Okomu National Park is a rain forest tourism facility with rare, bountiful flora and fauna, ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA writes that the park refreshes anyone who dares to visit it
  
 There are only two rainforest parks in the country.  Okomu National Park located in Edo State, western end of Nigeria is one. The second is the Cross River National Park in Cross River State.
 
 Okomu is however, a thrill for many reasons. Despite its small enclosure, 118 sq kilometres, it has abundant flora and fauna resources with a very rich
 ecosystem that is very unique and distinct. 
 
 Though it appears hidden away from the eyes of the world, Okomu is always a source of joy to anyone visits it. It will envelope such visitor in its hidden
 treasure. Indeed, the small enclosure is pregnant with vast resources. It is perhaps difficult to say which of the various offerings of the park holds the most appealing attraction.
 
 For instance, it has a number of endangered species within its bowels. There is the buffalo, forest elephants, crocodiles, warthogs, chimpanzees, red
 duikers, red river hogs and mona monkeys.
 
 And of course, there are the white-throated monkeys - a very rare and most endangered species in the world.

 The park has the distinct record of being home to this precious species, which by nature is endemic to the park. Even the Cross River National Park with all its rich and varied fauna species could boast of the existence of the white throated monkey within its confines.
 
 Another distinctive feature of the park is the Okomu River that runs through it. In fact, it is from the river that the park derives its name. Though there are other rivers and streams, such as Osse River and Arakhuan stream within its space, the one that appears most captivating and holds potential for a number of water leisure activities, is Okomu River.
 
 Now, what a conservationist or even a first time visitor to the park would not forget in a hurry is the rich flora and ecosystem of the park. As a rainforest
 park, God has endowed the park with very rich and awe-inspiring flora.
 
 The beauty of the park is something that beckons at you the moment you walk into the wild. The air, the green luscious expanse of wild that stretches ahead of you is most luxuriating and captivating.
 
 It is no wonder then that the most natural and instinctive reaction of anyone would be to get lost in the wild. A picture of Alice in Wonderland easily
 flashes through your mind.
 
 Aware of the strong effect that the park is likely to have on visitors, its management has somewhat made one's encounter and desire to commune with nature in an un-obstructive manner quite easy.
 
 For instance, there are trail tracks and these actually make nature trail or safari at the park, a dreamed enterprise. You also discover that the park
 has also been divided into compartments, which bears the label of lakes. These also make it easy for you to cover the expanse of forested land easily.
 
 Perhaps, the place to have a breather while on trail of nature is the section where you have Okomu River.  It has more than a cooling effect on you. The hues and colours of the river are sure laced with some therapeutic ingredients.
 
 You can possibly go on sport fishing here. Another thing you could possibly do is cruise on the water. You could also keep a date with the Iron Bridge that runs across the river.
 
 The bridge is one of the antiquated features of the park. It was built in 1912 by the then African Timber and Plywood (AT and P) Company. Even though it was recently renovated with a hut for relaxation, built at one end of it, visible for you to see are some of the old features of the bridge.
 
 What anyone is likely to see as a most intriguing feature of the park is the Tree Houses within the park. They are two; located at Lakes 64 and 52. The
 Tree Houses are additional pep to one gaining a vintage spot from where to relax and savour the beauties of nature that the park present.
 
 While atop of the platform, you are afforded a birdeye's view of the park. Perhaps the only difficulty is climbing atop. It could be quite
 exciting climbing atop the 140 feet silk cotton Tree House of Lake 52. The Tree House has a base with some measure of space and platform to sit on while contemplating how to conquer the 140 feet height.
 
 Just in case you are afraid of this adventure, never mind, sitting around and watching others go through the exciting rigour of climbing the wooden ladder to the top of the Tree House also has its own attraction.
 
 And the fresh air, the chirping sound of birds and occasionally, some fauna species such as antelopes, duikers and monkeys that run through, that is, if you are lucky enough to set your eyes on them as they move in a flash.
 
 At the end of your trail, you are sure relieved and fulfilled. You are humbled by what you see and would marvel at the pleasant creation. The impression you come away with is that Okomu certainly has its bowel full of exciting and effervescent features that would sure make the day of any visitor.
 
 Okomu National Park is believed to be surrounded by about 45 villages and settlements. The most popularly ones are Udo and Arakhuan villages, which are just by the fringes of the facility. In fact, Udo village is the proposed site of the park's administrative building.
 
 The fact that you interact with some of these communities on your way to the park and while on trail tends to add another colour to the park. If any thing, it helps to humanise the park.
 
 You are not just left with flora and fauna alone but you get to feel the human elements and also feel the pulse of the rural people that you come across. The various communities living within and around the park somehow depend on the park for their daily existence.
 
 Before attaining the status of a national park in 1999, Okomu was a wildlife sanctuary created within the Okomu forest in 1987 by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF). It was meant to be a project that would showcase the mutual existence between the people and the environment, in terms of preserving, protecting and conserving its resources for sustainable development.
 
 Today, the National Park Services (NPS) run the park with Mr. Okedeji Agboola Okeyoyin (a.k.a George) as the officer in charge.
 
 Access to the park, which is in Arakhuan village, South West of Edo State, is quite easy by road. Coming from the western part of the country, you could approach through Okada village. From Okada junction you make a detour to Udo village, and then Arakhuan village while from either the eastern or northern part of the country, you go through Benin city. From Benin City you make a detour to Siluko village.
   
 Hot Spots 

• Tree Houses: Lakes 52 and 64 - afford you a vintage position to have a bird eye's view of the park
• Okomu and Osse Rivers and Arakhuan stream - for sport fishing, boat cruise and other water related activities
• Iron Bridge - for picnic
• Bird watch
• Nature trail (safari)
• A.P. Leventis Centre - for artifacts and other basic materials and information about the park numerous offerings
• Udo and Arakhuan villages - for a feel of rural life

 
 QUOTE
 
 At the end of your trail, you are sure relieved and fulfilled. You are humbled by what you see and marvel at the infinite creation. The impression you come away with is that Okomu certainly has its bowl full of exciting and effervescent features that would sure make the day of any visitor