National park · Nigeria
Yankari Game Reserve
Go for 2 nights at Wikki Camp in the dry season (Nov–Mar): swim the Wikki Warm Springs at dawn, take a guided morning safari for elephants, and walk the Marshall Caves and Dukkey Wells circuit; skip the wet-season months when grass hides the animals.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2,244 km²866 sq mi
approximate
Established
1956
Best months
Nov–Mar
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
- 2,244 km²866 sq mi
- About 2,244 km² of Sudan savanna, woodland and low hills; boundaries and figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1956
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Yankari Game Reserve is Nigeria's largest wildlife area, covering over 2,200 km² of Sudan savanna in Bauchi State. Originally a game reserve established in 1956 and briefly a national park from 1991 to 2006, it holds the country's most significant surviving population of African bush elephants. The landscape features rolling hills, warm-water springs and archaeological sites like the Marshall Caves. It remains the primary destination for eco-tourism in West Africa, offering a quieter alternative to East or Southern African parks.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1956.
Size and age
2,244 km²866 sq mi · national park since 1956
About 2,244 km² of Sudan savanna, woodland and low hills; boundaries and figures vary by source (check).
Why go
- The last big elephant population in Nigeria — several hundred animals in one reserve, best seen on a guided morning drive in the dry season.
- Wikki Warm Springs: a clear, constant-temperature spring you can swim in, right beside the camp.
- Real savanna walking and driving without the crowds of East or southern African parks.
- Archaeology and history on the same trip: Marshall Caves, the Dukkey Wells and the Anfara iron-smelting site.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, dusty harmattan haze; animals at water
- FebDry and hot; good visibility
- MarHot; springs still pleasant
- AprHotter; grass still short
- MayFirst rains; tracks greasy
- JunWet; grass tall, animals disperse
- JulWet season; some routes impassable
- AugWettest stretch; elephants raid farms
- SepStill wet; heavy grass
- OctRains end; green but clearing
- NovDry season starts; best all-round
- DecDry and cooler at night
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| African bush elephantNov–Apr · The reserve holds Nigeria's largest surviving elephant population; dry-season waterholes give the best sightings. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Buffalo, hippo and olive baboonNov–Apr · Hippos stay near water; buffalo herds move with the grass. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Antelope and other grazersNov–May · Easier to see once the grass is short. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Birds (350+ species)Nov–Mar · Resident and migrant species; early morning is best. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Elephants raiding farmland at the boundaryJun–Sep · A wet-season conflict issue; keep to camp roads and follow guide instructions. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Bauchi
Road via Alkaleri to the Mainamaji gate, then 43 km of reserve road to Wikki Camp; charter a car or join a transfer.Road via Alkaleri to the Mainamaji gate, then 27 mi of reserve road to Wikki Camp; charter a car or join a transfer.
1.5–2 h
From Abuja
Flight or long road trip to Bauchi, then a chartered vehicle to the reserve.
5–9 h
From Lagos
Fly to Bauchi or Abuja first; do not plan this as a road trip from Lagos.
1 day
Open the page →
From Country planning
Visa, landing card and state-by-state advice before booking.
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Wikki Camp and Wikki Warm Springs | The tourist centre: chalets, restaurant, bar and the spring pool. | Open to staying guests and day visitors with a ticket. |
| Central savanna and waterholes | Open grassland and woodland where elephants, buffalo and antelope concentrate in the dry season. | Guided safari vehicle only. |
| Marshall Caves and Dukkey Wells | Rock shelters and a chain of old wells, with the Anfara iron-smelting site nearby. | Guided visit; rough ground. |
| Kariyo Hill area | The reserve's high point at about 640 m, with views over the plains. | Guided; check condition of the track before committing. |
Sketch map
- 1Mainamaji entrance gate · Gate≈9.910, 10.320Approximate; about 69 km from Bauchi.Approximate; about 43 mi from Bauchi.Map ↗
- 2Wikki Camp · Sleep≈9.757, 10.509Approximate; about 43 km inside the gate.Approximate; about 27 mi inside the gate.Map ↗
- 3Wikki Warm Springs · Beach≈9.911, 10.315Approximate position from the source listing.Map ↗
- 4Marshall Caves · Cave≈9.800, 10.450Approximate; ask at camp for the current route.Map ↗
- 5Dukkey Wells · Trail≈9.830, 10.420Approximate; guided visit only.Map ↗
- 6Kariyo Hill · Summit≈9.780, 10.550Approximate; about 640 m, the reserve high point.Map ↗
- 7Bauchi · Town≈10.310, 9.844Nearest city and transport hub.Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reserve entry (per person, per day) | NGN 1,000–3,000 | person | 2026 estimate; rates are set locally and change — confirm at the gate (check). |
| Vehicle entry | NGN 2,000–5,000 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; private cars are not allowed beyond the gate area (check). |
| Guided safari vehicle (shared or chartered) | NGN 15,000–40,000 | group | 2026 estimate; book at Wikki Camp, not at the gate (check). |
| Wikki Camp chalet | NGN 18,000–120,000 | room | 2026 estimate; the range runs from hostel beds to larger chalets and villas (check). |
| Chartered vehicle, Bauchi to the reserve | NGN 5,000–15,000 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; about 110 km, roughly 1.5–2 h by road (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Reserve entry ticket permit or guide
Guided safari or walking tour permit or guide
Drone or filming permission permit or guide
Park rules
- No private cars inside
- Visitors move by guided safari vehicle or on foot with a guide; park your car at the gate or camp.
- Guides
- Walking and game drives away from the camp are with reserve guides only.
- Swimming
- Swim only in the Wikki Warm Springs pool area; rivers and pools elsewhere are not safe.
- Wildlife distance
- Stay in the vehicle around elephants and buffalo; never walk between an animal and water.
- Litter and fires
- No fires outside designated areas; carry out all rubbish.
- Filming and drones
- Ask management before any drone flight or commercial filming (check).
Where to stay
In the park
Wikki Camp chalets
About 110 furnished chalets of varying size and quality beside the spring, with restaurant and bar; book ahead in the dry season.
In the park
Wikki Hotel
Rooms and larger units inside the reserve, from budget beds to bigger villas (check current rates).
Near the park
Bauchi city hotels
Wider choice and lower prices, but 110 km each way — a day trip only if you start before dawn.Wider choice and lower prices, but 68 mi each way — a day trip only if you start before dawn.
Safety
Long road transfer and checkpoints medium
Heat and dehydration medium
Malaria and insects high
Wildlife on foot medium
Cattle herds inside the reserve low
Cash and cards medium
Accessibility
- The camp, restaurant and spring pool area are on flat ground with short walks from the chalets.
- Game drives are by vehicle, so limited mobility is workable if you can get in and out of a 4x4.
- The caves, wells and hill tracks are rough and not suitable for wheelchairs or walking aids.
Visiting lightly
- Pay entry and guide fees at official points; unofficial 'guides' at the gate take money away from the reserve.
- Keep to the vehicle on game drives so animals are not pushed off waterholes.
- Carry out batteries and plastic; waste collection inside the reserve is limited.
- Buy food and fuel in Bauchi or Alkaleri so nearby communities earn from the reserve.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Yankari Game Reserve?
Entry is charged per person per day in naira, with a separate vehicle fee — a 2026 estimate of about ₦1,000–3,000 per person and ₦2,000–5,000 per vehicle. Rates are set locally and change, so confirm at the Mainamaji gate. Add a guided safari vehicle (roughly ₦15,000–40,000 per group) and your chalet at Wikki Camp.
What are the best hikes in Yankari Game Reserve?
There is no long trekking network. The realistic options are short guided walks near Wikki Camp, the Marshall Caves and Dukkey Wells circuit (2–3 hours, rough ground), and the track up Kariyo Hill, the reserve's high point at about 640 m. Everything is with a reserve guide, and game viewing is mostly done from a safari vehicle.
When is the best time to visit Yankari Game Reserve?
The dry season, roughly November to March. Grass is short, animals gather at waterholes and tracks are passable. April and October are workable. June to September is the wet season: tall grass, muddy routes and elephants moving onto farmland at the boundary.
How do I get to Yankari Game Reserve?
Most visitors reach Bauchi first — by bus from major Nigerian cities or by flight from Lagos or Abuja — then charter a vehicle for the roughly 110 km, 1.5–2 hour drive to the Mainamaji gate. From the gate it is another 43 km to Wikki Camp. Private cars are not allowed beyond the gate area.
Can I swim at Wikki Warm Springs?
Yes. The spring sits beside Wikki Camp and is open for swimming, with clear water at a near-constant warm temperature. Go at dawn or late afternoon to avoid the middle of the day, and swim only in the pool area, not in rivers or other pools.
Where should I stay at Yankari?
Wikki Camp is the practical base: about 110 furnished chalets of different sizes beside the spring, plus a restaurant and bar. Wikki Hotel also has rooms inside the reserve. Staying in Bauchi is cheaper but means 110 km each way, so it only works as a pre-dawn day trip.
Is Yankari safe for visitors?
The main risks are the long road transfer, heat and malaria rather than crime. Travel in daylight with a known driver, take medical advice on malaria prophylaxis, and stay with your guide around elephants, buffalo and hippos. Check your government's state-by-state advice for Bauchi before booking.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go