Fasten your seat belts as I narrate my experience on Friday 14th April 2016.

I love adventure anytime any day. I also manage a travel group called Naija Tourist. So this Easter we decided to explore.

We decided to go on a train ride from Lagos to Osogbo.

Then from Osogbo continue by Road to Ikogosi, Arinta Falls Ekiti then Idanre Hills in Ondo.

From the beginning my instincts told me that the train experience would be memorable. But I couldn't figure out in which direction. Either negative or positive.

Eventually we had a group of 11tourists then myself and a colleague as organisers. Total 13.

We made enquiries about tickets and we were informed that we could get Fists class tickets to Osogbo.

I paid a visit to Iddo train station about 4 days before the trip.

Two days to the trip a friend informed me to visit the station again , especially because of the first Class tickets. Also since our trip would fall on a public holiday. Good Friday.

Then I got the unfortunate news: an official told me that they usually do not sell first Class tickets for short distance trips. And Osogbo is regarded as short distance.

They prefer to sell fist class to people travelling to Kano.

I was dumbfounded but the Nigerian in me came alive. I told him to make arrangements for 13 first Class tickets for me and we will sort it out . We exchanged numbers then I left.

I had to call him a day to the trip to remind him.

continue

Why not finish what you started.

Oga kwantinu now

We await your experience

Sorry. Had network issues...

Departure Experience

The train departure time was 12 noon and we all arrived early enough.

The iddo terminal was crowded.

Ticket sales started by 11am, then lo and behold they refused to sell First Class tickets to Osogbo bound passengers.

Then I had to hustle to get tickets, I called the official and he eventually got the first Class tickets for me ( I had to do it the Naija way ). I'm sure you know what that means.

Train actually departed by 2pm.

The first Class cabin is fully air conditioned but for some reason the AC didn't work.

See as we begin sweat like Xmas chicken for first Class cabin.

They had about 5 technicians on board and they kept moving back and forth but the AC still messed up.

Eventually we had partial air conditioning.

Pictures

The train ride was cool initially we took pictures along several terminals and had several stops.

Our Oyinbo tourist received Naija love from the boys.

More pictures

More pictures

We had several stops. I remember Ijoko,
Itori,
Lafenwa,
Kajola,
Ibadan
Ede then Osogbo.

Guess what.........

Remember we left Lagos at 2pm on Friday, we got to Osogbo at 1am on Saturday.

At the end of the day, it was an interesting experience, made up of the good, bad and Ugly.


The Good

The several stops added spice to the trip.

The train had a bar so we could get some drinks and all.

We also got to meet people on board and all.

An opportunity to view different cities and villages from a different perspective.


The Bad

But the Railway System in Naija still has a long way to go.

Ticketing and reservation process very disorganised

Slow train plus several stops due to technical issues

Faulty Air Conditioning

Extremely long travel time. About 11 hours from Lagos to Osogbo.


At the end of the day, we had fun and we experienced the true meaning of adventure.

Getting to Osogbo 1am...how did u get somewhere to sleep or something ...because that place is diabolic

holatimmy:
Getting to Osogbo 1am...how did u get somewhere to sleep or something ...because that place is diabolic

We already made plans for a bus to wait at the train station. We also had hotel reservation in place.

I'm an experienced tourist so had all plans in place. I'm also very familiar with the terrain.

* I honestly don't know about the diabolical aspect * I'm just a tourist.

GEJ legacy lives on

richidinho:
GEJ legacy lives on

Did you just say Legacy No comment....

mrsage:


We already made plans for a bus to wait at the train station. We also had hotel reservation in place.

I'm an experienced tourist so had all plans in place. I'm also very familiar with the terrain.

* I honestly don't know about the diabolical aspect * I'm just a tourist.

Better then...

Diabolism and Osogbo be like 5&6
Little wonder why any unacceptable act is linked to Osogbo weed.

brother mrsage

do u know anything about rail transport from north east please? I don't want to fly coming home next week, I want adventure! but definitely not on a bus...

mrsage:
The train ride was cool initially we took pictures along several terminals and had several stops.

Our Oyinbo tourist received Naija love from the boys.

More pictures

Choi! See how person white!

Omo... Be like say na adventure sure pass now, I love the experience you shared.

holatimmy:

Better then...

Diabolism and Osogbo be like 5&6
Little wonder why any unacceptable act is linked to Osogbo weed.

If Osogbo people catch you ehn..... Na you talk am o

dipznano:
brother mrsage

do u know anything about rail transport from north east please? I don't want to fly coming home next week, I want adventure! but definitely not on a bus...

I'm sure you can get a train from Kano to Lagos. Not sure of other states.

klexycole:




Choi! See how person white!

Omo... Be like say na adventure sure pass now, I love the experience you shared.

Thank you.

Sincerely we all need to spice up our boring lives with some adventure.

More pictures

Cupcakes on board...

holatimmy:
Getting to Osogbo 1am...how did u get somewhere to sleep or something ...because that place is diabolic

You shouldn't say such things, do you have any experience of it being diabolic? It's not diabolic at all with reference to any places in Nigeria. I have once stayed there for close to 2 years and I can boastfully say that Osogbo is a peaceful and quiet place, An ideal place to stay when you have retired and aged

holatimmy:

Better then...

Diabolism and Osogbo be like 5&6
Little wonder why any unacceptable act is linked to Osogbo weed.

Really? Seriously!

DawnEden:

Really? Seriously!

Dont mind the okija born tribalist.


Osogbo has the best electricity supply in the country.at LEAST 18hr/day.Your generator will be useless!

Basic123:

Dont mind the okija born tribalist.


Osogbo has the best electricity supply in the country.at LEAST 18hr/day.Your generator will be useless!

True, I forgot to mention that electricity supply is one of the best if not the best in Nigeria. Maybe it's the diabolism that provide the power supply

mrsage:
Fasten your seat belts as I narrate my experience on Friday 14th April 2016.

I love adventure anytime any day. I also manage a travel group called Naija Tourist. So this Easter we decided to explore.

We decided to go on a train ride from Lagos to Osogbo.

Then from Osogbo continue by Road to Ikogosi, Arinta Falls Ekiti then Idanre Hills in Ondo.

Please Op, I guess I can get to travel by train from Osogbo to Kano. I'd very much appreciate a response.

Merry Christmas.

mrsage:
More pictures

How much is Lagos to osogbo ticket?

hmm..i ll probably add this to my to-do list.Thanks @op