National park · Nigeria
Gashaka Gumti National Park
Enter Gashaka Gumti for a day hike to Kwano forest (≈3 h) or a multi‑day trek to Gangirwal peak; go in the dry season (Dec–Feb) to avoid rain and road delays.
- 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
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
6,731 km² (2,599 sq mi)2,599 sq mi (6,731 km²)
approximate
Established
1991
Best months
Dec–Feb
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 10Nine 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.
- North East Nigeria ↗US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand advise against travel to Borno, Yobe and parts of Adamawa; check each state separately, not the region as a whole.
- North East Nigeria ↗If you go, use a vetted local operator with security clearance; do not self-drive or take night buses.
- North East Nigeria ↗Some parks and plateaus require permits or an escort; arrange before you arrive.
At a glance
- Country
- Nigeria
- Area
- 6,731 km² (2,599 sq mi)2,599 sq mi (6,731 km²)
- Officially 6,731 km² (check for any boundary revisions).
- Established
- 1991
- Best months
- Dec–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
Gashaka Gumti National Park, Nigeria’s largest protected area, spans savanna, rainforest and highland plateaus on the Cameroon border, offering remote trekking, abundant wildlife such as elephants and leopards, and the country’s highest peak, Gangirwal.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1991.
Size and age
6,731 km² (2,599 sq mi)2,599 sq mi (6,731 km²) · national park since 1991
Officially 6,731 km² (check for any boundary revisions).
Why go
- Large wilderness with savanna, rainforest and highland plateaus.
- Home to elephants, lions, leopards, chimpanzees and over 100 mammal species.
- Remote trekking to Nigeria’s highest peak, Gangirwal (≈7,936 ft).
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry, cooler nights.
- FebDry, good road conditions.
- MarEnd of dry season, occasional showers.
- AprStart of wet season, trails get muddy.
- MayRainy, rivers high.
- JunHeavy rains, road floods.
- JulPeak wet season.
- AugVery wet, limited access.
- SepRain decreasing, some trails still slick.
- OctTransition to dry, better trails.
- NovDry, cooler.
- DecDry, comfortable temperatures.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephants, lions, leopards, chimpanzees, over 100 mammal speciesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds and butterfliesMar–May | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | 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 Yola airport
Taxi or hired car to Serti gate (≈7 h).
7 h
From Jos
Road via Jos‑Beli‑Serti; 10 h drive.
10 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Serti entrance | Main gate, visitor office, parking. | Open with entry fee. |
| Kwano forest | Rainforest trek, chimpanzees, leopards. | Day‑trip, no guide required. |
| Gangirwal mountain | Highest point, challenging ascent. | Guide required for safety. |
| Bat forest | Fruit‑bat colony, day visit. | Open, easy walk. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 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 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 fee | Free | person | Exact amount not published; check at gate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Long treks (e.g., Gangirwal) permit or guide
Park rules
- Camping
- Only in designated camps (Serti, Gashaka, Toungo).
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use camp stoves.
- Guides
- Required for long treks and border sectors.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste.
- Hunting
- Strictly forbidden.
Where to stay
Near the park
Serti Tourist Camp
Chalets and camping sites with restaurant.
Near the park
Gashaka Tourist Camp
Self‑catering cabins.
Near the park
Toungo Tourist Camp
Basic facilities, advance booking needed.
Safety
Wild animal encounters medium
Road conditions high
Limited mobile coverage low
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
- Main gate and short day‑trips are reachable by car; steep mountain routes not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use designated camps to limit habitat impact.
- Hire local guides; fees support park patrols.
- Carry out all litter; avoid single‑use plastics.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Gashaka Gumti National Park?
Entry fee is collected at the Serti gate; the exact amount is not published online – check on arrival.
What are the best hikes in Gashaka Gumti National Park?
Day‑trip to Kwano forest (≈3 h) and the multi‑day ascent of Gangirwal peak are the most popular routes.
When is the best time to visit Gashaka Gumti National Park?
The dry season, especially December to February, offers the most reliable roads and trail conditions.
Do I need a guide for any part of the park?
Guides are required for long treks such as the Gangirwal ascent and for border sectors; day‑trips can be done independently.
Where can I stay inside the park?
Designated camps at Serti, Gashaka and Toungo offer cabins, chalets or camping sites; advance booking is advised.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go