Outdoors Date locations for Valentines Day around Africa
Curated by ìrìn Travels (@irintravels) for Alara, Lagos1. Lufasi Nature Park, Lagos
LUFASI is an acronym for the Lekki Urban Forestry and Animal Shelter Initiative. Located along Lekki-Epe expressway, LUFASI Nature Park is a perfect place to connect with the environment in Lagos surrounded by the forest and diverse wildlife. It offers a much-needed breath of fresh air and an escape from the constant buzz of the city and is great for nature therapy, picnics, kayaking and general relaxation.
2. Tarkwa Bay Beach
A 20-minute boat ride from Victoria Island, Lagos’s commercial hub—Tarkwa Bay is a peaceful and calm environment with a welcoming resident community near the Lagos Island harbour. Go for water sports, fresh coconuts, its community spirit and nice walks along the beach.
2b. JJT (Johnson, Jakande And Tinubu) Recreational Park and Garden
A stone’s throw away from the Lagos State House of Assembly, JJT was created to honour the past Governors of Lagos State whom it is named after. The park itself is quiet, serene with a lush outdoor space and a large Eyo statue that is not to be missed. Look out for the sculptures of the faces of the past governors, wander through its mini zoo, gazebo area and end the day with lunch at the food court.
3. Crushed Rocks Mpape, Abuja
This abandoned quarry in Mpape garnered a lot of eyes due to a recent discovery on social media and has emerged as one of Abuja’s “not-so-hidden” gems. A geologist’s dream, Crushed Rocks is a 131,000m2formation of grey rock standing at 684m, shrouded by lush greenery and a lake formed on a lower elevation within the quarry site. The blue skies, winding footpaths, aerial views of the city makes the scenery and landscape, great for a city escape and an ideal picnic location.
4. IITA, Ibadan
Established in 1967 with its headquarters in Ibadan, Nigeria; The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is an award-winning research and development centre, perfect for education and leisure. Spread over 350 hectares with a 3km long lake, this natural reserve is home to diverse species of birds, fishes, flora and fauna. It has a hotel, forest trail and picnic benches making long walks and picnics by the lake a necessity.
5. Norval Foundation, Cape Town
Home to a gallery, a sculpture garden, a library, an outdoor amphitheater, and a restaurant all against the backdrop of the Constantia Winelands, Norval Foundation is a contemporary art museum & sculpture garden that combines the experience of art with an appreciation for nature. One of the highlights apart from the art is the Skotnes Restaurant and Bar overlooking the wetlands and sculpture garden. The setting seamlessly matches the nature and architecture of the foundation and offers visitors a dynamic experience.
6. Entoto Park, Addis Abeba
Entoto Natural Park is a unique place to discover the most breathtaking ancient mountain nature with streams flowing from clear springs and waterfalls. The Park lies on the southeastern slopes of Mt Entoto, between the northern limit of the city of Addis Abeba. This multi-purpose park has both indoor and outdoor facilities like a spa, a library, walkways and fountains built mostly with local materials, so they blend in beautifully with the natural environment of the park. Whilst a picnic might not be the most instinctive way to eat Injera or traditional Ethiopian foods, it's worth trying something new.
7. Desert de Lompoul, Senegal
With the nation’s philosophy built on hospitality Teranga, a visit to this West African country comes highly recommended. Lompoul is a small desert area just south of Saint-Louis in the North of Senegal known for its orange sand dunes with a landscape similar to those found in the Sahara and Mauritania. Go for their camel treks, sand dune buggies or an overnight stay at their tented camps for a night under the stars, catching sunsets over sand dunes and a really unforgettable experience.
