I had heard quite a lot about Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi state from a couple of friends before my last visit sometime last week. I must confess that I was caught in awe. Yankari Game Reserve is a breath-taking place. I could argue that it’s one of the most beautiful places in Nigeria.

From Katsina where I went with my family for the Eid celebrations on the invitation of the Emir of Katsina, we proceeded to Kano and linked Bauchi which happened to be a very smooth ride. And guess what, I drove without any human guide. My only guide was my phone using google maps. Quite strange I know. Even the military men on the road were quite astonished at my guts. Driving all alone with my wife and two children without any guide. The parting word from them is “be careful” and my response was always “I am a Nigerian.”

The ride from Bauchi to the gate of the reserve was also hassle-free. I totally enjoyed all the formalities and documentation at the gate on safety issues and the do’s and don’ts especially by the security personnel on duty. They were very professional, and that in itself gave me some form of assurance that we were going to enjoy our stay.  The distance from the main gate to the resort itself was about 42 kilometers. I mean 42 kilometers with nature’s beauty and serenity. I could sense the excitement on the faces of my kids as we embarked on the trip to the resort itself. You are driving in the middle of the forest, and you meet a lot of animals like monkeys, baboons, bears, colorful birds that I haven’t seen in my life before and many others. It’s more like they are welcoming you to the resort if you ask me.  I was also really impressed with the various signs on the road leading to the resort.

And behold we were right at the gate of the resort. It was a huge shock. And I could see the light in the eyes of my wife and kids. Again, the security men welcomed us warmly and also was another round of checks, documentation and cautions on the dos and don’ts at the resort. Especially with the baboons. The warning was, “don’t attempt to give them food; else they might ruin your stay by always wanting to get more food from you. They can even grab your bag open to take food or snatch your lunch box right from your hand.” It was a funny experience on the side of the baboons. They are more like area boys. And they are everywhere amazingly.

The reception was professional. I was very impressed, likewise my wife. Our guide welcomed us warmly and took us around the various accommodations available, even though we had called earlier to book reservations. There was still that flexibility. At some point, we were all engulfed with the natural habitat, so much so that we were basking in the euphoria of our temporary home for a couple of days.

Yankari can’t be compared to anywhere I have visited in most of the African countries and even Western nations that I have visited. It’s such a huge place that covers an area of about 2,244 square kilometers. The attractions are too many at the resort. But for me, it was the natural warm water springs. It was so clean that even if you dropped a pin, you could see it. The wikki spring has a constant temperature of 31.1 °C through the year during both day and night. In one of my sojourns, my family and I spent over 10 hours in the spring, because of the warmth and relaxing nature. I thought I was on another planet.  I was left in awe with the ambiance. I was also carried away with the hugeness of the place and how it has been effectively managed since 1st December 1962 when it was opened to the public. Yankari was upgraded to a national park in 1991 and managed by the National Parks Service until 2006 when responsibility for the management of the reserve was handed back to Bauchi State Government and managed by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of Bauchi State

I was made to understand that the reserve is home to over 50 species of mammal including African bush elephant, olive baboon, patas monkey, Tantalus monkey, roan antelope, western hartebeest, West African lion, African buffalo, waterbuck, bushbuck, and hippopotamus. And over 350 species of birds.  According to the 2015 Annual report prepared by the Wildlife Conservative Society (WSC), Yankari Game Reserve contains the largest surviving elephant population in Nigeria, and one of the largest remaining in West Africa.

The Yankari Game Reserve is such an interesting place regarding infrastructures, road network, the quality of service, the safety measures in place, the professionalism of the staff and on the whole in location and ambiance. In my opinion, this place is fantastic and could be a huge revenue earner for the Nigerian government if enough publicity could be accorded the place as a number one tourist destination in Africa.

It is indeed the tourist destination of choice in Africa because, in all of my travels around the African continent, I haven’t come across such beauty to behold in all of my trips. This is quite commendable and more can be done.

There was also a humorous side to the whole experience. It’s the experience with the baboons. You are always advised to keep your doors and windows shut at all times because the baboons move around checking for doors that are open, and once they find one, they open and search for food. And if your window is left open, the parent baboons would allow their kids to go inside through the window to get food. I experienced this once, and it was just so hilarious.

You are just at peace with yourself once at the resort. At night, the only thing you hear are animals conversing, birds singing like soothing you to sleep and the moon shining so bright. I have never felt anything like this in my entire life. This much my wife confessed, likewise the kids.

The safari ride is another adventure. It was scary especially for my son who saw a lion even though we were in a safe vehicle. We also saw elephants, hippos, colorful birds and other wild animals. We had a tour guide with us. He was very professional and pleasant. The safari ride is worth every moment. It was he who told us that since the opening of the reserve, it had only recorded one incident when a lion strolled into the resort. And this happened decades ago.

The Yankari experience isn’t one that anybody can tell sufficiently. The only way you can grasp and experience this wonder on earth and in Nigeria is to visit. And I bet you will be awed with what will confront you. If you are not laughing your hearts out with the behavior of the baboons, you will be enjoying the warm spring. And if that isn’t enough, a safari ride will blow your mind away. And trust me, you will sleep well at night because the birds will sooth you to sleep.

The Yankari Game Reserve has the potential to be the best in the world if certain measures are put in place, especially some form of publicity. I want to believe this is being done. If not, it should start as a matter of urgency.