"Nigeria's National Parks Detailed, Illustrated with a Comprehensive Map"
Adventure-seekers, nature lovers, and wildlife enthusiasts, listen up! Nigeria's national parks are brimming with exciting opportunities and breathtaking sights for all types of adventurers. Here's a rundown of the amazing national parks that make up this African gem:
The Incredible National Parks of Nigeria: 2025
📍 Yankari National Park
Location: Bauchi State
Key Features: A premier destination, Yankari boasts a remarkable population of elephants, making it one of the most notable spots in West Africa. Don't miss the Wikki Warm Springs, a natural spectacle that's bound to leave you amazed.
Best for: Wildlife viewing and hot spring exploration.
📍 Old Oyo National Park
Location: Crossing Oyo and Kwara states
Key Features: Rich in charm and wildlife, this park features stunning rivers, caves, and an abundance of bird species, as well as bushbuck antelopes and buffalos.
Best for: Cave exploration, birdwatching, and wildlife spotting.
📍 Okomu Forest Reserve
Location: Edo State
Key Features: This reserve offers a dense forest teeming with an assortment of wildlife, including monkeys and various bird species.
Best for: Trekking through the forest, birdwatching, and spotting forest animals.
📍 Kamuku National Park
Location: Kaduna State
Key Features: A delightful fusion of savanna and forest landscapes, Kamuku showcases a wealth of wildlife and ecosystems.
Best for: Wildlife viewing and exploring diverse ecosystems.
📍 Kainji Lake National Park
Location: Niger and Kwara states
Key Features: This incredible park encompasses a game reserve and a lake, providing an exceptional habitat for aquatic life.
Best for: Boat tours on Kainji Lake, fishing, and wildlife spotting.
📍 Cross River National Park
Location: Cross River State
Key Features: Home to Nigeria's largest rainforest, this park boasts exceptional biodiversity and incredible animals, like chimpanzees.
Best for: Rainforest trekking, birdwatching, and chimpanzee spotting.
📍 Gashaka Gumti National Park
Location: Between Adamawa and Taraba states
Key Features: Explore the beauty of Chappal Waddi, Nigeria's highest peak, and its diverse wildlife in this breathtaking park.
Best for: Hiking, mountain climbing, and wildlife viewing.
📍 Chad Basin National Park
Location: Borno and Yobe states
Key Features: Savor the Sambisa game reserve and the Hadejia-Nguru wetlands, housing over 377 bird species.
Best for: Birdwatching, exploring the wetlands, and wildlife spotting.
Oba Hills National Park, a lesser-known treasure, offers off-the-beaten-path adventure opportunities with its rocky hills, thick forests, and savannah vegetation.
How to Experience It
Visit between November and April to make the most of your adventure, as the dry season offers better accessibility to the parks. Accessible from major cities in Osun State, especially Osogbo, this hidden gem awaits those eager to explore its natural wonders.
While you're exploring Nigeria's breathtaking national parks, don't forget to take in the rich tapestry of wildlife, incredible landscapes, and unique cultural sites. These parks are more than just a wildlife safari - they're an adventure that promises memories to last a lifetime.
- Adventure-seekers, nature lovers, and wildlife enthusiasts should consider visiting Nigeria's national parks for unforgettable experiences.
- Yankari National Park, nestled in Bauchi State, is a premier destination, famous for its remarkable population of elephants and the awe-inspiring Wikki Warm Springs.
- Old Oyo National Park, spanning Oyo and Kwara states, offers stunning rivers, caves, diverse bird species, bushbuck antelopes, and buffalos for exploration.
- The Okomu Forest Reserve in Edo State promises a dense forest teeming with a variety of wildlife, monkeys, and an array of bird species.
- Kamuku National Park in Kaduna State showcases a stunning blend of savanna and forest landscapes, offering a wealth of wildlife and ecosystems for discovery.
- Kainji Lake National Park, found in Niger and Kwara states, provides an exceptional habitat for aquatic life, including boat tours, fishing, and wildlife spotting.
- Cross River National Park, located in Cross River State, homes Nigeria's largest rainforest, exceptional biodiversity, and chimpanzees for rainforest trekking, birdwatching, and chimpanzee spotting.
- Gashaka Gumti National Park, between Adamawa and Taraba states, invites adventurers to explore Chappal Waddi, Nigeria's highest peak, and its diverse wildlife.
- Chad Basin National Park, covering Borno and Yobe states, invites visitors to savor the Sambisa game reserve and the Hadejia-Nguru wetlands, home to over 377 bird species.
- Oba Hills National Park, less known but equally enchanting, offers off-the-beaten-path adventure opportunities with its rocky hills, thick forests, and savannah vegetation.
- Visit between November and April for optimal exploration and better accessibility to the parks during the dry season.
- Access Nigeria's national parks from major cities in Osun State, particularly Osogbo, for a hidden gem full of natural wonders.
- The national parks are not just wildlife safaris - they are adventure-filled journeys offering lifelong memories, rich tapestries of wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and unique cultural sites.
