Palmwine Sessions: An Unravelling Nigeria Adventure to Epe

I spent my last Saturday in February hanging out with amazing people on the outskirts of Lagos. We all signed up for a tour by Unravelling Nigeria to learn how palm wine is tapped, how ogogoro (local gin) is made and how to have a good old relaxing Saturday.

Our experience began with a ride to a local ogogoro factory in Epe. There, we met Jonathan, the factory owner, who took us on a journey, showing us how the beverage is gotten from the palm tree and distilled to make local gin.

Epe canoes

The tour was fantastic. First, we rode in tiny canoes through the swamps and watched as Jonathan climbed a palm tree so skillfully and swiftly. He made some incisions to the bark and left a can there to collect the sap from it.

Palwine Tapper EpeEpe MangrovesPalm wine

He then took us through the process of making ogogoro in his distillery. First, the sap is turned into large blue drums and left to ferment for a few days. It is then transferred into a large iron container and boiled. Then the steam is condensed and collected for consumption.

Ogogoro Factory EpeSometimes, it is sold raw and sometimes, ethanol is added to the mix – which has proved lethal in some cases, leading to a ban of its production and consumption by the Federal Government in 2015. But obviously, that’s not stopping these guys. And me! Look how happy I am!

Ogogoro Factory
Ogogoro be like woman…

Okay, disclaimer: I didn’t try the local gin but still, look how happy you can be just by being in an Ogogoro factory!

Epe Village Hangout…

Anyway, once we were done with the tour, we headed off to a village close by to have a picnic. This was so much fun. We had lots of food, drinks and games and I finally got the chance to taste Kitchen Butterfly’s cooking. It was absolutely delicious! I mean, there’s a reason she’s a top Nigerian chef who has been featured on CNN’s African voices and Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown series.

KitchenButterfly
TravelwithaPen X Kitchen Butterfly

Kitchen ButterflyPalmwine Sessions

We also got customized calabashes (mine had a nipple) and body paintings.

CalabashEpe unravellersUnravellingnigeria

All in all, it was a really good outing and a pretty relaxing and exciting way to spend a weekend in Lagos!

Children Epe

19 comments

  1. Thank you Amarachi. I know this is like 3 years after. I intend to make a trip here with a few friends. Do we have to pay a gate fee or pay a certain amount to a tour guide?

  2. Love your picture angles.
    Is the production process illegal, if not, why is the factory hidden in the bushes and why is access restricted by canoes?

    1. Thank you!
      Technically, local ‘breweries’ like these are illegal because of reasons mentioned in the post. This particular factory isn’t hidden. You can see it from the main express way and you can get to it without canoes. We rode canoes to watch Jonathan tap palm wine. You don’t necessarily have to do that.

  3. I’ve been wanting to go on this Epe trip since forever. Unravelling Nigeria, can you please plan one during Christmas period? Thank you! That’s all!

  4. Hey
    Beautiful pictures and experience…. Bringing it all to life with your great writing skills. Keep it up. I am also looking forward to visit the mangrove soon. All the beautiful

  5. This looked like fun!
    I love palmwine, the one refered to as Tombo…. Not the ogogoro.
    Kitchen butterfly!! I look forward to eating her food some day.

    1. Tombo? Haven’t heard of that before. Is it fresh palmwine or also a by product? Kitchen Butterfly is amazing, and so is her cooking!

  6. Beautiful experience with equally amazing pictures! Have you seen this video of a Naija Delta woman talking about Ogogoro? She said Ogogoro na wetin God give us, e no dey kill person!

  7. I love the photos! Thanks for sharing your experience – it sounds really interesting indeed. I’ll look into visiting a factory the next time I’m in Lagos. Is the one in Epe the only one in Lagos state? How was the journey there? || http://www.lorikemi.com

    1. Thanks LK. This isn’t the only factory in Lagos. Probably not the only one in Epe either. I hear there are some in Ikorodu as well. They are family owned, so there must be more. The journey was hitch free as Unravelling Nigeria organized everything themselves. Literally just showed up. The road was smooth too and traffic was light. So pleasant to and fro.

  8. Lagos has so many experiences though. When you think you’ve seen enough, even more amazing things come up!
    I can’t wait to do some of these things, but until then, I will always live vicariously through you.
    Thank you for sharing all that you do Amarachi!
    http://www.desireuba.wordpress.com

    1. Thanks for your comment, Desire. I absolutely agree about the many experiences you can have right here in Lagos and I’m especially grateful for companies like Unravelling Nigeria who consistently bring out unique things for boring kids like us to do within Nigeria.

    1. Thanks Madeline. It was a funteresting tour (I made up a new word 🙂 ) Would definitely love to see how Palmwine is tapped in other places – I’m sure the basis are the same and perhaps what other products they get out of it.

I love to hear from you, Leave a comment here!

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Guess where! 👀
Guess where! 👀
18 hours ago
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1/9
Let me be honest, that tripod was never going to see the light of day! 🤭
Let me be honest, that tripod was never going to see the light of day! 🤭
2 days ago
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2/9
What a beautiful city! 😍

#kamoriver #kyoto #japan
What a beautiful city! 😍 #kamoriver #kyoto #japan
3 days ago
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3/9
Clear views of Mount Fuji, a beautiful lake and swans... what more could I possibly ask for? 🥰
_____________________

If you visit the area, here are some places you'll find the swans + a perfect view of Mount Fuji 🏔🦢

📌 Hirano Beach 白鳥浜: There's an elderly gentleman who comes to feed the swans from around 8:30am to 4pm, so you're likely to see flocks of swans here
📌 In front of Koyu Club Hotel (コーユー倶楽部山中湖畔サロン)
📌 A little further down the road from the last location is a dock where you can also rent swan boats.

For clear views of Mount Fuji, winter, spring and autumn have the most days with clear visibility. You can always look up the weather forecast to see what the day's going to be like before you visit. 

Early mornings and evenings give you the best chance of seeing the gorgeous mountain without any cloud coverings 🤍 On this particular day, Mount Fuji was clearly visible throughout the day!

#lakeyamanaka #fujifivelakes #swanlake #japan
Clear views of Mount Fuji, a beautiful lake and swans... what more could I possibly ask for? 🥰 _____________________ If you visit the area, here are some places you'll find the swans + a perfect view of Mount Fuji 🏔🦢 📌 Hirano Beach 白鳥浜: There's an elderly gentleman who comes to feed the swans from around 8:30am to 4pm, so you're likely to see flocks of swans here 📌 In front of Koyu Club Hotel (コーユー倶楽部山中湖畔サロン) 📌 A little further down the road from the last location is a dock where you can also rent swan boats. For clear views of Mount Fuji, winter, spring and autumn have the most days with clear visibility. You can always look up the weather forecast to see what the day's going to be like before you visit. Early mornings and evenings give you the best chance of seeing the gorgeous mountain without any cloud coverings 🤍 On this particular day, Mount Fuji was clearly visible throughout the day! #lakeyamanaka #fujifivelakes #swanlake #japan
4 days ago
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4/9
This town was a beautiful surprise in Japan 😍

To get here, we travelled from Kyoto to Nagoya and from there to Nakatsugawa. From Nakatsugawa Station, we had to take another bus to Magome-Juku but the commute was so worth it!

-------‐‐‐--‐

Magome forms part of the Nakasendo Trail, a historic route that once connected Kyoto and Edo (modern-day Tokyo) during the Edo period in Japan. It traverses the mountainous heart of Japan, offering breathtaking views of forests, rivers, and traditional villages.

The trail is known for its 69 post towns where people would rest along the way. Today, parts of the Nakasendo are well-preserved, allowing hikers to experience a mix of nature and history as they walk through charming old towns like Magome and Tsumago, where time seems to stand still amidst the preserved traditional architecture.

#travelinspiration #japantrip #magome #travelwithapentojapan #travelwithapen
This town was a beautiful surprise in Japan 😍 To get here, we travelled from Kyoto to Nagoya and from there to Nakatsugawa. From Nakatsugawa Station, we had to take another bus to Magome-Juku but the commute was so worth it! -------‐‐‐--‐ Magome forms part of the Nakasendo Trail, a historic route that once connected Kyoto and Edo (modern-day Tokyo) during the Edo period in Japan. It traverses the mountainous heart of Japan, offering breathtaking views of forests, rivers, and traditional villages. The trail is known for its 69 post towns where people would rest along the way. Today, parts of the Nakasendo are well-preserved, allowing hikers to experience a mix of nature and history as they walk through charming old towns like Magome and Tsumago, where time seems to stand still amidst the preserved traditional architecture. #travelinspiration #japantrip #magome #travelwithapentojapan #travelwithapen
6 days ago
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5/9
Black Crow Castle, standing strong since the 1500s — a true Japanese gem!
Black Crow Castle, standing strong since the 1500s — a true Japanese gem!
6 days ago
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6/9
Travel Amarachi is VERY different from Home Amarachi! Am I living a fake life?😭😂

Because,my ideal day will start at 10 or 11am and end at 2am. I'm a night owl 🦉, not an early bird 🐦 - a complete opposite of who I become when I travel!

Tea or Coffee? No, thanks! I'll take a glass of orange juice please! 🍹 But "Travel-Amarachi" will take that matcha 🍵, with the beautiful cafe to matcha! See what I did there? 😉 #thefunniestgirlinNigeria #MFGN👑

I only hike for love ❤️ and my Love can faint if he goes on a trip that doesn't include any bit of hiking. So here we are!

+1: I am also a big home buddy. If you catch me outside, I must really love you! But Travel-Amarachi can't stay put in the hotel!
_____________________________

Over to you! What are some ways travel-you differs from home-you? Let me know in the comment section below!

#travelinspiration #japantrip #travelwithapentojapan #travelwithapen
Travel Amarachi is VERY different from Home Amarachi! Am I living a fake life?😭😂 Because,my ideal day will start at 10 or 11am and end at 2am. I'm a night owl 🦉, not an early bird 🐦 - a complete opposite of who I become when I travel! Tea or Coffee? No, thanks! I'll take a glass of orange juice please! 🍹 But "Travel-Amarachi" will take that matcha 🍵, with the beautiful cafe to matcha! See what I did there? 😉 #thefunniestgirlinNigeria #MFGN👑 I only hike for love ❤️ and my Love can faint if he goes on a trip that doesn't include any bit of hiking. So here we are! +1: I am also a big home buddy. If you catch me outside, I must really love you! But Travel-Amarachi can't stay put in the hotel! _____________________________ Over to you! What are some ways travel-you differs from home-you? Let me know in the comment section below! #travelinspiration #japantrip #travelwithapentojapan #travelwithapen
1 week ago
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7/9
An absolutely wonderful time in the most stunning country! 😍😍

#japantrip2025🇯🇵🌸⛩️
An absolutely wonderful time in the most stunning country! 😍😍 #japantrip2025🇯🇵🌸⛩️
1 week ago
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8/9
Public holidays should be your best friend if you work full time and love to travel. Eid and Easter fall between the months of March and June.

If you plan out your vacation time properly, you can:

🌸: get 24 vacation days ✈️ by taking only 12 days off! 🤯. Perfect for your Asian odyssey or West African road trip from Nigeria to Cote D'Ivoire 🚌

You can also split this time, taking shorter breaks in addition to the public holidays.

Take 12 days off from March 31 to April 21 to get 24 vacation days (including weekend and public holidays)! 😀 

Mar 31 - Apr 01: Likely Eid Al Fitr
Apr 18 - Apr 21: Easter

Send this post to your manager immediately! 🚀
Public holidays should be your best friend if you work full time and love to travel. Eid and Easter fall between the months of March and June. If you plan out your vacation time properly, you can: 🌸: get 24 vacation days ✈️ by taking only 12 days off! 🤯. Perfect for your Asian odyssey or West African road trip from Nigeria to Cote D'Ivoire 🚌 You can also split this time, taking shorter breaks in addition to the public holidays. Take 12 days off from March 31 to April 21 to get 24 vacation days (including weekend and public holidays)! 😀 Mar 31 - Apr 01: Likely Eid Al Fitr Apr 18 - Apr 21: Easter Send this post to your manager immediately! 🚀
1 month ago
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