My stay in Ikogosi was a reminder that sometimes, the most memorable travel experiences are not found in bustling cities or luxurious hotels, but in places where nature tells its own story.
At Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort, in Ekiti State, southwestern Nigeria, the experience went beyond sightseeing. It was an encounter with nature, relaxation, adventure and a hospitality experience that left me wanting more.
The first thing I did after settling in was head to the restaurant. Food was ready, and after the journey and the excitement of arriving at one of Nigeria’s notable natural attractions, I was eager to see what the resort had to offer beyond its famous springs.
I had not expected too much from the dining experience, but the restaurant quickly changed that assumption. The waiters were welcoming, attentive and willing to help us navigate the menu.
One staff member, Miracle, stood out. She welcomed my friend and I with the warmest smile and answered our questions with patience and detailed explanations.
When it was time to order, Miracle walked us through the menu, offering suggestions that made the decision easier, even though it took us a while to settle on what we wanted. I eventually settled for Afang soup with eba (Garri), while my friend went for seafood okra.
The meal set a positive tone for the rest of my stay. Throughout my visit, food was one thing I did not have to worry about, and the warmth of the restaurant staff added a personal touch to the hospitality experience.
But Ikogosi had more in store than good food.
Where warm and cold waters meet
The defining attraction of Ikogosi is its warm and cold springs, a natural feature that has drawn visitors to this part of Ekiti State for generations.
Walking along the forest paths with our guide, who addressed herself as Victoria, I soon found myself standing before the point where the two springs meet. It was a striking sight: two streams flowing from different directions towards a confluence, each retaining its distinct temperature.
Victoria invited us to feel the water for ourselves. I dipped my hand into the stream and felt the difference almost immediately. One side was warm; the other was cold.
According to our guide, the springs have been known for more than a century. She recounted a local account of their discovery by a hunter called ‘Ogongong’, a name she explained as referring to a sharpshooter who rarely missed his target.
In the history shared with us, the hunter was searching for drinking water when he encountered the warm spring and later discovered the cold spring nearby. The story has become part of the site’s local narrative, adding a layer of folklore to the natural attraction.
‘The springs are also associated with traditional beliefs about healing and coexistence,’ she said.
What remains immediately captivating is the experience itself: warm and cold waters emerging in close proximity, creating a natural spectacle that invites curiosity and wonder.
For a journalist accustomed to examining figures, documents and market movements, it was a welcome reminder that some stories are best understood by being physically present.
Two trees, one root system
If the meeting of the springs was fascinating, the trees growing together nearby offered another reason to pause.
Our guide pointed to two trees standing side by side: a palm tree and a mahogany tree. According to her, the trees had been growing together for more than 90 years, sharing a common root system without one preventing the other from growing.
The guide described their relationship as symbiotic, drawing a comparison with the two springs.
Whether viewed through the lens of nature, culture or spirituality, these features give the destination a distinctive appeal.
Inside the forest’s living heritage
The guided walk continued to reveal more of the forest’s character.
One of the most memorable stops was a large tree our guide called the Slender Dragon. Its trunk contained a visible hollow, creating an opening through which visitors could look into the tree. Standing beside it, I was struck by the scale and unusual form of the structure.
The guide described the tree as being more than 100 years old and explained that trees of this type could be planted to mark boundaries and indicate ownership of land.
The hollow also created an unexpected opportunity for photographs. Visitors could stand beside the trunk or pose at its entrance, turning a forest walk into an informal photography experience.
Another tree, which the guide called cane wood, attracted attention for its reddish appearance and reported traditional use in body care. She said the material was sometimes applied to the skin in local practices associated with rashes and other skin conditions.
A creative pause: Playing with colours
Beyond the forest and springs, I wanted to try something different.
I had long wanted to experience a slip-and-paint activity, but when the opportunity came, I was initially sceptical. I wondered whether I would be able to do it well, especially without no experience.
Fortunately, we had a patient guide who walked us through the process and explained what to do at each stage.
With the instructions in place, the hesitation gradually gave way to enjoyment. The activity offered a different kind of engagement from the guided tour: rather than observing nature and listening to stories, we could experiment, make something of our own and enjoy the process.
It was a reminder that tourism does not have to revolve entirely around sightseeing. Creative activities can provide visitors with opportunities to relax, explore their interests and create personal memories of a destination.
The spa: An unexpectedly memorable finale
If I had to identify the standout experience of my stay, however, it would be the spa.
I have experienced more than a dozen massage sessions in Lagos, so I arrived with a reasonable basis for comparison. Yet the treatment I received at Ikogosi turned out to be my favourite massage experience so far.
It was also the final activity I undertook before leaving the resort, making it a fitting conclusion to the visit.
After exploring the springs, walking through the forest, taking photographs and trying the creative activity, the spa offered an opportunity to slow down and enjoy a different kind of experience.
The session stood out for its warmth and the sense of relaxation it provided. Rather than ending the stay with another excursion, I finished with a wellness experience that allowed me to appreciate the quieter side of the resort.