Lagos Makoko Floating Community Tour: Is it Worth it? – Review
Makoko, often called the “Venice of Africa,” is actually a remarkable waterfront community right on the coast of Lagos, Nigeria. It’s pretty much a place built entirely on water, and it presents a stark contrast to the nearby upscale areas of Lagos. I mean, visiting Makoko is like stepping into a totally different reality, one where you see how people make their homes and lives on the lagoon. Taking a tour there could be an eye-opening experience, giving you a chance to learn about the culture and daily routines of the residents, like their challenges, and the things that make them strong. Yet, very, it is important to consider the ethical side of tourism in communities facing poverty.
What You Should Know Before You Visit
If you are thinking of seeing Makoko, know that, typically, it is a community where people have made their houses and lives right on the water, very, it gives an insight into a whole different way of life. Before going, it is helpful to research a little about the history, and the present situation of the community. That way, maybe, you can see what’s happening there, also it is beneficial to find a tour operator who knows the area, and respects the local culture. Safety is rather important, so it is almost always a good idea to ask your tour guide about guidelines, and how to act while you are there. Remember to respect the people’s privacy if you visit. And of course, it goes a long way if you bring a small gift, or maybe donate something to benefit the community directly. It makes sure that your visit does something good too.
Booking a Makoko Tour: What to Look For
When it is time to book a tour to Makoko, maybe, it’s useful to search around for tour companies that local people actually run, or are working with. That, you see, helps put your money directly into the community. Have a look at what past travellers have said about different tours, just that way, you will find one that is nice, also teaches you a bit, and does not bother the local folks. Very, check that the tour tells you a little bit about the traditions of Makoko, the way people make a living, and the challenges they face. The tours are even better if the tour operator actually gives some of the money from your trip back to the community, like your paying for education, or for health care. Double check what’s covered by the tour, or what is not, maybe, bottled water, photo permits, or some tips you are expected to give at the end. And, like your doing anything that requires moving around on water, see that there are safety precautions included, life jackets, very, also some reliable boats.
What to Expect During the Tour
On a tour, often, you are going to hop onto a boat, so you will cruise the waterways of Makoko. It is almost like, you are watching life play out right in front of you. People traveling around in canoes, kids heading off to the local school, women out selling items in floating markets: You get to watch every day happenings from right up close. Is that not really something! The tour guide that you have will typically let you know about the setup of the community. They will likely tell you about the background of the place, how families make ends meet, also what problems they are up against, like flooding, getting rid of waste properly, and also dealing with possible eviction threats. You can generally find kids are very happy. Basically, they may wave and shout hellos. Always ask first if it is alright to snap someone’s picture, or anyplace. Is that really being respectful. When going ashore, maybe, the guide will lead you around. The houses are made on stilts, even roads built on water. You could even check out the local stores, perhaps places that craft things, and actually taste native food if there are chances.
Ethical Considerations When Visiting Makoko
Traveling to places such as Makoko means one ought to do it ethically and very carefully. Above all, remember that Makoko is very, very much more than some spot for tourist eyes, really; It is the actual home, the place of life and culture for numerous persons. Just going there viewing it almost like an attraction does not really cut it. Is that not the truth. You should conduct yourself so the place, and all the inhabitants, get honored. Keep privacy standards always in mind. Never take pictures without permission from persons, definitely not inside folks’s houses. That, to be honest, just may intrude way too far into their space. Strive hard as well, you give straight back to where your travels take place. When spending cash, give priority and select those regional, area-appropriate suppliers that help the local market thrive. You can donate time and fund local ventures regarding health and welfare services and scholarly grants. Actively aim to prevent things negative: do not contribute or support in any fashion at all any type exploitative labor conditions like using, say, very low pay or dangerous condition employees. Help tourism remain manageable this way: Encourage sustainable measures in your visits to lessen the detrimental ecological footprints arising because tourists go traveling across ecosystems.
My Personal Experience on the Makoko Tour
Honestly, taking a trip to Makoko actually stuck with me. The minute you approach by boat, you begin seeing these structures on top of the water stretching way beyond your field of vision. Very quickly, the day starts providing an opening right inside another kind of culture that functions differently compared most everywhere else. I observed youngsters happily paddling canoes going towards their education centers; ladies offering diverse wares through floating marketplace shops – living so completely right there! Very naturally, stories start getting passed regarding how their families manage daily routine duties alongside persistent hardships concerning their waste issues combined along eviction anxieties; very, things definitely become real! To watch it occurring like that shifted my frame about what society truly has. Certainly I would want everyone conscious-mindful traveling could see specifically the things I could when in that specific setting. Seeing Makoko showed absolutely; also there, mankind remains strong plus has resilience combined with optimism right notwithstanding all issues going right directly all all across their trail!
Photo and Video Policy
Before snapping pics or taping anything throughout that excursion remember ethical factors; keep personal data strictly exclusive from view – often simply obtain particular consent originally specifically right right when doing individuals face shots. Generally, honor personal secrecy requests completely should these people exist when someone appears hesitant relating photography or films at any point!
What to Bring With You
Make guaranteed while preparing your departure make completely most items prove highly helpful. To be certain bring sunblock including cap gear so just as much shielding at powerful beams off daylight comes offered effectively! Water stays paramount; take plentiful bottled supplies just that so none needs bother themselves when moisture might go shorter soon sufficiently! Maybe, smallish amounts worth coinage makes great perception just now, supporting smaller neighborhood enterprises plus traders too, it looks excellent by means providing that sort help! Besides having one’s digital camera geared for action; even just taking much power keeps action going especially when hardly somewhere has charge points all ready somewhere convenient throughout the travels made while watching all happenings over various spots! ultimately take antiseptic fluids to scrub up promptly later interacting especially inside congested community areas, or next doing items by hands on such regions generally!.
Other Nearby Attractions
Although seeing specifically Makoko truly keeps special pull factors towards individuals head bound round places, it could be useful that different cool locations nearby happen nearly near including worth viewing anytime anybody may hold duration available. Lekki Conservation Centre supplies calmness using dense vegetation including walkways whereby guests usually get a chance for sights watching regional creature populations also beautiful floras as just only starts existing. Afterwards there might often rest Nike Art Gallery displays creative functions caused because different Nigerian painters, rendering people chances soaking onto deep rooted aestheticism including tradition directly directly all-embracing Nigeria country generally usually!. Floating around on those lagoons with a boat cruise; possibly tourists obtain peacefulness viewing gorgeous coasts coupled towards waterfront living which always proves interesting.
Is the Makoko Tour Worth It?
Thinking over everything carefully while balancing advantages towards feasible matters creates smart determination-getting while doing precisely exactly; those Lagos situated’s tours always prove really, intensely beneficial only provided travellers constantly remember those points stated beforehand with moralities too included fully totally entirely constantly whenever planning trips there and directly directly when during trips themselves; as extended trips stay ethical conscious, tours always give opportunities whereby guests become experienced concerning lifestyles within Lagos state country while likewise supporting every part throughout areas neighborhoods especially wherever your trips cause impacts!. It allows guests encountering genuine personified conditions but often enables adding straight on communities helping the economic rise to assist with their day’s daily tasks .
Key Takeaways
- Touring Makoko lets folks begin grasping human determination plus perseverance.
- Choose simply tours emphasizing moral tourism together beside assisting local communities financially speaking in addition; always consider how privacy for citizen individuals comes!
- Bring items by ones selves which you could have even whilst making every thing work by ethical practices during expeditions across different areas on that locale including near other hotspots.