National park · Nigeria
Cross River National ParkCông viên quốc gia Cross River
Enter Cross River National Park for a day: pay the entry fee (≈ ₦5,000–₦10,000), drive 1 h from Calabar to Kanyang village, hike the Okwangwo trail (3 h) in the dry season, and stay in Calabar or Kanyang lodge.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
4,000 km² (1,544 sq mi)1,544 sq mi (4,000 km²)
approximate
Established
1991
Best months
—
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- West Africa ↗Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on any West African trip: several countries on the coast road demand it of every arrival, and the rest demand it after you have passed through a neighbour.
- West Africa ↗Cross land borders and drive between cities in daylight only; plan each crossing as a full travel day with cash for fees and passport copies for checkpoints.
- Nigeria ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the Nigeria Immigration Service or a Nigerian mission; most visitors need a visa arranged before travel.
- Nigeria ↗Governments advise against all or all but essential travel to a number of Nigerian states; check your own government's advice for each state on your route.
- Nigeria ↗Check the yellow-fever vaccination certificate rules for Nigeria before you fly; carry the certificate with your passport.
At a glance
- Country
- Nigeria
- Area
- 4,000 km² (1,544 sq mi)1,544 sq mi (4,000 km²)
- Park covers roughly 4,000 km² of primary moist rainforest and coastal mangroves; exact area varies by source.
- Established
- 1991
- Best months
- —
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Calabar
Cross River National Park in southeastern Nigeria protects extensive tropical rainforest, mangrove swamps and a rich assemblage of primates and other wildlife. The park is split into the Okwangwo (north) and Oban Hills (south) divisions, both accessed via Kanyang tourist village near Calabar.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1991.
Size and age
4,000 km² (1,544 sq mi)1,544 sq mi (4,000 km²) · national park since 1991
Park covers roughly 4,000 km² of primary moist rainforest and coastal mangroves; exact area varies by source.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Calabar.
Why go
- Primary moist rainforest with high biodiversity, especially primates.
- Guided wildlife viewing, birdwatching and forest hikes.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry season, cooler temps
- FebDry, good trails
- MarTransition to wet, still walkable
- AprIncreasing rains
- MayWet, trails muddy
- JunPeak wet season
- JulHeavy rains
- AugHeavy rains
- SepRain tapering
- OctDry spells return
- NovDry, comfortable
- DecDry, cool
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria‑Cameroon chimpanzee, drill monkey, western gorillaAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Forest birds, butterfliesMar–Aug | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Calabar
Hire a car or take a taxi to Kanyang village (≈ 1 h, 60 km (37 mi))Hire a car or take a taxi to Kanyang village (≈ 1 h, 37 mi (60 km))
1–1.5 h
Open the page →
From Ikom
Drive to Okwangwo division gate (≈ 2 h)
2 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Kanyang tourist village | Gate, lodge, restaurant, museum, trailhead for Okwangwo | Open with entry ticket |
| Okwangwo Division | Northern rainforest, primate habitats, hiking trails | Guided access recommended |
| Oban Hills Division | Southern lowland rainforest, waterfalls | Guided access |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points of the two divisions.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person) | NGN 5,000–10,000 | person | Includes basic trail access |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided hike (Okwangwo trail) no permit
Park rules
- Guides
- Recommended for forest trails; some areas require a guide
- Camping
- Not permitted inside the park; stay in Kanyang lodge or Calabar
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use designated cooking facilities
Where to stay
In the park
Kanyang tourist village lodge
Basic rooms, restaurant, easy park access
Near the park
Calabar hotels
Range from budget to mid‑range, 1 h drive to park
Safety
Wildlife encounters low
Getting lost on trails medium
Health (mosquitoes, malaria) medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Kanyang village area reachable by car; short walks are level ground.
- Forest trails are uneven and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Support lodges that employ local staff and purchase food locally.
- Avoid single‑use plastics; carry reusable water bottle.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Cross River National Park?
Entry is about ₦5,000–₦10,000 per person; the fee covers basic trail access.
What are the best hikes in Cross River National Park?
The Okwangwo forest trail (3–4 h, moderate) and the Oban Hills waterfall trek (2 h, easy) are the most accessible.
When is the best time to visit Cross River National Park?
The dry months Jan–Mar and Oct–Dec offer the most reliable trails and wildlife spotting.
Do I need a guide?
Guides are not mandatory for short walks but are strongly recommended for forest trails.
Where can I stay near the park?
Kanyang tourist village lodge (in‑park) or hotels in Calabar (≈ 1 h drive).
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Cross River National Park
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