The dry season timetable, explained.
Why the Ogun River Express runs fifteen minutes longer from January to March. Example article for this demo.
Low water at Isheri
Between January and March the Ogun River falls by more than a metre below Obafemi Owode. The channel past the Isheri sandbanks narrows, shifts a little every week and in places is no deeper than a person is tall.
Our Ogun Star catamarans draw very little water, which is why we chose them, but at low water the captains slow right down through the bends and follow the channel markers our crew put out each Monday.
Fifteen minutes, three boats
- Longer journeyLafenwa to Ikorodu takes about 175 minutes instead of 160.
- Earlier first boatThe 06:00 departure moves to 05:45 so commuters still arrive before nine.
- One fewer weekend sailingThe Sunday afternoon boat is paused until the rains return.
“The river tells you what it wants. In February it wants you to slow down.”
Do fares change in the dry season?
No. The fare is the same all year.
Will you text me about changes?
Yes. Everyone with a booking gets an SMS when the dry season timetable starts and ends.
Is it safe at low water?
Yes. We slow down, follow the marked channel and never sail the river after dark.
A wedding on Oyan Lake
Eighty guests, one boat and the dam wall at sunset.