Nigeria boasts a diverse landscape, ranging from tropical rainforests and mangrove swamps to a complex river system draining into the Gulf of Guinea. Recognizing the importance of preserving the nation's unique biodiversity and natural heritage, the Nigerian government has established several national parks.
The concept and development of national parks has its origins in the United States of America where the United States Congress declared Yellow Stone as a national park, the first of its kind, in 1872. Despite the frequent reference to national parks in daily affairs in the country, many Nigerians know little about the existence and roles of national parks in the country or the objectives for which they were established.
The National Park Service of Nigeria was established by Decree 36 in 1991 with five national parks. These were Gashaka Gumti, Kainji Lake, Cross River, Old Oyo and Chad Basin National Parks. In 1992, Yankari Game Reserve was converted to a national park, bringing the total to six national parks. With the promulgation of Decree 46 of 1999, now Act 46 (Cap 65 LFN 2004), in 1999 two additional national parks; Kamuku and Okomu were established.
These parks play a crucial role in ecological processes, protect indigenous genetic resources, and offer spectacular sceneries for nature enthusiasts.
Administratively, however, the Conservator-General is the Chief Executive Officer of the Park Service and administers on day to day basis the affairs of the National Park Service. There is a 14-member Governing Board led by a Chairman, and is responsible for determining the policy direction of the Service.
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Here are some of the notable national parks in Nigeria:
The seven National Parks which span across the various ecological zones of Nigeria (with the exception of the marine ecosystem) are some of the few remaining natural ecosystems capable of enhancing ecological processes and life support systems. Each of them has its own unique attributes in terms of biophysical and anthropogenic resources to offer to visitors. They cover a total land area of approximately 20,156 sq. km, i.e. about three percent (3%) of the country total land area (i.e.
Yankari National Park
One of the most notable national parks in Nigeria is Yankari National Park, which was officially established in 1991. Yankari game reserve covers 2, 058sq km of dense rainforests and savannah woodlands and is one of the best wildlife reserves and habitats in Nigeria.
Some of the wildlife in this reserve includes hippos, bushbuck, buffalo, crocodiles, lion, elephants and more than 200 different species of birds. Game viewing in this park is best during the months of November to May.
Other attractions in Yankari include the Wikki warm springs.
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Eye Witness: Exploring Yankari Game Reserve & Sumu Wildlife Park Pt 2
Wikki Warm Spring in Yankari National Park
Gashaka-Gumti National Park
Another significant addition to Nigeria's national park system is Gashaka-Gumti National Park, also established in 1991. This vast park, situated in the northeastern part of the country, is the largest national park in Nigeria and one of the largest in West Africa. Gashaka Gumti National Park is located in the northeastern part of Nigeria with an area of 6,731km2.
Geographically, the park lies between latitudes 6°55′ and 8°12′ N and longitudes11°11’and 12°13’E. The park is a transnational enclave as it shares boundaries with Faro National Park and Tchabbal Mbabo Conservation Area in Cameroun.
Gashaka-Gumti National Park is characterized by its rugged and picturesque landscapes, with high mountains, dense forests, and pristine rivers. Gashaka Gumti National Park has five distinct ecological zones ranging from Guinea Savanna, Sudan Savanna, and Lowland Rainforest to Montane Rainforest and Montane Grassland habitats.
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The formation of these vegetational zones is influenced by altitude, latitude and the north-south geographic spread of the park. The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including chimpanzees, elephants, leopards, and numerous bird species.
The park also harbours many endangered fauna species such as Giant Eland, Chimpanzee, Elephant, Lion, Golden cat, Leopard and Cheetah. Other faunas in the park are Red Riverhog, Yellow-backed Duiker, Mountain Reedbuck, Klipspringer, Western Hartebeest, Mongoose, Aardvaark, Buffalo, Hippopotamus, Hunting Dog etc.
As an important watershed for the lower Benue Basin the park has 55 species of fish among which are Tiger Fish, Large-scale Characin, Golden Barb, Sucker Fish, Niger Perch, Clarias, Silver Catfish, Sole Fish, Tilapia, Electric Fish etc.
From the southern part access is via Gboko-Katsina Ala-Takum-Serti or Ogoja-Katsina Ala-Takum-Serti. The closest airports are in Jalingo and Yola. There is also an unmanned airstrip for very light aircraft in Serti for chartered flights.
Best time to visit is December to June for easier accessibility and better visibility of wildlife and beautiful sceneries of the park.
The park has 20 chalets in Serti Tourist Camp, 10 in Toungo Base station and 20 in Gashaka village. There are several primitive camp sites dotted within the park, particularly around Mayo Kam, Jiman and Yakuba.
The park is littered with many archaeological/historical sites such as the Toungo iron smelting site, Dumti Lake and the old German and English forts.
Visitors are encouraged to have a taste of the local cuisine. Local markets abound in Yola, Jalingo, Serti, Ganye, Toungo, Nguroje, Ndaga, Goje, Karamti, Garbabi, Selbe, Gembu, and Bali.
Kamuku National Park
Kamuku National Park, established in 1991 as well, is another vital component of Nigeria's national park system. Kamuku Park located in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State of Nigeria in the north-central part of Nigeria. It is the closest Nigeria National Park to Abuja, the capital of Abuja.
Located in the northwest of the country, this park is known for its extensive woodlands and dry savannas. Kamuku National Park was initially by gazette of 1936, a Native Authority Forest Reserve under the defunct Northern Nigeria Government.
Kamuku National Park plays a crucial role in conserving the unique flora and fauna adapted to these arid environments. It is an important habitat for species such as antelopes, baboons, and diverse birdlife.
Kamuku National Park was established in 1999 and is located in Kaduna State with a land area of 1,121km2. The park is 15km or 40 minutes drive from the Park’s Head office in Birnin Gwari.
Western hartebeest is the star fauna species of the park. Other faunas include elephant, patas monkey, roan, bushbuck, reedbuck, baboon, duiker, oribi and warthog.
Kamuku National Park is open all year. The park has 18 chalets, restaurant, bar and Events Centre in Birnin Gwari. It equally has a primitive camp site for adventure tourists.
You can also shop in the local markets in Birnin Gwari.
Kainji Lake National Park
Kainji Lake, Nigeria’s first National Park, is located in the north central part of the country. Kainji National Park was established in 1976 and is the oldest in Nigeria. It includes Kainji Lake (a reservoir) which was formed by the building of the Kainji Dam in 1968.
Only the western sector of the national park (i.e. west of the lake) is currently open to visitors and the landscape here is mainly Sudan-Guinea Savanna.
Kainji Lake National Park was the first national park in Nigeria, established in 1979 by Decree 46. It is located in northwest central Nigeria between latitudes 9°45′ and 10o 23’N and latitudes 3° 41′ and 5° 47’E in Niger and Kwara states. The park is 500km from Lagos and 385km from Abuja, the Federal Capital.The park is characterized by undulating landforms, with a network of rolling hills, valleys and gentle flowing rivers that empty into River Niger. The park experiences the wet and dry season weather.
The wet season begins from late April-October while the dry season begins from November to early April with a short harmattan period between December and February.
Kainji Lake National Park is endowed with rich and diverse populations of wildlife and a variety of ethno-historic and cultural sites. The vegetation type is northern Guinea savanna comprising a mosaic of woodland savanna with patches of riparian forests along major river courses.
Its fauna species include Kob, Roan antelope, Hippopotamus, Duiker, Hartebeest, Lion, Hunting dog, Aardvark, Buffalo, Hyena, Baboon etc.
The closest airport is Ilorin Airport. Best time to visit is December to June for easy accessibility and better visibility of wildlife and beautiful sceneries of the park.
Visitor facilities are located in Oli Camp, Wawa, Kaiama and Ibbi. Oli Tourist Camp is equipped with a restaurant and bar, a 100 seater conference centre and 2 swimming pools. Other facilities include 52 chalets: 8 at Ibbi, 8 at Kaiama, 2 at Wawa and 34 at Oli camp.
Tourists can engage in wilderness treks, game viewing, bird watching, wildlife tracking and water recreation.
Experience the Gani festival, traditional wrestling, Takai dance etc.
Kainji Lake National Park
Okomu National Park
This Nigeria national park is found in Ovia south west area in Edo state on the banks of Okumu river. The park is one of the smallest of the Nigeria’s national park covering an area of just 200sq km including the former Okumu forest reserve. The park was first gazetted as a forest reserve in 1935 and evolved into a protected national park later in 1940.
Okomu National Park is located in Edo State and was upgraded to a national park in 1999. It lies between latitudes 6°.15’and 6°25’N and longitudes 5°9’and 5023’E. It is bounded in the west by the Okomu River and in the northeast and south by a series of transect lines.
Some of the fauna populations include the Short-snouted Crocodile, pygmy hippopotamus, White - throated Monkey, Forest Elephant, Forest Buffalo, Red River Hog, Yellow-backed Duiker, Red-capped Mangabey, Monitor Lizard etc. Over 200 bird species have been recorded in the Park.
The park is open all year, however the best time to visit is October to April during the dry season when the road condition and park visibility are favourable.
The park has 28 chalets, a restaurant which doubles as a mini conference centre, and a swimming pool, in Arakhuan Base Camp.
Tourists to Okomu National Park have a range of treats to savour from. Visitors to Okomu National Park can shop for souvenirs from the local markets of Udo and Iguobazuwa.
Cross River National Park
Cross River National Park is located in the southeastern corner of Nigeria’s border with the Republic of Cameroun. The Park lies within longitudes 5°05’and 6°29’N and latitudes 8°15’and 9°30’E. The park has two non-contiguous sectors: Oban and Okwangwo.
Cross River National Park is a biodiversity hotspot in Nigeria. As such it is home to many species of wild plants and animals. Animal species include Gorilla, Drill, Chimpanzee, Angwantibo or Golden Potto, Elephant, Buffalo, Leopard, Duiker, Bushbuck, Redriver Hog, Sitatunga, Hyrax, Hornbill, Redheaded Rockfowl and Butterflies among many others.
Thus, the Park is home to 199 mammal, 63 frog and toad, 20 reptile, 380 bird, 48 fish and 950 butterfly species.
The closest airports are in Calabar and Uyo. Cross River is famous for delicacies.
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