Travel: Five Things You Need To Know About Olumo Rock In Abeokuta

Any visit to the city of Abeokuta would be incomplete without stopping by at the “fortress of Abeokuta”; Olumo rock, one of the most popular and enjoyable day trips that you can take from Lagos. Here are five things you need to know about the adventurous, tourist site, Olumo Rock;
Where Is Olumo Rock Located?
As we mentioned above, Olumo Rock is located in Abeokuta. The exact address is the intersection between Ijemo-Alape Road and Ita-Bayinbo Street. If you are driving to Olumo Rock from Lagos, then the best route to take is the A5 towards Papalanto. The drive is around 2 hours until you reach Abeokuta. If you don’t have a car, then you can take the Lagos – Abeokuta train on the west line of the Nigerian rail network. There’s only 77km between Lagos and Abeokuta. What’s more, trains leave each hour during the morning and a second-class ticket should set you back around 200 Naira.
The History of Olumo Rock
Olumo Rock has a long history stretching back to ancient times. The rock is a build-up of granite rocks that has been in existence for thousands of years. According to the history books, Olumo Rock once served as a sanctuary and fortress to the Egba People in the early 1800s. For the history buffs among you, you will know that the Egba People were once part of the powerful Oyo Empire but became independent after the empire collapsed. In 2006, extensive renovations were carried out at Olumo Rock and the new tourism complex features a new restaurant, museum, water fountain and a market where you can buy some superb tie-and-dye arts and crafts.
Olumo Rock’s Towering Height
Olumo Rock has a height of 137 meters above sea level. That’s pretty high and is half the height of the Eiffel Tower in Paris (300 meters)! However, it’s nowhere near as high as Zuma Rock, which is 725 meters above sea level. Perhaps Olumo Rock is lacking in height but this means that it’s easy to climb. There are in fact man made stairs carved into the rock, making the climb fairly easy. For those who don’t want to do any climbing, an elevator to the top of the summit has been installed for visitors but you will be charged extra for this luxury. Once you reach the summit, you will be able to see stunning views of Abeokuta, including the First Church of Nigeria, the Central Mosque, the River Ogun and the family house of the late Moshood Abiola.
There’s a Gate Fee for Olumo Rock
For those who are willing to go to the tourist site, part of the things you need to know is the gate fee, so as to be prepared beforehand. The gate fee for Olumo Rock is 700 Naira plus a camera fee of 200 Naira and a parking fee of 200 Naira. We also understand that there is an additional charge of 2000 Naira for those wishing to make use of the elevator at the site.
Abeokuta Has Plenty Else To Offer Visitors
If you’re planning a day trip to Olumo Rock, keep in mind that there’s a whole host of other fun things to do in Abeokuta such as the Abeoukuta Museum, Centenary Hall, Oyan Dam, Old Manse and many others.