Lekki Conservation Centre and its treetop walkway in Lagos
Published on 09/01/2026 at 07:40 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Lekki Conservation Centre on the Lekki Peninsula in Lagos is a coastal nature reserve where wetlands, forest and boardwalks share space with a striking treetop walkway. Established in 1990 as a project of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, it protects a sizeable patch of coastal ecosystem along the Lekki–Epe Expressway in a city better known for concrete and traffic.
A coastal reserve of wetlands and forest
Lekki Conservation Centre occupies about 78 hectares of land in Lekki, Lagos State, forming a band of protected terrain between the Lekki–Epe Expressway and the low-lying coastal fringe.78-hectare nature reserve The reserve sits near kilometre 19 of the expressway and stretches towards the Atlantic shore, making use of a landscape of swamps, mangroves and patches of secondary forest.expanding from kilometre 19
The terrain inside the reserve combines swamp forest, grassland and drier woodland, with raised walkways and trails linking different zones.rich biodiversity divided into forest and grassland Ponds and water channels break up the vegetation, and sections of mangroves and raffia palms mark the wetter areas where the soil remains saturated for long periods.coastal wetlands with mangroves Away from the traffic outside the gates, the sounds inside tend towards bird calls, rustling leaves and occasional movement of monkeys in the branches.
The Nigerian Conservation Foundation’s Lagos base
The reserve is managed by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, a non-governmental organisation founded in 1980 to promote nature conservation across Nigeria.managed by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation Its national headquarters stand within the grounds at Lekki, and the conservation centre serves both as a protected area and as an environmental education site for schools, researchers and visitors.NCF headquarters at Lekki Conservation Centre
Chevron Corporation funded the establishment of the reserve in 1990 for the foundation, creating a protected tract of mangrove wetland and mixed habitat on the Lekki Peninsula.built for the Nigerian Conservation Foundation in 1990 Over the decades it has become one of Lagos’s recognised nature parks, providing habitat for monkeys, various bird species and swamp-dwelling reptiles within sight of residential estates and highway traffic.home to monkeys and reptiles
A treetop walkway above the swamp canopy
The architectural centrepiece of Lekki Conservation Centre is its suspended canopy walkway, a treetop route that has become the reserve’s defining feature.defining feature of the centre The structure consists of metal walkways hung from tall support towers, linked in sequence to form a continuous elevated path through different vegetation zones.
The walkway extends about 401 m (around 1,315 ft) and reaches heights of over 20 m (around 66 ft) above the forest floor at its tallest sections, giving it a documented status as the longest canopy walkway in Africa.401-metre-long canopy walkwaylongest suspended walkway in Africa Platforms and staircases from the main visitor area provide access, and from the higher spans the view runs across tree crowns, lagoons and patches of mangrove swamp below.up to 22 metres above the forest floor
Visiting Lekki Conservation Centre: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Lekki Conservation Centre lies along the Lekki–Epe Expressway on the Lekki Peninsula in Lagos State, opposite the Chevron residential estate and near the second Lekki toll gate. Public transport and taxis in Lagos run along this corridor, with stops close to Chevron bus stop.
- The reserve’s terrain includes swampy ground, raised boardwalks and the elevated canopy walkway. Accessing the treetop route involves climbing stairs and walking along suspended sections above the forest floor.
- The coastal setting means humid air and exposed sections on the canopy walkway. Footpaths and platforms can feel warm in the dry season, while low-lying areas retain moisture around ponds and mangroves.
- The official language is English and the currency is the Nigerian naira.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Lekki Conservation Centre
Where is Lekki Conservation Centre located in Lagos?
The reserve is on the Lekki Peninsula along the Lekki–Epe Expressway at around kilometre 19, near Chevron Estate and the second Lekki toll gate.
What can visitors expect on a visit to Lekki Conservation Centre?
Visitors encounter wetlands, forest, raised boardwalks and wildlife such as monkeys and birds, with the option of an elevated walk along the long suspended canopy route.
What makes Lekki Conservation Centre distinctive among Lagos nature sites?
Its combination of a sizeable coastal wetland reserve, the headquarters of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation and a treetop walkway recognised as the longest canopy walkway in Africa gives it a distinct character.
