Yankari National Park is situated in Bauchi State in north-eastern Nigeria; Yankari Game Reserve is the country’s richest wildlife oasis and covers a total area of 2,244 km². Yankari contains the largest surviving elephant population in Nigeria, one of the largest remaining in West Africa. Estimated at 100-150 individuals, this population of elephants is perhaps the only viable population remaining in Nigeria. In addition, Yankari Game Reserve also supports an important population of the critically endangered West African lion (one of only four known populations that still survive) as well as buffalo, hippopotamus, roan, and hartebeest. Originally created as a game reserve in 1956, Yankari was upgraded to a national park in 1991 and managed by the National Parks Service until 2006 when responsibility for the management of the reserve was handed back to Bauchi State Government.

Size of Yankari National Park

It covers an area of about 2,244 square kilometers and is home to several natural warm water springs, as well as a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Location of Yankari National Park

Yankari National Park is a large wildlife park located in the south-central part of Bauchi State, in north-eastern Nigeria.

How to get to Yankari National Park

There is no direct connection from Lagos to Yankari National Park the closest and preferred airports from which to travel to Yankari are the Jos and Gombe airports. Gombe airport is 1 hour 40 minutes to Yankari. However, you can take the taxi to Jibowu Terminal, take the bus to Port Harcourt, take the walk to Port Harcourt, take the train to Bauchi, then take the taxi to Yankari National Park. Alternatively, you can take the drive to Yankari National Park from Abuja which is 340 km from the capital.

Things to do in Yankari National Park

Wikki warm spring which is really warm and gushes out from limestone rock and it’s one of the spectacular attractions in the park, game viewing rides in the park one in the morning and one in the afternoon which is usually splendid. In the morning you’re more likely to see gazelles, water and bushbucks, monkeys and some lion’s herds of elephants and buffalos and hippos, crocs and species of birds at the mouth of the river geji.

When to visit Yankari national park

The best time to have the full experience of Yankari is during the dry season with warmer temperatures, typically between March and April. This allows you to see a wider range of animals during the safari.

Where to stay at Yankari National Park

Wikki Camp is the tourist center of the Park located about 42 kilometers 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.