Yankari Game Reserve, Bauchi, NIGERIA
Yankari Game Reserve is located about 225km east of the Nigerian city of Jos and it covers an area of 2,244 sq km. Yankari Game Reserve has been described by the Lonely Planet Guide as holding about the only remnant of wildlife left in Nigeria.
Yankari National Park is a large wildlife park and is home to several natural warm water springs, as well as a wide variety of flora and fauna. Its location in the heartland of the West African savanna makes it a unique way for tourists and holidaymakers to watch wildlife in its natural habitat. Yankari was originally created as a game reserve in 1956, but later designated Nigeria’s biggest national park in 1991. It is the most popular destination for tourists in Nigeria and, as such, plays a crucial role in the development and promotion of tourism and ecotourism in Nigeria. It is also one of the most popular eco-destinations in West Africa.
The Wikki Warm Springs is another attraction to visitors. It is located near the park lodge and is about 200m long and 10m wide, containing crystal-clear water at a temperature of around 31 degrees Celsius.
With about 550 elephants, this park has the largest elephant population in West Africa. However, sighting the animals is not so easy, as the vegetation in the area is quite dense. The best time to view the animals is late February to late April.
Baboons and elephants often come down to the springs. Accommodation is available at a hotel at the warm springs. The other option is to stay in Bauchi, 117 km northwest of Yankari. Camping facilities are also available.
The park also has over 130 wells, all of which have interconnecting shafts sank. This settlement and the wells were once used as a resting place by the trans atlantic slave traders of the early times.
The park also has more than 59 caves located some 7km north east of Wikki camp. Other attractions are the hills, such as Kalban Hill – a flat top hill that gives tourists the opportunity to have a complete view of the park. Kanyo Hill provides a good view of the park and serves as a very beautiful picnic ground. Paliyaram Hill is a popular camp for poachers.
The Yankari Game Reserve covers about 2240 square kilometres of land, and is supervised by a team of rangers to protect the land and its wildlife. Unfortunately, even with the diligent efforts of the rangers to maintain the animal population, there is still the threat from poachers who have a hand in the illegal ivory trade.
Along with the elephants, which are one of the reserves most popular attractions, you can see some of these other creatures in their natural habitat:
- Baboons
- Hippos
- Buffalo
- Lions
- Hartebeest
- Roan
Sometimes, seeing the animals is difficult as they have mastered the art of remaining camouflaged within the dense vegetation, but if you perch down near a watering hole, they will eventually come.
Of course, each reserve comes with its own set of regulations, so make sure you're well versed on your do's and don'ts before leaving the ranger station.
Photo Credits: Nigerian Tourism Development Board, Yankari National Park, Google
Sources: Nigeria Tourism Development Board, Wikipedia, NorthSouthTravel
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