About a week ago (pun not intended 😂) I visited Badagry for a short stay at@ajalaonthemovey@tumithekoko. We took a historical tour of the city that ended with a visit to the point of no return.
This guide contains all the details of my travel experience and of course my costs! Which I hope will help you plan your own trip.
in this post
THE CITY OF BADAGRY
Badagry is a coastal town in Lagos State, Nigeria, between the city of Lagos and the border with the Republic of Benin. It was one of the most important slave ports on the west coast of Africa.
Primarily known as the city where Christianity was first preached in Nigeria (the actual site is now the "Agiya Tree Monument"), the location of the first floor building in Nigeria (which still stands today) and Gberefu Island: The Point of Nowhere way back.
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GETTING TO BADAGRY
Most people asked me 1 question about my trip:
How did you get there? By road or by boat?
These are the 2 routes you can take to get to Badagry:
- Boat:is faster (1 hour each way).
- You can take a public boat(what is Cmore stacked) or a private boat (which is more expensive).
- By Road: This route is slower (due to the bad road on the Badagry highway) it takes about 2.5 hours (without traffic) to reach Badagry village from the main city of Lagos and then another 45 minutes to Badagry Heritage Museum.
BADAGRIO TOUR
This tour was organized by Whispering Palms Resort and we visited the following locations:
- Badagry Heritage Museum– Open from Monday to Saturday: 9.00 – 17.00
- The Brazilian Barracks by Seriki Williams Abass– Open from Monday to Saturday: 9.00 – 17.30
- Mobee Slave Trade Relics Museum– Open from Monday to Saturday: 9.00 – 17.00
- First floor building in Nigeria– Open from Monday to Saturday: 9.00 – 17.00
- Point of No Return – Gberefu Island
The trip lasted about 5 hours. We start at 8:30 and finish at 1:30. Therefore, I suggest you go early in the morning to avoid getting caught in the afternoon sun.
Throughout the tour we had incredibly knowledgeable guides who explained in great detail the journey the slaves made in Badagry.
RATING MUSEUMS
Knowing that the trip would be at least 4 hours, we started the day with the Whispering Palms breakfast. I can't go on a trip on an empty stomach.
The beginning of the trip!
Badagry Heritage Museum – This museum takes you on a historical journey (through photos, relics and artifacts of the slave trade) from the beginning of the slave trade to its end.
You will see:
- How were slaves traded?
- So they bartered (40 slaves for 1 umbrella, 10 slaves for a bottle of gin)
- The treatment of slaves
- The journey of the slaves to unknown lands
- Their lives as slaves in new lands
- His release.
I was able to experience history in a way I hadn't before (I'm a bit of a history buff if you don't know).
SERIKI ABASS BRAZILIAN BARRACÓN (PRIPTION OF SLAVES)
Our next stop was the Barracón de Brasil: the slave dungeons where slaves were kept for 3 months straight before being sent to unknown destinations.
You will see the royal cells where slaves were kept and some artifacts from that time.
FIRST FLOOR BUILDING IN NIGERIA
The last time I visited this building it was about 10 years old, so it was nice to see it still standing (although it needs a bit more maintenance).
The building still contains the original materials used to build it in the 19th century and serves as a small museum that pays tribute to Anglican missionaries and the first teacher in Nigeria, Mr. Claudius Philips.
Despite being a National Historic Site, this property is run and administered by the Church of England.
Here you can find the first Bible translated into Yoruba (which is about 170 years old) by Samuel Ajayi Crowther, as well as the first safe in Nigeria that contained old money, including snails.
The Miracle Well
In the First Storey building complex in Nigeria is "The Miracle Well", so named by the locals as a result of the many miracles attributed to it.
- It has never dried out (even in the dry season)
- It has never been dirty or contaminated.
The locals still go for water and drink from the well. Although I didn't drink it, it is clean enough to drink without filtering.
GBEREFU ISLAND – NO RETURN
This was our last stop on the Badagry tour.
Gberefu Island: point of no return. It takes you along the route the slaves took to reach the Atlantic Ocean (where the slave ships docked). The boat trip to the island takes approximately 2 minutes.
If you go the route of the slaves, it takes 20 minutes to get to where the "Arch of turning to unknown destinations" is located and another 20 minutes to go back, we chose to take a motorcycle to the point and walk again. .
The walk back was exhausting, the sand was scorching hot and the sun was merciless. Be sure to bring sunscreen!
Dampening the spirit of the slaves.
The well that the slaves drank from on their way to the point of no return. It can be found along the route to the point of no return.
It is said that because of the thirst they had from the trip, the slaves drank from the well. Unknown to them, the water had been enchanted to make them forget their past.
GOING TO GO FOR THE DAY?
Badagry can easily be visited in one day if you go by boat (it's 1 hour each way). You can go in the morning, spend 5 hours and be back before
But if you are going by road, it is not recommended to leave for the day. With the bad roads, it is quite certain that you will spend most of your day on the road. When you come back, you will also drive on the roads of Badagry at night, which is not safe.
COST BREAKDOWN
Tour cost organized by Whispering Palms: 6,000 naira
- This cost covered our admission to Seriki Williams Abass Brazilian Hut, Mobee Slave Trade Relics Museum, First Story Building in Nigeria and Badagry Heritage Museum.
- The price also included a vehicle, drinks, water and snacks to eat along the way.
The 6000 Naira paid to Whispering Palms did not include the cost of the point of no return where we paid for a boat trip to Gberefu Island (the actual point of no return).
However, at the resort we were told that we should not pay more than 500 naira per person for the tour. I'm sure from the way the story goes, you might have guessed that we actually paid over 500 naira for a boat ride (a motorized canoe) which lasted about 2 minutes.
Yes we pay 1500 naira each! We had managed to negotiate it below 2,000 naira per person. I still think we have been cheated somehow.
Other expenses:
- Donations for guides and additional donations to help maintain the buildings. We made donations at Badagry Heritage Museum and The First Story Building.
- Souvenir shop from the Heritage Museum. I buy:
- Another cup: 1,500
- An African fabric top: 3,500
- Gberefu Island Motorcycle Tour: The cost of a Gberefu Island Motorcycle Tour (to the point of no return and back) is 200 Naira each way. We took a motorbike there and went back so we only paid 200 naira.
frequently asked questions
How much is the entrance fee??
- The entrance fee to all places varies from 200 to 500 naira.
Can I pay for a Badagry tour with whispering palms without being invited?
- Yes you can, but make sure you call ahead to make an appointment.
If you use this guide to explore Badagry, I'd love to see your trip, so please tag me in one of your photos!
Happy exploring!
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FAQs
Why is it called point of no return in Badagry? ›
The Point of No Return in Badagry, Nigeria was the spot where slaves from the area last set foot on the soil of their African homeland. The Point of No Return in Badagry, Nigeria was the spot where slaves from the area last set foot on the soil of their African homeland.
Where is the place of no return in Badagry? ›Gberefu Island also known as Point of No Return is a populated historical island located in Badagry, a town and local government area of Lagos State, South-Western Nigeria.
Where is the point of no return in Africa? ›"Gate of No Return" at Elmina Castle, the slave export gate from the castle dungeon to the beach and to the exporting slave ship.
What is the history of the point of no return? ›Origins and spread of the expression
The phrase "point of no return" originated as a technical term in air navigation to refer to the time and/or location during a flight at which the aircraft no longer has enough fuel to return to its originating airfield.
The Transatlantic Slave Trade started in Badagry in 1473 and ended in 1888. Badagry was part of the European Slave Coast exporting an average of 17,000 Slaves annually to the United States and The Caribbean Islands.
What is the story of Badagry? ›A British trading post was established there in the 1820s, and Badagry developed as a palm-oil port for Egbaland to the north and as an importer of European cloth. In the 1830s it attracted freed slaves from Freetown (Sierra Leone), and, in 1842, it became the site of the first European mission (Methodist) in Nigeria.
What is the most inaccessible place in Africa? ›- The need for connectivity is often the most critical in remote areas of Africa, where internet penetration remains low or non-existent. ...
- Medupi Power Station, South Africa.
- Chitokoloki Mission, Zambia.
- Flatdogs Camp, Zambia.
- Marymount, Zimbabwe.
- Tarbaj, Kenya.
The Last Bath
The Assin Manso Slave River Site served as the place where slaves had their last bath on African soil before being marched down to the slave castles of Elmina and Cape Coast along the coast.
The outmoded government policies are a major factor in why Africa is still trailing behind the rest of the globe. Governments are responsible for driving technological advancement, economic development, and higher living standards, but regrettably in Africa, the governments are not paying much attention to any of this.
What factors affect your point of no return? ›There are several factors that can affect the determination of the point of no return. These include the aircraft configuration, wind component, and the altitude of the aircraft.
What is the difference between abort point and point of no return? ›
Rajeev Jassal
The point where width of the channel becomes narrow enough that vessel cannot make a turn would be called Abort point. Point of no return is not related to the width of the channel or turning of the vessel.
Badagry (traditionally Gbagli), also spelled Badagri, is a coastal town and Local Government Area (LGA) in Lagos State, Nigeria.
Is Badagry an ancient settlement in Lagos? ›The ancient town of Badagry, also known as Badagri, is located in Nigeria and was one of the five divisions established by the Lagos State in 1968. It has a troubled past and an important present.
Is Badagry known for coconut plantation? ›In Nigeria, Coconut has a cultural affinity with areas such as Badagry, Lagos Island and Ibeju- Lekki.
Where did the first African slaves land? ›In late August, 1619, 20-30 enslaved Africans landed at Point Comfort, today's Fort Monroe in Hampton, Va., aboard the English privateer ship White Lion. In Virginia, these Africans were traded in exchange for supplies.
What tribe is Badagry? ›Conversely, not much is known or has been written about the people who reside in Badagry town: The Egun ethnic group. The history of this tribe is wrapped up in obscurity that people assumed they do not exist. Therefore, this research work gives an explanatory note on the history of the Egun ethnic group in Badagry.
Where did slavery first start in Africa? ›Slavery in northern Africa dates back to ancient Egypt. The New Kingdom (1558–1080 BC) brought large numbers of slaves as prisoners of war up the Nile valley and used them for domestic and supervised labour. Ptolemaic Egypt (305 BC–30 BC) used both land and sea routes to bring in slaves.
What are people from Badagry called? ›The Ogu people are found in Badagry and in the Yewa and Ipokia region of Ogun State. They are also located in some parts of the Republic of Benin.
What does Badagry mean? ›Badagry is a monarchy headed by the Wheno Aholuship, a kingship headed by the Akran of Badagry and his seven white cap high chiefs. Badagry had established the institution of divine kingship (De Wheno Aholu). This had its root from its historical migration from ketu kingdom in the 15th century.
How did Christianity come to Badagry? ›
Aside being a major center of the obnoxious Trans Atlantic Slave Trade, it was also a key hub of Christian missionary activities in West Africa in the 18th century. Famous Christian missionary, Rev Thomas Birch Freeman who was the first European to preach the Christian faith in Nigeria did so at Badagry in 1842.
What is the only white town in Africa? ›Coverage generally describes Orania as culturally backward, racially intolerant, and separatist. Descriptions of Orania frequently call it "whites-only", since the town only accepts white Afrikaner residents.
Which is the cleanest country in Africa? ›Which Country is the Cleanest in Africa in 2022? Rwanda is the cleanest country in Africa.
What is the dirtiest country in West Africa? ›Niger, the largest country in West Africa, is among the worst for access to clean water — and among the world's poorest.
What did slaves do when they ran away? ›Typically, slaves escaped by themselves or in small groups and hid from authorities for up to several weeks. Many often returned to their owners after suffering hunger and other hardships on their own. If escaped slaves were captured, owners had to pay fees to free them from jail.
Where did slaves sleep during slavery? ›For the most part, they were housed in the same lodgings as their owners, usually in an attic or back room. When households were too small to accommodate all its enslaved laborers, and the proprietor was wealthy enough, a separate building for the more senior servants -- cooks, drivers, etc.
What did slaves do with their days off? ›Slaves were generally allowed a day off on Sunday, and on infrequent holidays such as Christmas or the Fourth of July. During their few hours of free time, most slaves performed their own personal work.
Why is Africa called the Dark continent? ›Africa was originally dubbed the “Dark Continent” by Welsh journalist and explorer Henry Morton Stanley, who saw Africa as mysterious. Its landscapes and cultures were largely unknown to many outsiders until the late nineteenth century.
Why is Africa suffering so much? ›CLIMATIC CONDITIONS. The African continent has been suffering more and more from climate change in recent decades: devastating floods and extraordinary drought periods lead to crop failures. The consequences are regular hunger crises and famine in Africa. Particularly affected are East Africa and the Sahel region.
Why is Africa called Africa? ›The origin of the name “Africa” is greatly disputed by scholars. Most believe it stems from words used by the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans. Important words include the Egyptian word Afru-ika, meaning “Motherland”; the Greek word aphrike, meaning “without cold”; and the Latin word aprica, meaning “sunny.”
What is the point of no return in psychology? ›
New York: Basic Books) described the point of no return as a point of irrevocable commitment to action, which was preceded by a period of gradually increasing commitment. As such, the point of no return reflects a fundamental limit on the ability to control thought and action.
How far is the point of no return from the intersection? ›One rule of thumb is that if you are 100 feet or less from the intersection, you have passed “the point of no return” and cannot safely stop before the intersection. Therefore, it is best to continue at your current, legal speed through the intersection, but being very cautious as you pass through.
How do you Recognise the point of no return in your decision making? ›The “point of no return” is reached when the client and/or candidate has enough accurate and timely information on which to make an appropriate decision.
Where do you put the abort point? ›Where to mark abort point ? We need to mark abort point only when approaching a port, canal or such restricted areas. We do not need to mark abort points in open sea just because of one patch where vessel cannot turn.
What is wheel over point? ›What is wheel Over Point ? When the wheel is turned the ship take some time to respond and this is primarily due to the inertia of ship. Hence the wheel should be turn over at a point from which the ship is required to turn. It is obtained by drawing a wheel over line. ( Line parallel to final course )
What year did no more tears release? ›No More Tears is the sixth studio album by English heavy metal vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. Released on 17 September 1991, the album charted at number 17 on the UK Albums Chart and number seven on the US Billboard 200 albums chart.
Is the TV drama No Return based on a true story? ›While many parents who've seen No Return have said that Sheridan's plight as a mum desperately worried for her son hit home with them, with some of the harrowing scenes feeling terrifyingly real, the drama is NOT actually based on a real life case.
What is the Point of No Return in Ghana? ›The castle has a Door of No Return. This was the last place every enslaved person walked before forcibly boarding the ship. It's such a dark part of the castle, but descendants of enslaved people have since started to reclaim its history.
Why is it called Badagry? ›The name Badagry was said to be derived from the city's indigenes' methods of subsistence, which include fishing, farming, and salt production. Others think the city was called after Agbedeh, a well-known farmer whose farm, Agbadarigi, was renamed Badagry by Europeans.
Where is the place of no return in Ghana? ›At Cape Coast Castle on the shores of the Ghanaian city, a sordid history belies its beauty. The castle overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, a former slave-trade outpost, is home to the so-called "Door of No Return," through which millions of Africans were forced onto slave ships bound for the United States.
What is Badagry in Nigeria known for? ›
Badagry locals, comprising of the Aworis, Egun, Yoruba and Ogu people, are known for their hospitable disposition and their famous snack, Ajogun, made from cassava, is best enjoyed with coconut water sucked from a straw plunged deep into the coconut.
How many Ghanaians want to leave Ghana? ›Forty-four percent of Ghanaians express the intention to emigrate permanently. This share is the third highest among the ECOWAS countries after Sierra Leone (61%) and Liberia (58%). On average, 36% of the ECOWAS population and 37% of the Sub-Saharan African population expressed a desire to emigrate.
Why did Nigeria say Ghana must go? ›Ghana must go is also a renowned phrase in Ghana and Nigeria. It dates back to history where Ghanaians were deported from Nigeria following a presidential executive order in 1983. The deportation was due to the fear that Ghanaians were taking over Nigerian jobs.
What 3 things caused the decline of Ghana? ›The Ghana Empire crumbled from the 12th century CE following drought, civil wars, the opening up of trade routes elsewhere, and the rise of the Sosso Kingdom (c. 1180-1235 CE) and then the Mali Empire (1240-1645 CE).
Which tribe owns Badagry? ›Although the Egun dominate Badagry, there were still other ethnic groups that live amongst them majorly the Awori and Egbado groups. It is also of note that the neighbouring Republic of Benin harbours the majority of the Egun tribes. Cities like Cotonou and Port – Novo are ancestral cousins to the Egun of Nigeria.
What is a fact about Badagry? ›Badagry was a key port and commercial centre for the trading of African slaves to Europeans between the 15th and 18th centuries due to its proximity to the ocean. During that time, it is estimated that 550,000 slaves were exported to America.
What language do they speak in Badagry? ›language of Badagry is Ogu, a dialect of Aja also us. in #PortoNovo?
Where in Ghana is the center of the Earth? ›The prime meridian passes through Ghana, specifically through Tema. Ghana is geographically closer to the "centre" of the Earth than any other country, since the notional centre, (0°, 0°) is located in the Atlantic Ocean approximately 614 km (382 mi) off the south-east coast of Ghana.
Which country is closet to Ghana? ›Ghana is a West African country on the Gulf of Guinea. Its neighbours are Côte d'Ivoire, to the west, Burkina Faso, which lies north, and Togo, to the east.
Where did the Portuguese stayed in Ghana? ›In 1482, the Portuguese built the first castle in the Gold Coast at Elmina to enhance their trading activities especially in gold and slaves. By 1598, the Dutch also arrived in the Gold Coast to trade. They built forts along the coastal areas, notable among them being the Dutch fort at Komenda.
Is Badagry a nice place to live in? ›
2 comments on “Badagry”
Badagry is a peaceful place. To crown it all, badagry has the oldest tourist centres in Lagos. It is a special place in Lagos because of its historical features. The slavery route, house for slaves and the first storey building in Nigeria are some of it's great features.
Indigenous inhabitants include the Aworis and Eguns in Ikeja and Badagry Divisions respectively, with the Eguns being found mainly in Badagry. There is also an admixture of other pioneer settlers collectively known as the Ekos.