Yankari Game Reserve — Attraction in Lim Kundak

If there was something like zero star, that is what I will rate this place. It's like bringing someone long way and far into deception with them not knowing what to look forward to or expect.

The people at the reception to this place are either so poorly educated or they are completely ... 😑😑 If you have nothing better doing with your time or money, visit this place, else save up enough money and go to * or ** if you are looking for the Safari experience or go to * if it is the beautiful water of the Wikki spring that has brought you.

First - this place is located at over 160km away from Bauchi town as opposed to the 71km shown by Google Maps, so you are in for an over one hour drive from Bauchi town which maybe as long as two hours, thanks to the very terrible, windy roads.

Second- the number currently been shown is almost not accessible, I rang this number so many times and no one picked.

Third - the people of this town!!! Oh my goodness! Let me not even go there, from the time I arrived Bauchi, it's like everyone is looking to exploit you, especially when they know you do not speak the language. Would you believe someone wanted to take me for 15000 naira for a trip of just 500 naira? I met a good Samaritan,by name Zahradeen who eventually took me to the Park. So, from the park they will drop you at Bauchi which is Mobil filling station, find your way to Central Market Park, a place very close to the Central Mosque and Emir's palace, it is from there you take a cab going to Maina Maji. They will drop you at the entrance of Yankari Game reserve and it is from here you begin to regret ever making such a long journey except you live in Bauchi or have come here with a stronger determination than usual.

Things to know: Entrance (Gate Fee) into Yankari Game Reserve is 2000 naira if you are an Adult or 800 naira if you have a Student ID card. The drive from the Entrance of the Resort to the First gate of the Resort (sounds strange right? But it is what it is) is no less than 42 kilometers! If you did not come with your car, the Resort will call a driver from town that would drive you into the Resort for 4000 naira!!! From this gate, you decide if you want to sleep over. Student hotel, where you get a mattress on a bunk is 1,800 a night while the suite is 9500 a night. If you decide after waking up the next morning that you want to go on a Safari to see the many beautiful animals; Lions, Zebra, Alligator, Baboon, Monkeys, Antelopes, Elephants, etc. in the reserve, you pay 8,000 for adults and 5,000 for students. The 2000. Naira gives you entrance to the Wikki Spring where you can swim and dive in its crystal clear waters.

This place is so poorly managed that it is either the people at the gate are oblivious to the fact that this reserve is located far away from everything and everyone and than the roads leading here can leave a gap in your spinal column or it's a mixture of all two. Yet, Bauchi is called Home of Tourism and the only one Tourist attraction leaves you with such sad tales you want to cry.

Best thing to do is go in a group, come with your private vehicle,...

AVOID THIS PLACE, FOR NOW!

I was at Yankari Resort from 3rd - 5th December 2024, and I must say I regret going there. I wanted the quiet ambience of nature and the quiet solitude that the place provides, to have a few days of good rest, after not having a vacation for over 6 years. However, it turned out to be a sour experience.

Same bed sheets that were there when I last visited around 2017 are probably what are still there. Almost completely brown now, with stains here and there.

A lot of the furniture in the rooms are falling apart. Wardrobes have no rails for hanging clothes, let alone any hanger in the room.

There was also no water in the rooms; they turn it off. We had to go to Admin block a couple of times to remind them to turn on water. And after a short while, it goes off again.

In the bathrooms, there was no toilet tissue, and none was provided throughout our stay. The bathrooms were also not in a good state. Some tiles have fallen off, showers not working and some amenities broken.

And for the food? Hmmm. That one is another matter entirely. Food quality is poor and options are limited. You have to place an order and wait several hours for it to be cooked. Security won't let you take in food or water past the first gate, except for alcoholic drinks, since they don't sell alcohol inside.

It felt very unsafe at night. Two days there, and not a blink of light. We have to drive to Admin block every time to charge phone.

The entire place is dark at night like how the world was before God said "Let there be light."

N3,000 entrance fee was paid at the first entrance gate (last time, it was N2,000). At the resort, the room rates were also increased. All monies paid were either cash, or paid to a private account (I have evidence to show).

There were overgrown bushes with unkempt lawns everywhere. The environment was also littered with paper and nylon wastes.

The only consolation was the warm spring. We spent almost 5 hours there and went to have a long sleep afterwards. The next morning, we cut our trip short, packed our things and left.

Yankari is a big shadow of itself. It used to be the best tourist site in Nigeria, but now it has joined the host of moribund others. Both the Bauchi State government and the Federal Ministry of Tourism have done Nigeria a great disservice by what has happened to that place. I hope they salvage the place and make the...

The Yankari National Park is surely a place to be.

The scenery is awesome. If you're looking for a place to hangout with family and friends or steal away time with nature and meditate on life, I recommend you visit the park. Accommodation is on point. The rooms are fitted with air-conditioning system, cable TV, intercom, water heater for hot showers and also a kettle for hot water(if you'll need to make tea or snack up on cereals). There's also the kitchen services that you can call to make reservations for your meals. There are basketball and tennis courts if you're the gaming type. The management is also developing a golf course...For golf lovers. And if you're thinking of the long drive to the Reserve, not to worry! An airstrip, I was told, is under construction. You can just charter a PJ and jet in and out as you wish.

The popular Wikki Warm Spring is a sight to behold. The blue/teal green water stays at a temperature of 31.1°C through all seasons. Will really be nice to swim in during the colder harmattan periods. A great work was done setting up a Museum in the park. It has the history of the park from Colonial era, bone and skin collection of different animals in the reserve, reptiles and plants.

The Safari wasn't a wow experience for me and my family as we didn't get to see any spectacular animal other than the ones we do see around our Lodge. That I believe is as a result of how the Safari is managed. I wish the management can set up a tracking system that can let them know where particular animals are. The reserve is too vast to just be roaming about in it looking for animals that are normadic by nature.

Well, for the other animals, they are every where; Water Bucks, Warthogs, and the amazing BABOONS! I'll say at this point "BEWARE OF BABOONS!"

The Yankari National Park/Game Reserve is a lovely place to be. I cherish...