The receding evening sun was partially hidden by a dark cloudy sky, but not completely as its dark golden glow splashed over the beach fronts, giving it a yellowish hue. The breeze whistled gently sweeping across the coconut trees. The coconut fronts bowed at the touch of the cool breeze as if in reverence to a deity.
Being intimate with nature has always been a key lure of La Campagne Tropicana, Ikegun. Currently, the romance with nature has gone a notch further with the introduction of a new concept, the Oba Ilerigi (Tree House) range of nature’s suites. It is an audacious new concept in luxury suites that combines modern luxury and the Ijaw primeval architectural design.
Further from this local flavour, the world over, the concept of sustainable tourism in destinations has become very imperative.
Sustainable tourism has been described as tourism that minimizes the costs and maximizes the benefits of tourism for natural environments and local communities, and can be carried out indefinitely without harming the resources on which it depends.
Tourism is one of the largest global industries, with much of the growing market focused around pristine natural environments such as coastal and marine protected areas. Sustainable tourism is deliberately planned to benefit local residents, respect local culture, conserve natural resources, direct more of the profits to the local community and the investors. This is where the new concept of the Tree House accommodation facilities at La Campagne Tropicana Resort scores the bull’s eye.
Oba Ilerigi is built on about eight wooden sticks, about six feet high that carries the house. Just under the house is a small swimming pool. The swimming pool sides are demarcated by sliced trunks of coconut trees which are in abundance on the Lagos beach front.
The stairs to the Tree House is also made of slices of wood. The dry stems of small trees serve as part of the staircase. They turn golden in colour as the shaft of the late evening sun cascades on them.
At the entrance to the house is gangan (Yoruba drum). On the right is a mini-balcony with wooden stools and tables. One could sit here and watch the sun recede and gradually welcome the night that would immediately cast its spell on the earth.
One could also watch the ocean water in its monotonous crashing on the shore and then receding to repeat the same again.
The floor is made of wood with an overlay of marble. A six-by-six bed is at the centre of the tree house. The interior décor is purely African. There is a clean modern bathroom and a toilet. The rest room is also built with the bamboo. The house has a thatch helping to cool the inside.
Although close to 70 per cent of the content of the Tree House is locally sourced from the area, things like the bathroom and toilet are imported. The design of the house is such that it has huge, wide windows overlooking the ocean.
Dr. Wanle Akinboboye, the founder of La Campagne Tropicana, said of Oba Ilerigi. “Its materials and the builders are from this community and I am indeed very pleased with this development.
“My joy is that more of it will be built in the nearest future and replicated across Africa. This would no doubt lead to more jobs and opportunities for the entire community where the facilities are made.”
It is located at Ikegun Village, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State, a distance of an hour from the bustling of Lagos. It’s a land of palm-fringed, white sandy beaches where time slows down in sync with the rhythm of the waves that gently laps the shore.
At the resort, you may choose between a dip in the refreshing surf of the Atlantic Ocean on your left or the placid water of fresh water lake on your right. Or simply dive into a book while remaining firmly on the golden sands in between.
La Campagne Tropicana is the type of resort you dream about, but never realise it is right at your doorstep. Yet, for those lucky enough to have discovered it, this is the tropical getaway that allows you to escape the stress of city life and breathe again.
As you stroll along the beach, sipping a cocktail at sunset or enjoy the nightly entertainment, you’ll have to remind yourself that you’re still in Nigeria. It is on 65 acres of expansive lawns, scented tropical gardens, mysterious savannah and cool mangrove forests that give La Campagne its unique ambience.
The rooms and villas mix traditional African architecture and furnishings with all the modern conveniences you would expect in a well-appointed resort, including air conditioner, hot water and room service.
The view outside your window may look Caribbean, but it is distinctly African inside – with cool circular rooms, high ceilings, basket-woven chairs, traditional fabrics and locally hand-made furniture in dark, polished mahogany.
For those in search of the authentic African experience, the Oba Ilerigi experience is the ultimate in the sense that it combines the adventure with pure luxury. While one is indulging in the adventure of living on a tree top for a change, comfort and luxury are not by any means sacrifice.
The house is part of the wider Nigeria’s top leisure resort, La Campagne. During this Easter it might not be out of tune to take a break and head for the resort. It is about 100 kilometres from Lagos. From Lagos, one would take the Lekki-Epe Expressway and then go to the right at the Akodo junction and then head to Akodo, passing also the Lagos Export Processing Zone and Lekki town. Ikegun is towards the end of the long stretch of the expressway. Although is quite a journey getting there, but the one could be rest assured the experience would be worth the trouble.
At the resort, guests have many options to choose from, ranging from spacious standard rooms, doubles or villas, all with en-suite bathrooms and gorgeous objects that decorate every interior.
Without doubt, the resort lively bars have on parade vibrant performances of talented artistes. Each night unveils music, dance and comedy of surprising quality, honed to perfection.
Over the years, La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort has continuously offered an assortment of packages and deals for family getaways, romantic escapes and group discounts.
For no one to be left out, the management of the resort created a bespoke experience for every guest’s or visitor’s requirements and ensuring that both corporate and private events go without a hitch.
Despite all these array of leisure options to choose from, Oba Ilerigi is still the ultimate experience.
