National park · Nigeria
Osun Osogbo Sacred GroveOsun-Osogbo Sacred Grove
Enter the grove for a short walk (entry fee ~₦500–₦800, 1–2 h) or join the August festival (full day, ticket ~₦2000–₦3000) and stay in Osogbo town.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
2005
Best months
Aug
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- West Africa ↗Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on any West African trip: several countries on the coast road demand it of every arrival, and the rest demand it after you have passed through a neighbour.
- West Africa ↗Cross land borders and drive between cities in daylight only; plan each crossing as a full travel day with cash for fees and passport copies for checkpoints.
- Nigeria ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the Nigeria Immigration Service or a Nigerian mission; most visitors need a visa arranged before travel.
- Nigeria ↗Governments advise against all or all but essential travel to a number of Nigerian states; check your own government's advice for each state on your route.
- Nigeria ↗Check the yellow-fever vaccination certificate rules for Nigeria before you fly; carry the certificate with your passport.
At a glance
- Country
- Nigeria
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- The UNESCO‑listed cultural landscape covers about 75 ha of primary forest (check).
- Established
- 2005
- Best months
- Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Osogbo
Osun‑Osogbo Sacred Grove is a 75‑hectare UNESCO cultural landscape on the outskirts of Osogbo, featuring active shrines, sculptures and primary forest along the Osun River, and hosts an annual August festival.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2005Cultural landscape – Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 2005
The UNESCO‑listed cultural landscape covers about 75 ha of primary forest (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Osogbo.
Why go
- Walk among active shrines, sculptures and primary forest.
- See the UNESCO‑listed cultural landscape of Yoruba spirituality.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugBest
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry, cooler.
- FebDry, pleasant.
- MarEnd of dry season.
- AprStart of rains.
- MayRainy, paths muddy.
- JunHeavy rains.
- JulPeak rains.
- AugFestival.
- SepRainy, but festival over.
- OctDry, cooler.
- NovDry, comfortable.
- DecDry, cool.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical forest plants (≈ 400 species)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds (e.g., hornbills, bee-eaters)Nov–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main gate & visitor area | Entrance, information desk, small shop, and short walking paths to shrines. | Open daily; fee required. |
| Shrine trail | Series of shrines, sculptures and the Osun River bank. | Open to visitors on foot; stay on marked paths. |
| Festival grounds | Open area used for the August Osun‑Osogbo Festival. | Ticketed during festival dates. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata; approximate for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry fee (gate) | NGN 500–800 | person | Check locally; varies by season. |
| Festival ticket | NGN 2,000–3,000 | person | Includes performances and guided tour. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Gate entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- NGN 500–800
- NGN 2,000–3,000
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Photography
- Allowed in open areas; ask permission before photographing people or ceremonies.
- No hunting/fishing
- Strictly prohibited within the grove.
- Stay on paths
- Do not enter restricted shrine zones.
Where to stay
Near the park
Osogbo hotels
Mid‑range hotels and guesthouses 2 km (1.2 mi) from the gate.Mid‑range hotels and guesthouses 1.2 mi (2 km) from the gate.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Rain making paths slippery low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main gate area reachable by car; short walks on flat ground.
- Trails have uneven sections; not suitable for wheelchairs.
Visiting lightly
- Respect sacred nature; do not collect plants or artifacts.
- Support local artisans by buying crafts from vendors near the gate.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove?
Entry fee is about ₦500–₦800 per person; festival tickets cost ₦2000–₦3000. Prices may vary, so check locally.
What are the best hikes in Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove?
The main shrine trail (1–2 h, easy) follows marked paths along the river; a longer cultural walk combines shrines, sculptures and river views.
When is the best time to visit Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove?
Dry months Nov–Feb are comfortable; August offers the Osun‑Osogbo Festival.
Can I photograph the shrines?
Yes in open areas, but ask permission before photographing worshippers or ceremonies.
Are there accommodations inside the grove?
No; stay in Osogbo town where hotels and guesthouses are available.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go