Yankari game reserve is one of the most famous tourist attractions and eco destinations in Nigeria and West Africa at large. Located in Bauchi state, Northern Nigeria, the Yankari National park was first opened in 1962 as a game reserve before being converted to a National park in the year 1991. The National covers a space of about 2,244 square meters. Notable for its wildlife, archeological sites and distinct eco system, the Yankari game reserve is home to animals like, elephants, baboons, antelopes, lions, Tantula monkeys, Bushbuck and lots more.
Brief history
The open country and villages that surround Yankari National Park are populated by farmers and herders, but there has been no human settlement in the park for over a century. There is, however, evidence of earlier human habitation in the park, including old iron smelting sites and caves.
In 1934, the Northern Regional Committee made a recommendation to the Executive Council to establish a pilot game reserve in the Bauchi Emirate. This was supported by Alhaji Muhammadu Ngeleruma, a minister in the former northern Nigeria Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Around this time, he had been impressed by a visit to a Sudanese game reserve while on a trip to East Africa. On returning, he encouraged the moves to establish something similar in Nigeria.- Yankari national park website.
Did you know?
In the year 2000, the Yankari game reserve hosted 20,000 tourists from over 100 countries-Wikipedia facts
The Yankari game reserve is also home to several warm water springs, the largest being the wiki spring, which is about 13.0 metres wide and 1.9 metres deep and a temperature of 31.1 degrees all year round.
The Wiki camp in the national park is named after the spring of the same name. The camp has about 100 accommodation spaces, varying from different sizes and qualities. A museum is also located within the camp area.
