Nigeria is a land replete with many exciting topographical features; a land that nature has so smiled upon in its abundant graciousness. From the Ogbunike cave in Anambra to Mambilla Plateau in Taraba state; Obudu cattle Ranch in Cross-River… the list of natural landscapes that make a great appeal to the sight and leaves us with pleasurable memories for years to come remains quite expansive.
A scenic natural masterpiece that we will however like to explore [in this article] lies in a rustic settlement of Ekiti state. The Ikogosi warm spring has been a tourist’s haven for many years now and while many first-time adventurers [to the site] may be thrilled by the prospect of seeing its unique confluence of warm and cold springs, there are other intriguing features that will awe anyone who makes the trip down there. Among these are the rolling hills, lush green plantation and waterfalls. The fauna – particularly the birds – also provides a wonderful complement. All these could well help you make a great escape from the 'hustling and bustling' of city life.
Ikogosi warm spring has been known to the dwellers of the area long before it was discovered by British missionary, Reverend John S. McGee in 1952. Notwithstanding, Rev. McGee can be credited for delivering Ikogosi warm spring from the obscurity of traditional beliefs. All the more, the Baptist Missionary [to which the Reverend belonged as at then] was responsible for developing the vicinity of the spring; making it a place where people can resort to for vacation. They however ceded control of the area to the Nigerian Government in 1973.
There are various legends that have been projected about how the warm and cold springs came into being. One popular legend has it that both (springs) were the wives of a hunter, one being irascible and the other being even-tempered, and that they (the wives) turned into warm and cold springs upon being rebuked by their husband aftermath a quarrel. As one might have guessed, the irascible one turned into the warm spring while the mildly mannered wife became the cold spring.
But thanks to science; it has been explained that the warm spring is made possible as a result of deep fracture that exists underground. This causes the water to travel down the earth, and the water is heated up by the geothermal gradient generated therein. The temperature of water remains high to some extent as it (water) surges back to the surface. By the way, it is reported that the warm spring has a temperature of 700C and after the mixture of cold and warm springs – at the confluence – the temperature reading is recorded to be 370C.
Campers’ delight
Besides the natural endowment in and around Ikogosi warm spring, there are various facilities in place to help vacationists enjoy their stay there. There are chalets; restaurants, bar and swimming pool available for those who are seeking enjoy of nature’s benevolence in a serene atmosphere. You can look to include a visit to this haven in your next vacation plan.