# Ondo State

Ondo State is a state in South West Nigeria.

## Cities

* 7.255.1951 Akure
* 7.4735.7362 Akungba Akoko
* 7.5166675.753 Ikare
* 6.7939154.8674554 Odigbo
* 6.504174.779445 Okitipupa
* 7.0833334.8333336 Ondo City
* 7.1961115.5863897 Owo
* 7.1044695.1310448 Idanre
* 7.2833335.8666679 Idoani
* 7.41375.050710 Igbara-Oke
* 6.3692324.78418111 Ilaje
* 7.1664424.72423512 Ile Oluji
* 7.3480565.11444413 Ilara-Mokin
* 7.17345.614514 Iyere
* 6.08954.845715 Ajapa

## Understand

Ondo State, created in the year 1976, is popularly nicknamed the 'Sunshine State'. It is the 18th largest state in Nigeria which had a population of 5.3 million in 2022 census. The major language predominantly spoken in Ondo State is Yoruba.

### Climate

Ondo State is a rain forest region which has rainfall almost all year round.
Ondo State has hot and warm seasons. The wet season is warmer than that of most areas in the southeastern Nigeria, while the hot season is partly cloudy.

## Get in

* 7.2145.2981 Akure Airport (AKR) (along Akure-Owo Express Road). Flights from Abuja and Lagos. (updated Jun 2021)
There are popular buses from every state which travel to Ondo State.

## Get around

* There are a lot of ways to move around in Ondo State, such as the popular taxis or cabs. They are readily available in Ondo State to move you around, have their special color and are easily recognizable. It is usually very affordable with prices ranging from as low as ₦50 to as high as ₦500 depending on the distance of where you are going to.
* There are also car-hailing transportations available to move you around in some areas of Ondo State. There is the availability of Uber and Bolt to move one around. The easiest way to do this is by booking a ride online.

## See

The Cave Ashes in Isharun, near Akure, is the home of the Oldest Pre-historic man in West Africa.
The Ebomi Lake Tourist Centre is in Ipesi in Akoko South-East, not far from Akure. A lot of people come here for relaxation and to explore nature.
Deji of Akure Palace is the traditional home of the town’s ruler.
The Olowo of Owo's palace is the largest in Yoruba land and was declared a national monument by the Federal Government in 2000. It was built in 1340 and is the largest palace in Africa with a covering of 99-hectare piece of land. There are over 100 ancient courtyards and they were dedicated to a particular deity, each has its own function. Today, only 17 are still intact.

## Do

* 7.1037835.1094951 Idanre Hill Peak (take Akure-Idanre Road out of Akure to location). Located about 25 km outside of Akure, this popular hiking destination allows you to ascend 667 steps to an elevation of nearly 3000 feet, among dome-like hills that are steeped in folklore and supposedly listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Sight due to its presence of prior human habitation. Here you can find the Owa's (king's palace), Belfry, Old Court, Agboogun footprint, shrines, etc., and the scenery is really quite awe-inspiring. You may have to pay a "guide" at the entrance, but there is no need to book ahead. (updated Jul 2020)
* 7.22135.21342 Egungun Festival. The Egungun festival is a part of the Yoruba traditional religion. It is performed to mark the death of important personalities, the festival is common among the Egbas, Egbados, Oyo and other parts of South West Nigeria. The festival is usually an annual celebration performed within the months of November to April when there is no rain, with the belief that their ancestor should not have to suffer in the rain. (updated Jun 2021)
* 7.22015.21343 Igbo Olodumare. This place is at Oke Igbo and has an evergreen forest that is beautiful and thick. You can shoot movies here, have a picnic and generally do other fun things here. You will most possibly be meeting a lot of persons out there who are also visiting here to have an awesome moment. (updated Jun 2021)

## Stay safe

Ondo State is a cool state, it is known to be relatively safe as there is no real chaos in the state, the environment is serene and peaceful. A tourist can go there to have fun

## Go next

* Oyo State
* Lagos State
* Anambra State
* Gombe State
* Edo State
* Taraba State