Ibadan Day Tour: Mapo Hall, IITA Forest & Agodi Gardens

Summary

Explore Ibadan’s Heritage, Nature & Fun Activities

You’ll see Ibadan through local eyes—from colonial history at Mapo Hall to wild butterflies in IITA forest and playful moments at Agodi Gardens. This tour mixes culture, nature, and pure fun—you won’t just visit Ibadan; you’ll feel its energy.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me stepping out at Mapo Hall was the gentle morning breeze—mixed with the faint smell of roasted corn from a nearby street vendor. Our guide, Tunde, waved us over to the old colonial building. Inside the mini-museum, we saw faded photos of past rulers and some odd relics—like an ancient typewriter that looked like it hadn’t been touched in decades. You could almost hear echoes of old council meetings in those halls.

We left the city buzz behind as we drove out to the IITA forest reserve. The air felt cooler under all those tall trees. Tunde handed us binoculars for bird-watching—I spotted a bright yellow weaver bird hopping between branches. There were butterflies everywhere; one even landed on my arm for a second before fluttering off. He mentioned there are over 200 species here, which honestly blew my mind.

Next up was the University of Ibadan zoo. It’s right inside Nigeria’s oldest university campus—students strolled past us on their way to class while we watched monkeys swing around and lions nap in the shade. The place isn’t huge but you get pretty close to the animals. If you listen closely, you’ll hear peacocks calling from somewhere near the back fence.

By midday, we reached Agodi Gardens. It’s this big green space where families spread out mats for picnics and kids run wild near the water park area. We took a slow walk along shaded paths—there’s a small zoo here too, plus horses for riding if you’re up for it. I dipped my feet in the pool just to cool off (the sun gets real hot by noon). The gardens are perfect if you want a breather from city noise.

The last stop was Magnus Paintball Arena—not far from Bodija market. I’d never played paintball before but after gearing up and getting a quick rundown from our instructor, it got competitive fast! Paint splatters everywhere and lots of laughs—definitely a fun way to end the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Ibadan City Highlights

• Visit Mapo Hall mini-museum
• Explore IITA forest reserve
• See animals at University of Ibadan zoo
• Relax and walk in Agodi gardens
• Play paintball at Magnus Paintball Arena

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for kids or older adults?

Yes, it’s designed for all ages and fitness levels. Activities can be adjusted based on your group’s needs.

What should I bring along?

Comfortable shoes are best since there’s some walking. A hat or sunscreen helps too—it can get sunny by midday.

How long does the whole tour take?

The full experience usually takes about 7–8 hours including stops and travel time between locations.

Are meals included?

No meals are included but bottled water is provided throughout. There are snack vendors at most stops if you get hungry.

What’s included

Your entry fees are covered everywhere we go—no surprise costs. Bottled water keeps you refreshed all day. Pickup and drop-off are included with an air-conditioned ride, plus our local guide will share stories and tips along the way.