Nigeria

Nigeria Resorts and National Parks

Yankari Game Reserver
Yankari National Park is the leading game reserve in Nigeria. Yankari Park and Wikki Warm Springs are to be found around the Gagi River, approximately 1.5 hours by road, southeast of Bauchi Town. The beauty and size of The Yankari Game Reserve makes it one of the most visited reserve in Nigeria. It was set up in 1956 and opened to the public in 1962. The reserve is open all year round. Tourists from all over the world visit this park in droves. The reserve covers 2,058 sq. km. of savanna woodland and is well-stocked with baboons, elephants, waterbucks, bushbucks, oribis, roan antelopes, crocodiles, hippopotamus’, buffalos and various types of monkeys. Lions can be spotted as too. The best time to visit is between November and May, when one is likely to see more game since the dense vegetation usually has dried out and the animals assemble around the rivers.

The Wikki Warm Springs is one of the best features of the game reserve. At night it is Flood-lit, and it is wonderful after a hot day to relax in the warm water. The spring gushes out from under a cliff, where the water is at least 6 ft. deep, with a bathing spot that extends for 600 ft. in an open area. The park is inhabited by a variety of birds, including the huge saddlebill stork, golliath heron, bateleur eagle, vultures, kingflshers, bee-eaters and more. It is a must-see for all bird-watchers.

Mambilla Plateau
The Mambilla Plateau is in the southeast corner of Taraba State and shares a border with Cameroon. It is a high grassland plateau averaging about 1800 meters. It is a welcome relieve from the heat and humidity of Lagos and hence enjoys frequent visits. The roads are not very good and a sport utility vehicle or 4WD is recommended. Visitors should pack personal essentials, camping equipment and food. There are a few hotels on the plateau.

The Park is a tourist attraction well worth a visit. Mambilla has tea plantations, cattle ranches and rolling, grassy hills. It is different from the rest of Nigeria with regard to flora and fauna and is home to some rare species of birds and animals, especially at the Gashaka-Gumti National Park.