A Weekend Staycation At IITA Ibadan.
When I spontaneously decided to spend a weekend at IITA Ibadan, there was a heaviness in my heart that I figured travel might remedy. I was right. IITA calmed my spirit and gave me joy. It’s hard to stay down when surrounded by that much beauty and nature.
I know you’re probably here to read my review of IITA Ibadan. But this post is also a recap of my trip and some of the places I visited in Ibadan. I’ll try not to make it a long read, but I hope you enjoy it regardless. It’s been a long time coming!
Related: 5 Places I Want To Visit In Nigeria This Year.
My second trip to Ibadan was as spontaneous and short as the first one. However, it is one trip that will forever be etched in my heart.
The Friday before my colleagues and I decided to spend the weekend at IITA Ibadan, we were huddled together randomly discussing how pleasant it would be to step out of the madness that is Lagos for a bit.
I had always wanted to visit IITA. In fact, it was a standing conversation between a friend and I, and the only thing that held me back was erroneous information suggesting it wasn’t only open to the public. So when my colleague brought up spending a weekend at IITA, it took little less to get me on board.
Related: A Day Trip To The Olumo Rock + 3 Other Notable Places To Visit In Abeokuta.
We scoured through the IITA website, exchanged a few emails, and made our bookings. I had less than 24hrs to pack, but I was excited at the prospect of a new adventure.
The next morning, we set out in my colleague’s car as a team of four. Our first stop in Ibadan was the University of Ibadan Zoological garden. It is often touted as one of the top places to visit in Ibadan, and I was pumped about this. We spent a few hours exploring all that the Zoo had to offer, before heading down to IITA.
IITA (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture) is an institution that deals with “agriculture stuff”, but it also has a tourism section that includes the IITA resort /hotel.
There are few things more invigorating than staying at a “hotel” with a beautiful landscape, and an Idyllic scenery. Just driving in and I could already tell that we were going to have a lovely time there.
I Spent a weekend at IITA in Ibadan, And Here's My Honest Review Of IITA! Click To Tweet
Checking in was swift, there were no hassles, and the service remained good till we left. We booked a two-bedroom flat for the four of us, which cost us N31,680/Night (this was in 2019 btw). Nothing super fancy, but comfortable enough to have a good stay – our flat had a sitting room, in addition to the two bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms.
There is an in-house restaurant that isn’t ridiculously overpriced, and the accommodation covers breakfast, so we were sorted on the food end.
There are several activities you can do at IITA. Things like basketball, football, swimming, table tennis, bicycle rides, and there’s a forest walk too (which I just found out about). 
On our second day, we woke up early to catch the sunrise and take a long walk down to the lake – I won’t tire of mentioning how serene IITA is! So beautiful and peaceful. Whooshhh!
The lake is quite a distance from the center but definitely worth it. I couldn’t explore the whole expanse of IITA because that would require energy that I couldn’t produce no matter how hard I tried lol.
All in all, we had a lovely and serene experience at IITA. It’s definitely worth a revisit, and I hope to go back sometime soon.
On our way out of Ibadan, we stopped at the Mapo hall, explored, took some pictures, before continuing our journey back to life in Lagos.
This trip holds such a special place in my heart, not only because of how calming it was, but also because my lovely friend who championed the movement passed away this year.
Ibadan and IITA holds one of my fondest moments with him, and I am forever grateful we got to do this.
Have you ever been to IITA ? What was your experience like? Please share your thoughts and let’s connect!
BLOGLOVIN || SUBSCRIBE ||FACEBOOK||TWITTER || INSTAGRAM
READ THESE NEXT:
- A Sweet Escape To Sal Islands – My Cape Verde Experience.
- #TravelNigeria – The Ngwo Pine Forest, Cave And Waterfall (What No One Tells You)
- #TravelNigeria – My Experience At Mount Ned Nwoko Resort In Asaba.
- A Weekend Staycation at Fraser Suites Abuja (Review).
- 2019 In #TravelAfrica: Post Cards From Senegal, Ethiopia, Maputo, And Cape Verde.
Rest in peace idoko,
I know you’re with the angels now..
Reading this post and I really need to go back to this place, it’s so beautiful and serene and i felt so much at peace here.
Lovely pictures 😍😍😍. Reading this just makes me want to travel to Ibadan🤧
This post is so beautiful, and not just the scenery and crisp pictures – the memories and moments with your friend. I’m happy you have them to hold on to. I’m definitely adding this place to my top places to visit in Nigeria. Thank you Rich Auntie ❤️
I enjoyed reading this. Travelling is an activity I’d love to venture into soon, it’s a nice feeling to explore with loved ones. I’ve been in Ibadan for two years and I usually hear about IITA but never thought to visit. Thanks for sharing.
And I’m sorry about your friend that passed.
This was relaxing to read, as relaxing as you said your stay was. And it was sad to read about your friend’s passing at the end. May his soul continue to rest.
Your experience at IITA is quite in stark contrast to mine. All the times I was there, the reception was awful. Everyone from the security to the receptionists acted like they were higher forms of life and were doing me a huge favour by having me.
I was only there for a brief visit, but man, am I glad I was not spending days! I most def would have gone off on someone. My host told me about how the flat did not have hot water despite being told it did, and how the staff gave attitude when he complained about it.
I’ve honestly crossed IITA off my list for now. The environment is really serene but I don’t think I’ll go back anytime soon.
I love this review. I hope to visit Ibadan one day.
I am so sorry for your loss Cassie🥰 I loved reading this piece and look forward to using this as a guide when I choose to visit.
This place is beautiful
I sure would love to visit Ibadan someday, the view from your pictures are beautiful! Lovely sorry about the loss of your friend.
I definitely will have to visit this place. It looks really calm and peaceful, perfect place to unwind.
sorry about your friend.
Such detailed information/review. Thank you. I’m definitely visiting soon. Lovely photos BTW.
I have been to IITA for an official retreat and it is still my top place to go since then. Everything seems perfect.
The meals too, Seeing the pictures brings back memories. I’d love to spend time there again soon.
This was very much insightful to read! I enjoyed every bit of it and nice pictures you got there. Do I have to book a reservation before visiting IITA? I mean I don’t want to stay in their hotel room, so can I visit and leave.. probably pay an enterance fee instead of a reservation fee?
Beautiful piece. Never knew IITA had such a beautiful resort open to the public . I shall be visiting soon.
This is a very nice review.
I’ve been in Ibadan for close to 6 years now and I haven’t explored IITA.. (crazy, yea)
I plan to visit this on the next public holiday, but i don’t want a sleepover there. Do i still need to book in advance??
I’ll be waiting for a reply. Thanks
I’m honestly not sure if they let people without reservations or official business in, you can call them and inquire about this.
Amazing time you had. Have had IITA on my bucket list for a while now but yet to see it. Sorry about the loss of your friend.