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On Saturday 2nd May 2026, the Jos Wildlife Park hosted a pilot edition of The Honeybee Experience, invitees were immersed in the fascinating world of bees. 10 Exclusive attendees took part in the multi-station tour exploring the economic, ecological and cultural value of honeybees. This rich ecotourism campaign combines nature (bees and wildlife), education, agriculture, and local culture to promote awareness and encourage sustainability.
This initiative is facilitated by Afrobees9ja and Apis Interactive Network Ltd., in partnership with Bloom Niche Prime Ventures, under the auspices of the ongoing IDEAS TVET Beekeeping Training Programme, at Jos Wildlife Park.
Opening: The Honey Bar
The Honeybee Experience opened to special guests with a curated honey tasting titled, “The Honey Bar” where participants sampled seven (7) varieties of pure Nigerian honey sourced from flowering plants such as eucalyptus, sunflower, oil palm, acacia, citrus, locust bean, and shea butter.
The “Honey bar” was the visitor’s first stop, introducing them to a variety of distinct honey flavours. Young apiculturists in training guided guests through the honey bar, sharing facts about the traceability of the honey samples displayed, the botanical origins, flavour profiles and the unique properties associated with each.
Storytelling and Bee Trivia Engage Guests
In the museum conference room, participants engaged in trivia sessions that sparked curiosity and lively discussion, before proceeding to a documentary screening on bees and honey production, which highlighted the ecological importance of bees to human livelihoods and the broader ecosystem. The session continued with live quizzes, where participants deepened their understanding of bee communication, colony organisation, and the critical role of bees in global food production.
As a follow-up to honey tasting, this segment captures the essence of the Honeybee Experience while offering a deeper understanding of its lasting impact.
Live Hive Observation
One of the major highlights of the event was the hive observation, where participants wore protective veils to view a live bee colony through a transparent exhibition hive.
During the session, a guide identified the queen bee, worker bees, and drones while explaining their distinct roles within the colony structure.
Several attendees describe hive observation as their first close interaction with live bees. “I came in nervous, but I left fascinated,” a guest said after the demonstration. This moment during hive observation echoed the storytelling segment, reinforcing comprehension.
Honey-Based Cuisine
Local dishes prepared with honey were served at the Park Café. Menu offerings include masa with honey, awara glazed with honey, couscous served with honey gravy, unsweetened cakes paired with honey varieties, and beverages – honey cider and honey mead wine.
One of the anchors said the honey-cuisine demonstrates the versatility of honey in food culture and hospitality.
Honeybee Product Exhibition
During the exhibition, a demonstration of bee venom therapy thrilled volunteers who received controlled bee stings under supervision. They also explored various honeybee products including comb honey, beeswax, bee pollen and propolis, alongside beeswax-based cosmetics such as hair cream and body ointment.
The anchor of the exhibition mentioned that bee venom therapy is an ancient practice attracting growing scientific interest for its potential therapeutic applications. Bee venom contains melittin, a compound currently under scientific study for its potential anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, including research into conditions such as arthritis and certain cancer types.
The exhibition highlights the potential of honeybee-derived products beyond nutrition and local dishes. It reveals a growing interest in apiculture innovations and their contributions to health, wellness, and sustainable development.
Tourism Booster
The Honeybee Experience amplifies ongoing efforts to position Plateau State as a tourist destination for natural and cultural experiences. Observers note that the initiative combines agriculture, conservation, food culture, and tourism in a way that could attract both local and international visitors to Jos Wildlife Park.
Following the successful launch of the VIP pilot edition, guests, organisers, and beekeeping trainees expressed optimism about its potential to become a major addition to Plateau State’s growing ecotourism industry.
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