02-Jan-2010 -- This Confluence should have been marked white (uncompleted) for five days. On 29 December 2009, Torsten Reinking and I (Malte Schmalfeldt) approached up to the last 15 km route-distance. We started at Lagos at sunrise and followed the route Abeokuta – Ado-Awaiye – Iganna and reached Iwere at 2.30 p.m.

As agreed in common, we decided to return to Lagos and not to continue along the way, since it seemed to be impossible to find the Confluence and drive back to Lagos within one day. People at Iwere confirmed our concern and described the continuing laterite way worse than the sandy laterite way to Iwere. And the distance was still 15 km with motorbikes on laterite to the position, which is closest to the direct walking distance to the Confluence through the bush. We assumed a duration of three hours for this remaining trip, which meant to be back at Iwere after 5.00 p.m. To drive back to Lagos would have taken further four to five hours at night. So we returned and reached Lagos at 7.00 p.m. after a total distance of nearly 600 km, out of that 60 km on laterite.

Knowing the route and several positions to buy fuel and drinking water, Christian Moessmer and I started on 1^st January 2010 at around 10.30 a.m. Since it was agreed to stay one night in the bush or at any local hotel, we packed all necessary items and food. Christian seized the opportunity for his maiden voyage with his new KTM Adventure 990 and all its accessories. For me, it was another occasion to learn to ride my bike BMW GS 1100 R on Nigerian roads of asphalt and laterite and Lagos' slow-go.

Christian suggested to try a new route passing Igbor-Ore and Igangan to Iganna. All available maps stated the street Igangan-Iganna as unpaved street, which had been the reason for Torsten and me not to drive this street. But Christian made the correct and perfect suggestion, because we drove an asphalt street without traffic and with only small potholes. Though we arrived at Iwere after 4.00 p.m. and found an opportunity of accommodation, we continued our route knowing that it was always possible to return to Iwere. The laterite road was by far better than expected and we even found a convenient place to camp.

The GPS stated 1.1 km straight distance from our camp to the Confluence and under consideration of the not impenetrable bush, it was to be assumed that we would reach the Confluence in the early morning before the heat raised up.

The next morning, our bush-walk passed by at a granite hill marked with embedded millstones. Along this long but flat hill we approached the Confluence for the last 400 m and after less than one hour we finally reached the Confluence. We surveyed the Confluence exactly on a small trail and got aware not to be the first ones stepping on this specific point at all. People passed this Confluence for hunting or field work since. But we were the first “Oibos” at this Confluence, discovering a small part of Nigeria for us.

On our walk back to the camp we followed the trail which increased to a size sufficient for cars and exited at our bush-road less than 600 m away. It merges at a dried-out creek, which we did not recognize as a trail to the Confluence.

It took us less than six hours on our motorbikes back to our accommodation in Lagos, Victoria Island. All the tour was an enjoyment driving on motorbikes in Nigeria and discovering this country's friendly people and nature. It encourages for more...