By Onyekachi Victoria Philip
La Campagne Tropicana has reportedly moved into a major new tourism development in Ekiti State, targeting the popular Arinta Waterfall at Ipole-Iloro for transformation into a new tourism destination.
Recall how the founder of La Campagne Tropicana, Ambassador Wanle Akinboboye, led a 14-member technical and investment delegation to Ekiti State barely few weeks ago , where the team inspected some of the state’s major tourism assets, including Arinta Waterfall and Ikogosi Warm Springs.
The visit was part of a broader investment conversation aimed at turning Ekiti’s natural attractions into commercially viable tourism destinations.
Arinta waterfalls Located in the quiet town of Ipole-Iloro, only a few kilometres from the famous Ikogosi Warm Springs, Arinta Waterfall is surrounded by thick tropical vegetation, green hills and striking rock formations, with its waters moving across multiple levels of quartzite boulders.
For years, the waterfall has remained one of Ekiti’s natural treasures with enormous tourism potential, but its profile has remained considerably smaller than its natural appeal.
The proposed Arinta Waterfall Resort is a pioneering agro-eco-tourism development, combining the natural attraction with hospitality, adventure, agriculture, wellness, entertainment and African cultural experiences.
Rather than simply developing facilities around the waterfall, the vision is to create an integrated destination where visitors can stay, eat, relax, explore, participate in outdoor activities and experience the surrounding environment.
The proposed development includes luxury chalets, spa and wellness facilities, adventure activities, agricultural experiences and a 250-capacity event hall, with Arinta Waterfall serving as the centrepiece.
The project is expected to target families, corporate organisations, domestic tourists, international visitors and members of the African diaspora seeking authentic African experiences.
The waterfall features before La Campagne Tropicana intervention include seven distinct levels flowing over smooth quartzite rock boulders, while the surrounding forest is characterised by giant ferns, thick vegetation and steep green hills.
The environment provides opportunities for hiking, mountain climbing, nature photography and picnicking.
For La Campagne Tropicana, however, the attraction appears to represent more than a scenic location.
It is being transformed into the foundation of an entire tourism economy.
The projected commercial structure for the destination includes daycation packages for visitors seeking short experiences at the waterfall, pool and activity areas.
Accommodation revenue is expected to come through chalet bookings, with capacity projected to expand as additional units become available.
The resort’s agricultural component is also expected to generate income through farming, crop production and agritourism.
Other proposed revenue streams include jetty and water-based services, restaurant and lounge operations, spa and wellness treatments, bar services, supermarket and retail sales, as well as African fashion and locally sourced crafts.
An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) has been conducted for the project in line with Nigerian regulatory requirements and international best-practice frameworks, including the IFC Performance Standards and Equator Principles.
The assessment is designed to identify and mitigate potential environmental and social risks while maximising positive outcomes for the ecosystem and host communities.
This is particularly important because the greatest attraction of Arinta is the environment itself.
The success of the development will therefore depend not only on how much infrastructure is introduced, but on how effectively tourism growth is balanced with the preservation of the waterfall, forest and surrounding landscape.
Also recall that during the July investment tour, Ekiti officials presented the state’s waterfalls, hills, caves, warm springs and historical sites as largely untapped tourism assets. Akinboboye, after inspecting the sites, stated that attractions alone do not generate wealth until they are transformed into destinations.
The long-term ambition extends beyond attracting visitors from within Ekiti or Nigeria.
The project is being positioned to attract Africans, international tourists and lovers of African culture and nature from the diaspora.
That could give Arinta a new identity within Nigeria’s tourism industry,a destination where natural adventure meets African hospitality, agriculture, wellness, fashion, food and culture.
And it could also create opportunities for surrounding communities through employment, local sourcing, agricultural activities, tourism services and the sale of indigenous products.