Just like the Nigerian people have diverse, unique cultures and languages, so are their parks diverse, unique, and worthwhile. Stay with us as we give you an insider’s guide to Nigeria’s best national parks.
Nigeria is an enormous country, with a landmass ranging over 923,768 square km (356,669 square mi), which is made up of tropical rainforests, islands, highlands, and deserts that are rich with diverse flora and fauna and are preserved in national parks.
In this article, we will reveal five of Nigeria’s best national parks across various regions of the country.
5. Old Oyo National Park – with name derived from the Old Oyo Empire
The old Oyo National Park, which has an overall mass of 2,512 square km (970 square mi), sits between Northen Oyo and Kwara.
Across this large landmass, you’ll find wildlife like buffalos, elephants, and an enormous number of birds. The park is also adorned with a beautifully rich cultural and historical ambience that originated from the Old Oyo Empire.
You can also find nearby beautiful hotels like Owu Crown Hotel, SDM Tavern Hotel, and Calton Gate Hotel, all in Ibadan, where you can get a deserved rest after exploring the park.
Address: Iseyin, Oyo State, Nigeria
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4. Lekki Conservation Center – especially spectacular bird-watching
The Lekki Conservation Center is a Lagos-based national park in Nigeria. The park includes a 1,300 ft (401 m) long canopy walk, which is recorded to be the longest canopy walk in the whole of Africa.
Visitors can enjoy a full view of the wildlife in the park and the habitat types from the entry and exit points of the walkway, which connects six towers. You get a chance to see animals such as crocodiles, snakes, monkeys, and vast species of birds up close.
Moreover, a tree house and bird hide are mounted inside the park, making it especially spectacular to watch birds.
Address: Km 19 Lekki – Epe Expy, Lekki Penninsula II, Lekki 106104, Lagos, Nigeria
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3. Cross River National Park – also known as the ’African Amazon’
Third on our list of Nigeria’s best national parks is the Cross River National Park. Located in the southeastern part of Nigeria, this park is home to the endangered Cross River gorilla and other animals like baboons, leopards, forest elephants, drills, and chimpanzees.
There are two major sections in the park, the Oban section and the Okwangwo section, which are divided by 50 km (30 mi) of forests. Both sections welcome tourists, but if you want to interact with red colobus monkeys, then you should check out the Oban section.
The Cross River National Park, also known as the ‘African Amazon’, has the densest rainforest in the country and is the richest park in Africa for butterflies.
Address: HPJX+669, Ikom – Abanliko Rd, Basua, Cross River, Nigeria
2. Jos Wildlife Park – one of the biggest human-made wildlife homes in Nigeria
The Jos Wildlife Park is one of the biggest human-made wildlife homes in Nigeria. Situated in the hilly Rantya area in Jos, Plateau State, the park extends into the pine forest and Vongnifwel Hill. The park was established in 1972.
Jos Wildlife Park is home to animals like elephants, lions, monkeys, and exotic birds. The park has successfully maintained its animal population and variety over the years because of its exchange programs with other zoos.
When you visit, feel free to check out the museum in this park and engage in fun activities such as picnics.
Address: 41 Tudun Wada Rd, Jos 930105, Plateau, Nigeria
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1. Gashaka Gumti National Park – a magnificent experience for nature lovers
First on our list of on our list of Nigeria’s best national parks is the Gashaka Gumti National Park. This park, named after the two nearby villages, provides a magnificent experience for nature lovers while offering many other recreational activities.
There is a bat forest and a hippo pool, where tourists and researchers can explore and study bats and hippos up close. Additionally, the park is blessed with lots of mountainous areas, one of which is covered by flora that can only be found in Nigeria.
The park also encourages other fun activities like horse riding and sport fishing in its many rivers that have an abundance of different types of fish.
Address: GJR8+X86, Gashaka, Nigeria
