If you are looking for a tourist destination visit Ondo, you have come to the right place! There are so many cool places to visit here in Ondo state, and you might even be amazed by what wonder your eye gaze on.
Ondo’s state is enriched with plentiful inherent resources in agriculture and forestry. The State is the largest producer of cocoa in Nigeria. Other farm-fresh produce available in commercial quantity throughout the state is Maize, Yam, Plantain, Kola nut, Coffee, Coconut, Vegetables, Timber, Banana, Rice, Cotton, Piggery, Cassava, Fish, Palm oil and Rubber.
Nevertheless, the city not bereft of tourist attractions and in this blog, I will be sharing some of the best places to visit in Ondo, Nigeria. For you, guys serving in Ondo state, it is not boring as you think dear corper wee, it is about to get interesting.
1. Idanre Hill.
What caught my attention in this state is how there are so many hills in Akure and even outside Akure, Ikare-akoko, where I camped, had this nice rocky view to behold from the auditorium.
The hill of Idanre is one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Nigeria. Includes such cultural sites as “OWA’s Palace, Shrines, Old Court, Belfry, Agbooogun footprint, thunder water (OMI Apaara) burial mounds and ground”. It has 682 steps to reach the peak and there are five resting points before the top of the hill. Idanre Hills is listed on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Idanre Hills is over 3,000 feet above sea level, The hill is a perfect blend of a Savannah, high hills mountains, rivers, beautiful vegetation integrated with the ancient cultural landscape. This gave it some unique features. These are some features of Idanre Hills.
The Ancient OWA palace, The Ark of Noah, Unreadable letters of the flood, Aghara Hill, The shrines, Agboogun footprints, Arun River, Thunder River, Mausoleum, The old court, The Smoking hills where the rock kisses the sky, The Wonderful mat, Belfry, First Primary school in Idanre Hill, Cocoa farms. P.s. Idanre has a forest reserve.
2. Araromi Beach
Araromi Beach is the most popular and one of the best and the unique beach in the ondo state. Located in Ilaje Ondo State, Araromi beach has become an ideal spot for fun-seekers within the ondo states, the beach attracts visitors and fun-seekers from within and outside the state.
Things to Do at Araromi Beach.
Beach soccer: The beach sand is so well graded that you’d enjoy balling on it.
Hide-and-seek: The interesting thing again about this beach is that it has a well-collected coconut tree forest that will allow for really fun jungle games.
Family or friends Picnic: Spacious and lesser pollution, unlike Lagos beaches. It’s ideal for picnics and meditation.
Swim: the waves are friendly and mild with their crashing. You’d enjoy swimming at the shore, esp. under the sun.
Oyster hunting: Dip your hands into the beach sand, and you pack out at least 5 sleeping Oysters in their shells.
And I had a lot of people say Ondo is boring, but you just haven’t looked in the right direction. Next time, you can visit that Paradise if you are posted there. Now you know it exists, go there!
3. Igbokoda Waterfront.
The Igbokoda waterfront is situated in Ilaje Local Government Area of Akure in Ondo state. It is one of the longest terrestrial water in Nigeria. The water comes perfect with a fishing airfield and offers a choice location for boating, swimming, sport fishing, picnic, boat regatta, diving and lots more fun activities.
Whilst visiting Igbokoda Waterfront is also a place you should hang out with your friends.
4. Owo Museum of Antiques.
If you are a lover of art like Me, I’m sure you will enjoy what I’m about to tell you. Well, I’m a native of the ancient city “OWO”.
The Owo museum of antiques is a national museum that has many wood and ivory carvings, brass and bronze works. The museum has been preserved to serve as a place for visitors to have a taste of the historical values of the people of Owo and the neighboring towns and villages.
The Olowo’s palace in Owo is also one of the best places to tour to get a firsthand history of the cultural heritage of the Owo people. This palace is the largest in Yoruba land, covering about 99 hectares of land. There are over 100 ancient courtyards, of which 17 are still intact today.
5. Igbo Olodumare
Igbo Olodumare translated to mean the ‘Forest of the Almighty’ is a thick evergreen forest preserved for its beautiful and fascinating nature. It is situated in Oke-Igbo near Ile-Oluji. Some fun things to do in this mystical forest include shooting a movie; having a picnic; camping; bird watching and meeting other persons visiting while being treated to the folklore and tales surrounding the forest. The myth behind it, the stream in the forest has supernatural powers which help to prevent evil from entering the village. If you like to go on an adventure, your go-to-go route is just this centre.
6. Ebomi Lake Tourist Centre.
The lake is located at Ipesi in Akoko South-East local government area not far from Akure. The lake is 1.6km long and 40m wide.
The name Ebomi is a corruption of the word ‘Abami’ which means mystery in the Yoruba language. The lake is often referred to as the bottomless lake as the depth is undefined.
It stretches through a distance of about 2km and is about 45m wide, with thick forest canopies subtly camouflaging its steep banks. Although trees surround the lake, it is believed that leaves never float on the lake. No one is allowed to bathe, fish or fetch water from the lake as the inhabitants of Ipesi Akoko.
Also known as the bottomless lake, Ebomi Lake is believed to have supernatural powers for protecting villagers during times of war. Hidden in the pristine forest of Ipesi Akoko in Akoko South-East Local Government Area of Ondo is Ebomi Lake
7. Cave of Ashes Isharun
The Cave of Ashes know locally as Iho-Eleeru is located in Isharun, Ile-Oworo, in Ifedore Local Government of Ondo State, the cave is popularly known for its gigantic rocks which vary in shapes and sizes. Although Iho Eleeru is the most popular cave in Ondo State, it is still one of the Less-known tourist destinations in the state. For adventurers looking for a place for exploring in ondo, Iho Eleeru is a place to go.
8. FILM HOUSE CINEMA, AKURE
This is located at Igbatoro Road, By Oda Roundabout, Akure, Ondo. This is a place to experience astonishing luxury seating, great sound and visual quality and an all-new movie experience. You can keep up with the latest Nollywood, Hollywood, Chinese and even Bollywood movies in an environment built to maximize your movie adventure.
Elizade smoking Hills Golf Resort
This golf course with 140 acres of hilly mounds covered with smokey fog is one lovely sight to behold and a top relaxation spot. Smoking Hills Golf Course is located on the outskirts of Ilara Mokin in the Ifedore Local Government Area of the state
Agbabu Bitumen
In the heart of Agbabu village in Okitipupa local government lies a huge reserve of Bitumen, and you might just like to visit.
Also, the Akure forest reserve, National Library of Nigeria, Akure. and the Akure local Airport.
Well, my fellow gentleman corper members, it’s a year to enjoy the city of Ondo. Find your purpose and inner self, help people who you can put a smile on as you come across with them. Go out more often, learn and explore. The city is your Oyster!
For you, that had not gone to Ondo- there are few things to make you fall in love with this sunshine state. I’m so proud to be a citizen of Ondo state- it has the largest production of Cocoa in Nigeria, breeds most of the major source of timber for furniture making, produces 12% of the national oil and gas, has the largest bitumen deposit in Nigeria and food is relatively cheap. Why not invest in ondo, it is less crowded, peaceful and clean.
Beauty beyond your imagination 
Leave a comment