Yankari National Park - Nigeria (West Africa)

Yankari National Park is an extensive wildlife sanctuary, situated in the south-central part of Bauchi State, in North-Eastern Nigeria. The park covers an area of about 2,244 km² (870 ml²), embellished by numerous natural warm water springs, in addition to its spectacular assortment of flora and fauna. Established in 1991, Yankari is the largest national park in Nigeria, nestled in the very heart of the West African Savannah; rendering it an excellent venue for viewing animals in their natural habitat. It is also an area of undulating hills, mostly ranging between 200m and 400m; and culminating in the 640m high Kariyo Hill, the park’s highest altitude. The park remains the most frequented tourist destination in Nigeria; and on the whole, one of the most popular eco-destinations in West Africa. The Park’s main entrance is at Mainamaji village, about 29 km from Dindima.

Annual precipitation in the park measures between 900mm and 1,000mm. The rainy season spans May to September, with temperatures ranging between 18^OC and 35^OC. The hottest period generally occurs around the months of March and April, with daily temperatures sometimes rising above 40^OC; while night temperatures sometimes plummet as low as 12^OC.

In the dry season, larger animals in the park are most reliant on the Gaji River and its tributaries, as their source of drinking water. This river is the only watershed in the park, somewhat partitioning the wildlife sanctuary into two.

The wildlife to be viewed at Yankari National Park include African bush elephant, olive baboon, patas monkey, tantalus monkey, roan antelope, western hartebeest, lion, African buffalo, waterbuck, bushbuck and hippopotamus.

Yankari is known to harbour a stunning 350 species of birds; 130 of which are residents; 50 considered Palearctic migrants; and the rest deemed intra-African migrants, whose movements are restricted within the territorial boundaries of Nigeria.

Meaningful underground thermal activity at Yankari National Park has resulted in the presence of four warm water springs, comprising; Dimmil, Gwan, Nawulgo and Wikki; with the latter excelling in size and depth. Wikki spring is about 1.9m deep and 13m wide. The water of Wikki spring also maintains a constant temperature of 31.1 ^OC, both day and night; throughout the year.

Important geographical features in the park iclude Kalban Hill, Kariyo Hill, Paliyaram Hill and the Tonlong gorge.

The “Wikki Camp” is the principal accommodation area for visitors. Located about 42km (26ml) from the main entrance gate, the camp comprises 110 furnished chalets, which vary in size and quality; from the most pampering to least exclusive.