National Parks in Nigeria That You Should Know

Nigeria’s geographical location is as diverse as the people who live in it. The country which is wide and varied has tropical rain forests, highlands, islands and deserts in it.

Here are the national parks and nature reserves Nigeria’s various regions have to offer. All of them are a sight to behold and fun to visit.

Old Oyo National Park: This National Park is abundant in landmass and has a diverse range of wildlife, which includes elephants, buffalo and a wide variety of birds, it also has a rich cultural and historical background emanating from the Old Oyo Empire. It opens from Sun-Sat and is located at Iseyin – Oyo Road, Isokun, Oyo State.

The Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve: The Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve in Taraba State is home to a population of the endangered Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee. It is home to 158 bird species and has been classified as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area by BirdLife International.

Lekki Conservation Centre: This Conservation Centre is an urban park, literally a jungle within a bustling city. The park boasts of the longest canopy walkway in Africa and is home to animals such as monkeys, crocodiles, snakes and different species of birds. The park is especially suitable for bird watching. It opens on Sunday to Saturday from 8:30AM-5PM. It is located at 19 Lekki – Epe Expressway, Lekki Penninsula II, Lekki, Lagos.

IITA Forest Reserve: This botanical garden hosts many species of migratory and resident birds. It also has more than 200 butterfly species and over 440 species of botanical plants, most of which are believed to hold medicinal qualities. The reserve is a great spot for tourists and biologists interested in wetlands wildlife. It is located in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Cross River National Park: This Park is home to the endangered Cross River gorilla and other animals such as chimpanzees, drills, baboons, leopards and forest elephants, The park has been referred to as the ‘African Amazon’ and it has the densest rainforest in the country, with more than 350 bird species found in the park. The Agbokim and Qua waterfalls are a must-see for nature lovers. You can find the Cross River National Park on Ikom – Abanliko Road, Basua, Cross River.

Yankari National Park: This National Park on Ahmadu Bello Way in Bauchi is the most distinct spot in Nigeria and is a delight to any wildlife enthusiast. It has the largest-surviving elephant population in the country and it also supports the endangered West African Lion.

Gashaka Gumti National Park: The Gashaka-Gumti National Park is named for the two villages in which the park is located. The park has the ‘bat forest’, which is called that because of the large number of fruit bats that roost there during different times of the year. You can also horse ride and go sport fishing in the park’s numerous rivers that are well stocked with fishes.

Jos Wildlife Park: This Wildlife Park is one of the largest manmade wildlife sanctuaries and was established in 1972. It is home to animals such as monkeys, elephants and lions. The park continually sustains its animal population through exchange programs with other zoos.

Kainji Lake National Park: This Park is located between the states of Niger and Kwara and was established in 1976. It is home to monkeys, lions, pythons, the Nile crocodile, leopards, and hyenas. It is opened Mondays to Friday from the hours of 08:00 till 16:00.

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