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Osun River

The Osun River is part of the ritual landscape of Osun-Osogbo, winding among shrines and places of worship associated with Ọ̀ṣun and other Yoruba deities. The cited travel warnings advise postponing leisure trips to the area for now.

Shaded path through vegetation and a shrine in the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove.
Photo by Tosin Odunfa Source: Wikimedia Commons Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0
The place

What makes it special

  • The river shapes a landscape of shrines, sculptures and ceremonial spaces.
  • Its waters hold religious significance for devotees.
  • Living religious practices at the site remain connected to the river.
Monumental sculpture surrounded by forest in the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove.
Photo by Auskid1215 Source: Wikimedia Commons Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0
Osun River among riparian vegetation inside the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove.
Photo by Oloyedejuwonlo Source: Wikimedia Commons Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0
Travel atlas

Articles in Osun River

Guides to this place

2 articles

Osun River

journal.travel Editorial

Guides to this place

2 related guides

Forest and footbridge beside the river in Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove.

Travel to Osun-Osogbo should wait while Nigeria advisories remain

The sacred Osun-Osogbo Grove preserves Yoruba rituals, sculptures and memory. For now, the responsible choice is to postpone a tourist visit.

Read guide →
Shaded path through vegetation and a shrine in the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove.

Osun-Osogbo and the Sacred Forest Outside Festival Season

The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove brings together a river, shrines and contemporary sculptures on the outskirts of Osogbo. The key decision is to visit on an ordinary day, with a site guide and a realistic safety plan.

Read guide →
Information in context

Sources and references

This profile summarises our destination guides. Their research sources and the geographical reference are listed below.

Profile updated: 28/09/2026