Yankari National Park

Yankari National Park, spread across the savanna woodlands of northeastern Nigeria, is the country's most important and beloved wildlife reserve, a rare stronghold of West African game. Its wooded grasslands shelter the largest elephant population in Nigeria, along with baboons, waterbucks, roan antelope, bushbuck, hippos and a wealth of birdlife, best seen on game drives through the bush. The park's crowning jewel is Wikki Spring, a spectacular natural spring of crystal-clear, warm turquoise water welling up from beneath a sandstone cliff, deep and inviting enough to swim in year-round, day or night. With its wildlife and warm springs, Yankari is a genuine highlight of Nigerian nature.

What you actually see

• Wikki Spring - the crystal-clear warm turquoise natural spring.
• The elephants - Nigeria's largest elephant population.
• The game drives - the antelope, baboons and savanna wildlife.
• The birdlife - the rich variety of woodland and river birds.

When to go

November to April, the dry season, is by far the best time, when wildlife gathers at water sources and the bush thins for easier game viewing, while the warm Wikki Spring is inviting year-round; the rains make tracks difficult and animals harder to spot. Early morning and late afternoon are prime for game drives.

Honest expectations

Yankari's wildlife is genuinely wild and its elephants and antelope range across a large area, so sightings on game drives take patience and are never guaranteed, and facilities are modest; the reliably spectacular Wikki Spring, however, never disappoints. As Nigeria's premier savanna reserve, home to its greatest elephant herds and the sublime warm spring, though, Yankari is a genuine highlight.

Nearby

The city of Bauchi and the surrounding savanna lie around the park.