Do you have what it takes to explore the adventures of the Lekki Conservation Center?
Christmas is a few hours away and you can bet, some shrilling adventures wouldn't be such a bore idea. But how and where? Allow me be your quick guide into the natural adventurous world of the LEKKI CONSERVATION CENTER.
The Lekki Conservation Center(LCC) is a nature hub built in the 1990s by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF). It was created for the main purpose of conserving plants and animals in their natural habitat. Located in the Lekki axis of Lagos state, Nigeria, LCC has grown to be a prominent urban park in Africa History with a record of 78 hectares of land mass in use.
BUT WHERE IS THE ADVENTURE IN THIS?
Well well, asides loving the beautiful natural sights in the LCC, it comes with a full brochure of adventures too. I was at LCC few days back and thinking back to the wonderful time I had, my body tinges with excitement. What am I even talking about? You should be enlightened with the subsequent paragraphs.
My Adventure story in the Lekki Conservation Center
The Wooden Walkway
I arrived LCC with a friend cum photographer in the early hours of the noon, paid the entry fee of #1000 equivalent to $3 and proceeded to enjoy the natural view of the park. The first outstanding thing is the "Wooden Walkway" that makes the whole journey more natural. I loved the creaking sound the walkways made when I decided to take extra risk by jumping on it. Around are tall trees with their roots in the swamp. I think they are called Mangroves. You can feel the thick unpolluted oxygen just the way man needs it to function.
Monkeys everywhere
One quite noticeable thing about the Walkway and tall trees are the monkeys swinging from tree to tree. These monkeys have become fearless overtime and wouldn't be afraid of posing for selfies. They arrive in multitudes at the sights of bananas and other eatables. It was quite a bad one for me as I never thought to come with a banana to seek these creatures attention.
The Canopy walk
The 401m canopy walk has been proven to be the peak of the Park's excitement. I couldn't agree less. Only and only the fearless can successfully complete the walk to the other end. My first time on the canopy was hell. I couldn't look down and looking up wasn't an option either. Even though it is safe with low possibility of falling over , I held the sides like my life depended on them for fear of toppling over into the thick forest far below. I thought a second attempt would come easier. It was equally as traumatically fun as the first. Given the opportunity, I would take the risks still a hundred times over. I struck a pose for a picture despite the fear evident in my expression.
The Grassland Savannah and outdoor procreation
Well, the LCC is recorded to be the only place with a grassland Savannah land mass in the whole of Lagos. Here is where you see beautiful shrubs on a sandy soil. There are many activities going on for LCC in this area. It is where you can hold a picnic with your loved ones. Also, there are lots of outdoor procreation activities like the giant chess, giant ludo, giant snake and ladder and Scrabble. You could play with your friends and family and even decide to hold a competition even though the park promises no prize for winners. Also, there is the presence of the barbecue spots and swings. All available for your exploration. I came across a solar panels sit in, sat there for a considerable amount of time and enjoyed tranquil moment.
The Koi Ponds
There are two Koi ponds in LCC and in both, beautiful fishes called "koi". The Koi fishes are also known as " living jewels or swimming flowers because of their physical beauty. In the chinese myth, they represent luck and wealth. Although, my camera wasn't clear enough to capture the koi fishes in their unclear waters but it did well to highlight beautifully, the intricates of the pond's exterior view. I took a mental note to include a koi fish in my sea collection should i ever think of owning an aquarium.
The Gazebo Raffia Relaxation Sit-in
After the hectic walk through the park in the full shine of the afternoon sun, the Gazebo and other family huts made from raffia are available for relaxation and a nice place to grab a bite. Asides a rest-in huts, there are commercial ones. You can get your barbecue from one and can have a natural coconut drink from another. We are allowed in with food as long as it doesn't affect the natural arrangements of things.
The Tree-Top House.
After the fearless canopy walk, here is another adventure I would love to tell. The tree top is a 21m high climb to the top of a huge tree wooden house. If you didn't get over your fear of heights on the canopy walk, here is another try for you. When I got to the spot, I mentally concluded I couldn't climb that high top. With encouragement and push from the people around, I was able to take the plunge and boy did I do it!!! It was accomplishing enough to climb to the tree house and more than fulfilling to climb down! Pheewww!!! I was all sweaty after the tough and shaky explore.
The Swamp Lookout Station
If you love the sight of reptiles, here is a spot for you. The lookout station is an enclosed wooden house with a long row of bench in it and an open window to gaze from. Outside the station is surrounded by swamps and in those marshy grounds are crocodiles, alligators, snakes and crabs. These reptiles are sedated mostly as they are dangerous to humans. You might be lucky to see them stir as a result of your consistent gaze into the swamp. I guess I lack that patience and doubt more if I ever want to witness those reptiles stir.
Artifacts and Bones archive
There were some reptilia artifacts alongside some bones of animals that must have been reared in the hub. Also at a side is the shell of a tortoise that has lived about 35years before its demise. I was opportune to see the tortoise when it was still alive about 2years ago. It is rather sad that it was no more.
The Dance of the Peacocks/Peahens
I was about leaving the nature hub in the evening when I had the liberty of taking a snapshot of the Peafowls. They look so integrated and natural in the beautiful evening and the peacock feathery tails danced in the dim of the sun set. It is really amazing to note that these hens flies. I seriously didn't know before hand. The most awesome of all, was a shot I took of their shredded tree habitat. I wonder what is not beautiful in the nature park.