t have the time to visit these places, but if you have extra time to see Ondo state, these were also recommended as worth visiting tourist sites.
Visit the Ikogosi Warm Spring
Drive to Ekiti state to see Ikogosi’s warm spring. This natural wonder features a confluence of warm and cold springs, with the warm spring reaching temperatures of up to 31 degrees Celsius. Visitors can relax in the warm spring while taking in the beautiful surroundings.
Go Shopping
Akure and Owo are the two major towns in Ondo state and both have a good number of marketplaces where visitors can buy traditional crafts, fabrics (like seghosen and aso oke), and other souvenirs.
Idanre Forest Reserve
Idanre Forest Reserve, located in Ondo State, is a lowland rainforest with spots for hiking and birdwatching. The reserve is home to a wide variety of plants and animals. Visitors can also learn about the area’s rich cultural heritage by visiting the traditional villages located within the reserve.
Igbo Oludumare
Cave of Ashes (Iwo Eleeru)
Iwo Eleeru, located in the Ondo State, is a natural wonder that features a confluence of warm and cold springs. The warm spring reaches temperatures of up to 31 degrees Celsius, making it a popular spot for swimming and relaxation. Visitors can also take a dip in the cold spring, which is known for its healing properties. The spring is surrounded by lush vegetation and offers a serene and peaceful environment.
Local Travel Guide
Gbenga – +234 816 562 5010
Quick disclaimer, Gbenga was our guide when my friends and I visited and he was recommended by a local. I do not earn from sharing his information or the others shared in this article. Kindly proceed with caution.
I wrote a short article highlighting this trip HERE, enjoy!
All in all, Ondo state has a lot to offer visitors, from its natural wonders to its rich cultural heritage. With so many things to see and do, visitors will have a memorable and enjoyable stay in this beautiful state.
