Yankari Game Reserve, the peaceful hometown of Nigeria’s wildlife

From the sight of each quivering leaf to the feel of every water droplets, Nigeria prides herself as a home of nature’s beauty.
And should we open ourselves for once to see with the eyes of our mind, we will be amazed by the boundless beauty that surrounds us.

Yankari Game Reserve is a large wildlife park located in the south-central part of Bauchi State, Nigeria. It covers an area of about 2,244 square kilometres (866 sq mi) and is home to several natural warm water springs, as well as a wide variety of flora and fauna.

The reserve is also a vast village to animals such as primates, waterbucks, bushbucks, oribi, crocodiles, hippopotamus, roan gazelle, wild ox and countless species of monkeys.


Unarguably one of the country's richest reserve, Yankari Game Reserve also contains one of the largest surviving elephant population in West Africa.

Estimated at 350 individuals, this population of elephants is perhaps the only viable population remaining in Nigeria.

The reserve also contain important populations of lion, buffalo, hippo, roan and hartebeest.

Protected by a ranger force of around eighty in number, Yankari Game Reserve stands out as one of the most popular tourist destination in Nigeria.

When is the best time to visit Yankari Game Reserve?

Though the reserve host visitors all year round, but November to May are considered the best time to visit. Because this is when more amusement would be experience since the vegetation has dried out and animals begin to parade the waterways.

Another interesting feature of the reserve is the Wikki Warm Spring, which is great spot to unwind and cool oneself.

Of course, this area is a no-go area for animals; and it is definitely safe for visitors. Except a variety of winged creatures, offering their benediction from the sky.

Hotel around Yankari Game Reserve
The Yankari Game Reserve and Resort has rooms that come in the categories of Student Hostel, Studio Suite, Luxury Double, VIP, Corporate Villa, and the Marshall Suite.

Their prizes ranges from ?2,500, to ?23,600.

Interestingly, these rooms come with awesome facilities such as: king-size beds, telephones, bedside drawers, private bathrooms with state-of-the-art bathtubs, flat screen television sets with access to a wide variety of TV Channels, plus free wireless internet access.