Spanning 2,512 km2 of land across 11 local government areas (10 within Oyo State and one in Kwara State), amid diverse wildlife, cultural and historical settings, the Old Oyo National Park is worth visiting any day.
Set in the northern part of Oyo State, in the South-West of Nigeria, the park derived its name from the ruins of Oyo-Ile, the ancient political kingdom of the Oyo Empire.
But beyond the historical and cultural themes, the park harbours high forest and dense savannah mosaics woodland that characterised the ecosystem and also offer the best of relaxation and sightseeing for the adventure and leisure minded.
As well, the park is the only National Park in Nigeria being considered for World Heritage Site status, and the reasons are obvious. The historical nature of the park, as home to the ruins of the famous old Oyo Empire in the 17th and 18th centuries, is a great insight. The empire harbours two great forest reserves in Oke Ogun and Oyo-Ile areas, which were upgraded to form the national park. The concept is to preserve the historical relics of the Old Oyo Empire and connect it to the great culture of the people around the area.
The uniqueness of the park is the fact that the culture and history of the people are married intricately in the park to give it a picture of leisure and recreation.
Yet, the wildlife population is growing in recent times amid maximum protection, especially from the activities of poachers.
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On a safari ride at the park, visitors fete their eyes with the breathtaking sights of rare wildlife including; Kobs, red monkey, roan antelope, bushbuck, red or green ioribe, and daiker.
Others are; crested porcupine, Anubis baboon, patas monkey, tantalus monkey, buffalo, red river hog, gaboon viper, spotted hyena, Nile crocodile, rock python, land tortoise, bushbuck, and warthog.
Of late, waterbucks have been sighted at the park.
The wildlife population in the park is further enriched by more than 100 birds with regular sights for grey hornbill, Senegal parrot, African fish eagle, guinea fowl, hammerkop, Senegal fire finch, Crossley thrush, Grey heron, bush fowl, Yellow mantled Whydah among others.
The breathtaking landscape adds to the fun, especially with fast-flowing rivers, perfect for water rafting. While the southern part is drained by the Owu, Owe, and Ogun rivers, the northern part is drained by the Tessi River. Moreover, beautiful outcrops of granite are typical of the northeastern part of the park, especially Oyo-lle, with caves and rock shelters in the extreme north.
But the offerings are further spiced at the central part of the park with scattered hills, ridges, and rock outcrops that are suitable for mountaineering.
As expected, there are abundant waterfalls across the park.
For tourists who want fun beyond wildlife safari, the Ikere Gorge Dam and River Ogun offer memorable relaxation, from swimming to sunbathing.
There is also a wildlife museum with displays of historical artifacts.
But after the day’s tours, tourists are provided with suitable accommodation options at the Ibuja camp at River Ogun and at the Akoto base camp and lodge in Sepeteri village, which is near to the wildlife museum.
On offer at the Akoto base camp are; Olympic size swimming pool, chalets of acceptable standards, and several recreation facilities amid fun activities such as sport fishing, boating, hiking, game viewing, and bird watching.
Both camps offer excellent overnight accommodation and dining amid bonfires.
However, the experience is more spectacular at Sepeteri, which most tourists liken to the Mara village in Kenya.
Beyond the wildlife, culture minded visitors can trail the archaeological site of Oyo-lle for cultural safari. Some of the cultural sites include the royal tomb at Oghobo, Asabari shrine at Shaki, Ibuya pool, and Yemeso hills.
Other major highlights are the 22 historical sites abandoned at Oyo-Ile such as the old Alaafin Palace (Afin), Eksan Market Square, Agbaku Cave, the Songo Shrine, the Koso, the defence wall round the Empire, which helped ward off the invading Nupe warriors, the Baraa Tomb where late Alaafin of that era was buried, the Meijiro grounding site, a rock that serves as a databank for recording significant events and developments during that period.
One mystery at the park is Ogun Jokoro, an ancient armory used by the Old Oyo people many centuries ago. It is located at Oyo-Ile Range of the Park and it remains one of the footprints of the ancient Oyo People that to date adorn the first capital city of the famous Oyo Empire.
The mysterious iron is believed to be one of Alaafin Sango’s sources of spiritual power during his reign. Locals say it cannot be lifted by a man, not even by a group of men. Several groups of visitors have attempted lifting it off the ground but all failed, according to them.
Yet, the mysterious object changes its position within about a 100 meters radius every next time it is sited at the outskirts of the park, around Oyo-Ile Range. It has been in this location for many centuries before it was discovered by the park researchers.
So, beyond the fun, researchers in Yoruba history and culture can make their way to the conservation park for access to volumes of helpful materials.
For a time-out with the locals, tourists on a visit to the park are also encouraged to experience the communal living at the park’s host and close communities including; Saki, Iseyin, Igboho, Sepeteri, Tede, and Igbeti which have their own commercial and cultural attractions for tourism.
For access and booking, would-be guests can visit the park’s administrative headquarters at Oyo-Isokun along the Oyo-Iseyin road.
So far, the efforts of the park management at conserving the wildlife, boosting tourist activities, and lifting the park’s status are commendable.
The recent paramilitary status given to the conservation is a welcome development to its staff, operations, and a major deterrent to those with greedy eyes to loot earth resources.
As the conservation bounces back in full scale and in anticipation of tourist movement to the park, Ibrahim Goni, the conservator of the Old Oyo Park, urges visitors to come to Sepeteri to see what is on the ground.
