THE YANKARI NATIONAL PARK
. The yankari National park and wikki warm springs are
located around the Gagi river approximately 11/12 hrs by road, south east of
Bauchi town. The beauty and size of the yankari game reserve made it the most
popular reserve in Nigeria. It was setup in 1956 and opened to the public in
1962. The main game viewing areas of the reserve are opened all year round. The
reserve covers 2.058 sq km of savannah woodland and it is well stocked with
elephants, baboons, waterbucks crocodiles hippopotamus roan antelope and
various types of monkeys, lions are also there.
The wikki warm spring is one of the best features of the
games reserve. It is wonderful after a hot days game viewing to relax in the
warm water. The spring gushes out from under a cliff where the water is at
least 6 ft deep, with a bathing area that extends for 600ft to an open area. The
park is inhabited by a variety of birds, including the huge saddle billed
stork, Goliath heron, vultures, kingfishers bee eaters etc. Their also facilities
such as Tennis court, squash courts, a small museum in the reception area.
