National parks are great places for relaxation, comfort, and recreational activities. Many people use these parks to hang out with family and friends. You can even use the park for your casual business meetings.
There are a lot of national parks across Nigeria. These parks are mostly filled up during public holidays or summer times. Here, you will see different families taking a break from their daily hustle to create time and beautiful memories with their loved ones.
Since there are quite many national parks in Nigeria, you might be confused about the best national park to spend some time with your family and friends. This is why this article is pretty important for you.
We are going to be talking about the best national parks in Nigeria
‘’How do we know the best?’’ you might ask
Well, we have toured around the states in Nigeria, checking every natural park they have. We considered the amenities, the ambiance, the fun activities you can do, and many other things before compiling this list. We bring you the top 7 national parks in Nigeria.
Let’s begin.
Top 7 National Parks in Nigeria You Should Visit and What to Expect
Table of Contents
- 1 Top 7 National Parks in Nigeria You Should Visit and What to Expect
If you’re just getting acquainted with the wonderful world of nature or want to visit a different country, a national park is the best place to start. National parks are excellent places to visit because they are protected areas and allow you to experience a different environment from the one you’re used to.
These national parks in Nigeria are some of the best places to visit and have the best views you will get in the country
1. Kanji Lake National Park
This is one of the biggest and most popular national parks in Nigeria. This park attracts people from far and wide. You can use this place for your get-together, picnic, and other things. You can also get to socialize with other people as you come to spend time in this park.
The kanji lake national park is located at the borders of Niger and Kwara state, Nigeria. It was established in 1978 and covered a very large area.
If you take a tour of this place, you will notice the park is further divided into 3 sections: the Kanji Lake, the Borgu Game Reserve, and the Zugurma Game Reserve.
Fishing is restricted in the lake as it is home to several rare sea animals.
You will derive a lot of fun touring this area as there are different games you can play with your family and friends. You can also tour the game reserve with a tour guide and get to see different animals. This national park will always be rated as one of the top national parks in Nigeria.
2. Jos Wildlife Park
This park attracts the highest number of tourists from within and outside Nigeria. This park has gained much global recognition for its contribution to the conservation of wildlife in Nigeria. It is home to a lot of rare animals.
It is located at 41 Tudun Wada road, Jos, and it opens by 9 am and closes by 6 pm daily. This park was established in 1979 by the then-governor of Jos, Joseph Gomwalk.
There are a lot of beautiful things about this park that would interest you. Such as the beautiful sought of nature and the birds, the wildlife, and the ambiance.
It is a quality place to spend time with your friends and family. You can also play various outdoor games at this park as there is enough field and space for you to do a get-together if you don’t want to explore the zoo and reserves.
3. Gashaka Gumi National Park
This park is regarded as the largest park in Nigeria. It is a park ideal for your family get-together and outdoor events. It is located in northern Nigeria and extends to the borders of Cameroon. It is a park you should check out if you reside in northern Nigeria.
Gashaka Gumi National Park was founded in 1991 from a combination of two large game reserves. It is located in the eastern provinces of Taraba and Kaduna and covers an area of over 7000 km square.
Some parts of this park are majorly grassland, while some other parts are characterized by mountains, rugged terrains, steep slopes, hills, and valleys.
You will explore many fun things in this park, such as different types of grasslands and vegetation, a wide range of animals such as the African Buffalo, the Chimpanzees, and a lot more. This park is habitation to over 100 species of animals. You will get maximum adventure from touring this park.
4. Yankari National Park
This is another fun park you should explore if you are looking for the best parks in Nigeria. The Yankari National Park is one of the most popular parks in Nigeria. It is home to different species of animals and birds.
This park is located in Bauchi, home to different warm water springs. It was founded in 1991 and has served as a source of tourist attractions ever since. There is a pretty good chance you will meet a lot of foreigners if you decide to take a tour around this park.
You can do many fun things in this park, such as enjoying the warm spring, trying out their resort, exploring the marshall cave, touring the museum, and hiking the Kalban hills.
You can also have a beautiful encounter with the animals at the park, such as the Elephant, the Buffalos, and many other species.
5. Cross River National Park
This is another popular park in Nigeria. This park is a perfect blend of adventure and full. You will never have a dull moment exploring this park. This park has one of the oldest rainforests globally and is globally recognized for its biodiversity.
The cross-river National Park is located at Ibom to Abaliko Road, Badua, Cross-river, and it has two separate sections established in 1988 and 1991. It consists of mangrove and swampy areas with trees going as high as 40 to 50 meters long. You will have a fun time exploring the biodiversity of this park.
The fun things to do in this park include touring and much more. You will get to see different species of birds and butterflies. The species of butterflies in this park account for 20 percent of the butterflies in this world.
You can also go hiking in the mountains and see animals such as elephants, Chimpanzees, Buffalos, Leopards, Foxes, and many more. The best time to visit this park remains between November and May, as the weather during that period is ideal for your tours and exploration.
6. IITA Forest Reserve
This is one of the most protected forest reserves in Nigeria. It is also one of the youngest parks in Nigeria. It is a federal-owned park that gives you the freedom and liberty to explore the best of nature. This park is an important resource for science and recreational purposes.
IITA forest reserve was established on January 1, 2015, to succeed in the 5 years national forest project. It is located in the northward city of Ibadan and opens daily from 9 am to 5 pm. You will find this reserve or park between Ojoo City and Moniya Town.
This center serves many purposes, such as the forest reserve, the ethnobotanical garden, the botanical garden, ornithological monitoring, and much more.
It is home to biodiversity as there are over 450 different plants you can check out in this reserve. There are also 272 Birds, 48 Mammals, 250 Butterflies, 20 Reptiles, and a lot more.
Fun activities to try out in this reserve includes learning about the species of different trees and plants, fishing in the lake, participating in the tree planting program, participating in the tree planting programs, conferences, playing Golf, trying out their exquisite restaurant, and a lot more.
7. Lekki Conservation Center
If you are a tourist coming to Nigeria to explore the parks, the Lekki conservation center is a place you should check out. This park is located in Lagos and attracts many people from within and outside Nigeria.
Lekki Conservation Center was established in Lekki, Lagos State, and it is a government-owned conversation center and park that exhibits the biodiversity of different species of animals. This center covers over 70 hectares of land and is perfect for your exploration and outdoor activities.
There are many fun things you can get to do in this center. You can explore the reserve and zoo and check out animals like Lions, Chimpanzees, Monkeys, Peacocks, and a lot more. You can also try outdoor games such as chess, scrabble, and more.
Other fun things include canopy walking, networking or socializing with people, taking good-quality pictures, and picnics with friends and family.
This is the best conservation center for you as there are other amenities you can enjoy. There is a playground for your kids, a resort for your accommodation, a spa for your relaxation, and a swimming pool for your recreational activities.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
There are a lot of questions you may have in mind when it comes to tourism in Nigeria. Here are some frequently asked questions to help guide you.
Which Park is the Largest in Nigeria?
Gashaka Gumi National Park is the largest park in Nigeria. This park covers a very large area of land, combining two different reserves.
Which Park is the Oldest in Nigeria?
Kanji national park is the oldest park in Nigeria. This park was established in 1979.
What is wildlife in Nigeria?
There are different types of wildlife in Nigeria. Wildlife in Nigeria includes animals like lions, Elephants, Leopards, Hyenas, and a lot more.
Conclusion
There are a lot of national parks you can explore in Nigeria. Each of the national parks boasts of being unique in its special way.
If you are looking for the best national parks in Nigeria, simply go through the list above and select any of the parks listed. You will have a fun time.