Welcome! It's Honeymoon spots & Places of Interest in Nigeria with Yspot!

Today we are headed for the North Eastern part of Nigeria and our destination is the Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi state. We won’t be long ok. We intend showing you how loaded the reserve is and hope fully convince you to head there for a visit. So here we go!

Yankari which is called Nigeria’s Garden of Eden is arguably, Nigeria’s most popular tourism enclave, and its naturally warm and crystal clear Wikki Warm Springs adds a bit of a “magical touch”.

I have been to Yankari on two occasions and I must tell  you it was an experience. The chalets are quite cute, the baboons very friendly, and they come close enough so as to steal your bread or whatever food you have in your chalet. 

I went with my course mates for the safari and our lecturer made us come down and walk to the lion’s caves. 

We were told they leave the caves in the mornings and return at night. My heart was in my mouth the whole time till we got back to the truck……sign of relief. I thought to myself what if the lions came back to pick something from their caves and found us……….lol. Thank God for keeping them away. It was fun even though it was part of my course work. School should be spiced up with such fun, you know, people will pass much better...lol

The Natural water spring at the Yankari Game reserve is something else. It made me marvel at the greatness of God. It’s constantly warm, never cold. It has a constant temperature of 31 degrees. 

Read on……. You might just decide to make it down to Yankari for your honeymoon, vacation or a hang out with some friends.

Yankari National Park is a large wildlife park located in the south-central part of Bauchi State, in northeastern Nigeria. It covers an area of about 2,244 km² (870 mi²) and is home to several natural warm water springs, as well as a wide variety of flora and fauna. Its location in the heartland of the West African savanna makes it a unique way for tourists and holidaymakers to watch wildlife in its natural habitat.

Yankari was first opened to the public as a premier game reserve on 1 December 1962. It was designated as Nigeria’s biggest national park in 1991. It is the most popular destination for tourists in Nigeria and, as such, plays a crucial role in the development and promotion of tourism and ecotourism in Nigeria. It is also one of the most popular eco-destinations in West Africa.

In 2000, Yankari National Park hosted over 20,000 tourists from over 100 countries. This makes it the most popular tourist destination in Nigeria and, if properly managed, it could become a significant part in the development and promotion of tourism throughout Nigeria. It is one of a few remaining areas left in West Africa where wild animals are protected in their natural habitat.

Yankari has rich wildlife resources. The park is an important refuge for over 50 species of mammal including African Bush Elephant, Olive Baboon, Patas Monkey, Tantalus Monkey, Roan Antelope, Western Hartebeest, Lion, African Buffalo, Waterbuck, Bushbuck and Hippopotamus. It also has a large and diverse freshwater ecosystem around its freshwater springs and the Raji River.

There are also over 350 species of bird found in the Park. Of these, 130 are resident, 50 are Palearctic migrants and the rest are intra-African migrants that move locally within Nigeria. These birds include the Saddle-billed Stork, White-rumped Vulture, Guinea fowl, Grey hornbill, and the Cattle Egret.

Yankari is recognized as having one of the largest populations of elephants in West Africa, estimated at more than 300 in 2005. The growth of the elephant population has become a problem for surrounding villages at times as the animals enter local farms during the rainy season. The elephants have also stripped the park of many of its baobab trees. More than 330 species of birds have been recorded in the park.

In addition to the wildlife, there are several crystal-clear and infection-free natural warm springs at Yankari, most prominent of which is the Wikki Warm springs. The Wikki Warm Spring is very popular amongst visitors, and is a good place to relax after a long safari.

 

Wikki Warm Spring a famous attraction in the Yankari Game Reserve is particularly prized for its warm water. It is available for both night and day for tourists who cherish swimming. Wikki Warm spring, which has a constant temperature of 31 degrees all year round.

 

The spring gushes water out from underneath a limestone escapement surrounded by vegetation that boosts the ecology of the warm spring. Wow.... a pleasurable trip I must say.

It's a place you must visit and do ensure you go for the safari pleaseeeee, it’s fun. By the way ensure you stay in the truck……wink. Good news! The standard of the Reserve is being upgraded to world-class status. It should be a lot better than the last time I was there. Think about it! Yspot! crew what do you guys think- Christmas or Easter break?  * winkk.....lol.

I remain yspot!