Elephants at Yankari National Park

Entry gate

Yankari Game Reserve (formerly Yankari National Park) a large wildlife reserve in Nigeria, covering an area of about 2,244 km² (866 sq mi) and is home to several natural warm water springs, as well as a wide variety of flora and fauna. The park is home to the largest surviving elephants in Nigeria and has different animals from antelopes, lions, hyenas, leopards, crocodiles. It is in Bauchi State in North Central Nigeria.

Understand

Yankari was created as a game reserve in 1956, but later designated Nigeria’s biggest national park in 1991. In 2006 it lost its national park status.

Its location in the heartland of the West African savanna makes it a unique way for tourists to watch wildlife in its natural habitat.

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.

History

It was the first game reserve to be opened to the public in 1956. It was turned into a national park in 1991, before losing that status in 2006. Yankari is a popular tourist destination in the country and it is rapidly growing in popularity.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Yankari Game Reserve where you get to see the wide range of animals and have the full Yankari experience is during the dry season (between October and May)

Landscape

The reserve is found in the Sudan Savannah's southern region. It is made up of savannah grassland interspersed with well-developed patches of woodland. It is also a region of rolling hills, mostly between 200 and 400 m in elevation. Kariyo Hill, at 640 m (2,100 ft), is the highest point. Yankari Game Reserve also has four warm water springs as a result of underground geothermal activity.

Flora and fauna

The park is an important refuge for over 50 species of mammal including African Bush Elephant, Olive Baboon, African Buffalo and Hippopotamus. There are also over 350 species of bird found in the Park.

Yankari is recognized as having one of the largest populations of elephants in West Africa, estimated at more than 300 in 2005. The growth of the elephant population has become a problem for surrounding villages at times as the animals enter local farms during the rainy season.

Climate

Bauchi state has a wet season and a dry season, and it is hot all year. Throughout the year, the temperature typically ranges from 57 °F (14 °C) to 100 °F (38 °C), with temperatures rarely falling below 51°F or rising above 104°F.

Get in

By bus

The park is normally approached from the city of Bauchi, and it is about a five hour bus ride from there. In addition, several bus companies like God Is Good Motors (GIGM), ABC Transport,The Young Shall Grow offer daily services from almost all major cities around the country to Bauchi State. While buses usually are quite comfortable, journey times are very long.

When you arrive in Bauchi, A connecting vehicle will be needed to get into Yankari Game Reserve. It costs about ₦5,000 for a chartered vehicle to the reserve. The distance between Bauchi to Yankari is 110 km which is about an hour by road. The entrance gate is located in Mainamaji Village, 69 km from Bauchi, and from the reserve entrance, you drive 43 km to Wikki Camp.

By plane

There’s a direct flight from Lagos and Abuja to Bauchi State, from where you can get a bus to Yankari.

Fees

As of 2021:

• Child or students: ₦800
• Adult: ₦2000

Get around

Visitors and tourists to the nature park will get to view wildlife on foot. Guided tours and safari vehicles are also available. Private cars aren't allowed into the park. In addition, the rental car service of a Savana jeep (for touring) isn't offered at the park as of December 2021, but the service might be included in the near future.

See

Yankari Game Reserve has natural tourism sites and attractions such as:

• 1 Wikki Warm Springs. 24 hour. A simply beautiful place inside Yankari resort. The spring is clear a bit warm with a temperature that is constant great place for water games and swimming. (updated Jun 2021)
• Marshall caves
• Dukkey wells
• Anfara Iron Smelting Site

Do

As a tourist, there are a number of activities you can indulge in while at Yankari Game Reserve, such as:

• Visiting the Museum
• Having a warm swim in the Wikki Warm Spring
• Sightseeing the beautiful natural landscape
• Sports Game
• Go to the Dukkey wells, Marshall Caves, and Anfara Iron smelting site

Buy

There is mini-supermarket within the park to enable tourists buy basic day-to-day toiletries and materials needed during their stay, markets and stores can also be found in the community around Yankari Game Reserve located in Bauchi state.

Unless you are in a supermarket or restaurant/bar with fixed prices, you will be expected to negotiate the price you pay for an item down to the lowest the vendor would sell. Hawkers usually camp at a spot selling anything from fresh food items like tomatoes, fishes, vegetables, potatoes to drinks. Expect any high-end clothing and accessories brand names (Gucci, Versace, Louis Vuitton, etc.) in these informal markets to be fake, and should you wish to purchase them aim for a very low price. Shopping at the local market is usually done with cash as they don't have POS machine for cashless transactions, supermarkets, restaurant/bar accepts cashless transaction such as POS and money transfer.

If you hold a Visa, MasterCard credit/debit card you can withdraw cash in Naira from various ATMs around Bauchi state. Most banks' ATMs accept both Visa and Mastercards.

Foreign currencies such as U.S. dollars, pounds sterling, or euros are best exchanged in Lagos before heading down to Bauchi state, but for safety, foreign currencies can also be exchanged at banks located in Bauchi state. In Lagos, there are various places for foreign currency exchange usually located near large hotels and the airport. These are not formal bureaux de change and you will need to negotiate the exchange rate. It is strongly recommended that you count your money in front of the exchanger, and don't be afraid to walk away if you are not happy with the deal. Be wary of your safety in money-changing areas, and take care to make sure you are not followed when leaving them.

There are formal bureaux de change in the various banks that can be found both in Lagos and Borno state, and you can rest assured about transacting with them, although their rates may be slightly higher or lower than the rates outside.

Local markets

Local markets in Bauchi state are; Livestock market, Alkaleri Market, Digare Market, Gaji Market, Muda Lawal Market, Rukuba market, Sabon Kasuwa Market, Wunti Market

Supermarkets

For a more cosmopolitan experience you can shop at various supermarket and stores:

• 1 MRS Super Market, Jos Road. Daily 8AM-9PM. A store where you can shop for varieties of products and groceries. (updated Dec 2021)
• 2 City Stores Supermarket Bauchi, Old Musaba, Jahun Road, ☏ +234 7068817608. M-Sa 8AM-10PM. A wide selection of grocery items, body care products, washing items and lots more. (updated Dec 2021)
• 3 SMART Bakery, ☏ +234 08127938734. M-Sa 8AM-9PM. Snacks and grocery. (updated Dec 2021)

Eat

The Reserve has a restaurant that caters to the diet needs of tourists. The Restaurants offer both local and international dishes. Tourists can either decide to eat at the indoor restaurant or eat in their rooms. Feeding varies from ₦1,000 per meal and more for a banquet.

Drink

The reserve also has a bar that caters to the drinks needs of tourists.

Sleep

There are accommodations made available within Yankari Game Reserve.

• 1 Wikki Hotel, Yankari Game Reserve, Bauchi, ☏ +234 902 733 2226, info@yankarigamereserve.com.ng. ₦1,800 a night per bed for students to ₦236,000 for a corporate villa. (updated Dec 2021)
• Wikki Camp. The tourist centre of the park, about 42 km from the main entrance gate beside the Wikki warm spring. There are 110 furnished chalets with varying size and quality, ranging from suites to a youth hostel, all of which are being upgraded in phases. The camp also has a restaurant and bar. 

Stay safe

Beware of deals or businesses that sound too good to be true (especially e-mails soliciting your help), and do not openly flaunt your possessions, especially in public places.

While it is rare for a tourist to be a victim of a violent crime, it is still wise to stay safe and be alert, especially during late-night outings. Stick to crowded streets and make sure to go out in groups as against going out alone.

In addition, don't be scared when you are suddenly approached by someone begging you for money when touring the community, Bauchi state has its fair share of street beggars (both the old and young). If someone approaches Nigerians or tourists for money, you can decide if you want to slip a little change or not give anything at all, they are not entitled to your money, what most of them do is ignore the person or continue to walk at a brisk pace.

Large numbers of Fulani migrate to the region each year in search of grazing resources and frequently graze their cattle inside the reserve - displacing wildlife, be sure to keep save if this activity is taking place during your visit there.

There are police officers who are corrupt and inefficient so you should stick to places and people you know and avoid going anywhere without a trusted guide if it is the first visit.

Go next

Places you can visit when you leave the park

• Gongola River
• Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium
• Unity Park
• Emir's Palace
• Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University