National park · Nigeria
Okomu National Park
Enter Okomu National Park for a half‑day treehouse walk (₦2,000–₦5,000 entry, 30 min drive from Benin City) or a full‑day guided trek (₦10,000–₦15,000) in the dry season Dec–Jan; avoid the heavy rains Feb–Nov.
- 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
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
200 km² (77 sq mi)77 sq mi (200 km²)
approximate
Established
1935
Best months
Dec
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
- 200 km² (77 sq mi)77 sq mi (200 km²)
- Park covers about 200 km² of lowland rainforest within the larger 1 082 km² Okomu Forest Reserve; the protected core was 66 km² in 1986 and later expanded to 114 km² (check).
- Established
- 1935
- Best months
- Dec
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Benin City
Okomu National Park preserves a fragment of Nigeria's once‑extensive lowland rainforest, offering canopy‑walks, tree‑house platforms and sightings of rare mammals and over 150 bird species.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1935.
Size and age
200 km² (77 sq mi)77 sq mi (200 km²) · national park since 1935
Park covers about 200 km² of lowland rainforest within the larger 1 082 km² Okomu Forest Reserve; the protected core was 66 km² in 1986 and later expanded to 114 km² (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Benin City.
Why go
- Explore a remaining lowland rainforest with rare mammals and over 150 bird species.
- Visit tree‑house platforms for canopy views and try the canopy walk or bird‑watching.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprAvoid
- MayAvoid
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecBest
- JanDry but cooler; some trails muddy.
- FebRain starts, trails slippery.
- MarRainy season begins.
- AprFrequent showers.
- MayHeavy rain, high humidity.
- JunPeak rainfall.
- JulPeak rainfall.
- AugPeak rainfall.
- SepRainy, occasional storms.
- OctRain decreasing, still wet.
- NovRain tapering, some trails still soft.
- DecDry, cooler, best for walking.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| African buffalo, African forest elephant (rare)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Grey Parrot, Hornbills, Angolan Pitta, various warblersMar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Mona monkeys, other primatesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
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
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| A.P. Leventis Centre | Visitor centre, ticket office, small museum and starting point for trails. | Open daily; entry ticket required. |
| Tree‑house area (Lake 52 & 64) | Two elevated platforms for canopy views and climbing. | Accessible with a short walk from the centre. |
| Canopy walk trail | Elevated walkway through the forest canopy. | Guided only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 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 based on park centre and main facilities; approximate for orientation.
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 (gate) | NGN 2,000–5,000 | person | Check latest price at gate. |
| Guided full‑day trek | NGN 10,000–15,000 | person | Includes guide and permit. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided trek permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- NGN 2,000–5,000
- NGN 10,000–15,000
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on National Park Service – Okomu before you go.
Park rules
- Hunting
- Prohibited throughout the park.
- Fires
- Open fires not allowed; use designated cooking areas.
- Camping
- Only permitted in the Eco‑resort Lodge; no wild camping.
- Guides
- Required for canopy walk and any off‑trail trekking.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish.
Where to stay
In the park
Okomu Eco‑resort Lodge
12 chalets, restaurant and pool inside the park.
Near the park
Royal Marble Hotel
Standard rooms 26 mi from the park gate, with parking and breakfast.
Safety
Malaria medium
Wild animals (elephant, buffalo) medium
Heavy rain flooding trails high
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
- Visitor centre reachable by car; short walks to tree‑houses are level ground.
- Canopy walk and longer trails involve stairs and uneven surfaces; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Support the Nigerian Conservation Foundation by paying entry fees.
- Choose the Eco‑resort Lodge which uses solar water heating.
- Do not purchase unofficial 'elephant rides' or wildlife products.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Okomu National Park?
Entry is about ₦2,000–₦5,000 per person; guided full‑day treks cost ₦10,000–₦15,000. Prices are estimates for 2026 and should be confirmed at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Okomu National Park?
The tree‑house climb (easy, 1–2 h) and the canopy walk (moderate, 2 h) are the main marked trails; longer wildlife treks require a guide.
When is the best time to visit Okomu National Park?
The dry months December and January offer the most reliable walking conditions; avoid February–November when heavy rain makes trails slippery.
Do I need a guide for any activities?
A guide is mandatory for the canopy walk and any off‑trail trekking; tree‑house visits can be done independently.
Where can I stay near the park?
Inside the park, the Okomu Eco‑resort Lodge offers chalets; outside, the Royal Marble Hotel is a nearby option with standard amenities.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Okomu National Park
Loading…
Was this useful?