Idanre Hill

Idarne Hill is situated next to Akure, a small town in Southern Nigeria's Ondo State. Rising 3000 ft above sea level, the hill contains a variety of historical sites, including an old palace, shrines and several burial mounds, all situated on its small plateau.

The annual Ogun Festival is held on top of the hill every October, and is a spectacular event to witness - a traditional Yoruba celebration. The past inhabitants of this area, those for whom the Ogun festival is part of their heritage, once lived exclusively up on the hill. The landmark therefore has significant cultural importance.

Apart from the obvious cultural attractions of the area, there is a high level of biodiversity preserved here. This includes the Hyrax, a small, tailless, rodent-like mammal, which remains the closest living relative to the elephant. A multitude of monkey species also call the hill home, as well as a large bat colony, which is celebrated yearly in a festival of bats.