National parks in Nigeria protect very different landscapes, from rainforest and savannah to wetlands and mountain country. Choosing one for a visit means looking at the location, current access and the kind of experience available. A park’s national designation does not by itself tell you whether visitor facilities or guided trips are operating.
This guide separates seven long-established national parks from newer additions and state-run reserves. It sets out the locations, explains the distinctions behind different park counts and covers practical questions about access, guides and trip costs. Confirm visitor arrangements for your chosen park before booking transport or accommodation.
National Parks in Nigeria and Their Location: The Official Seven
The seven long-established parks below form the core comparison in this guide, with a combined area of about 22,206 square kilometres. Newer designations are covered separately later in the article. Use the location to narrow your options, then check whether the specific sector you intend to visit is open.
| Park | State or states | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Chad Basin National Park | Borno and Yobe | Dryland and wetland habitats near Lake Chad |
| Cross River National Park | Cross River | Rainforest in the south-east |
| Gashaka-Gumti National Park | Adamawa and Taraba | Large park in the north-east, added to UNESCO’s tentative list |
| Kamuku National Park | Kaduna | Savannah woodland |
| Kainji Lake National Park | Niger and Kwara | Built around the Kainji reservoir |
| Okomu National Park | Edo | Forest park in southern Nigeria |
| Old Oyo National Park | Oyo | Savannah park in the south-west |
The Nigeria National Park Service headquarters is on Umaru Musa Yar’adua Expressway in Garki, Abuja. For access enquiries, contact nph@nigeriaparkservice.gov.ng during office hours, Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm. Ask about the particular park, entrance or sector you want to visit rather than making a general enquiry about national parks.
A Simple List of National Parks in Nigeria
For a quick reference, keep the seven long-established national parks separate from newer designations and from state-run reserves. That makes the categories easier to understand when planning a trip or preparing schoolwork.
- Official NNPS list: Chad Basin, Cross River, Gashaka-Gumti, Kamuku, Kainji Lake, Okomu and Old Oyo.
- Separate categories: Oba Hills is a newer national-park addition; Yankari is a Bauchi State-run game reserve.
- Added by the gazette notice: Hadejia Wetlands, Oba Hills and Marhai.
What Each Park Offers a Visitor
The parks differ a great deal. Cross River National Park is part of a group with Korup and Takamanda that Nigeria has put forward for UNESCO tentative listing, and Gashaka-Gumti was added to the tentative list more recently. Kainji Lake National Park is built around the Kainji reservoir, so it is as much about the lake as the land. Chad Basin sits near Lake Chad. Okomu is a forest park, and Old Oyo is a savannah park. Because facilities vary, ask the NNPS what each park offers before you choose one.
How Many National Parks in Nigeria? Why the Count Differs
The honest answer to how many national parks in Nigeria depends on who is counting and when.
- Seven long-established national parks form the core group in this comparison.
- Yankari is a state-run game reserve, while Oba Hills belongs among the newer national-park additions.
- The 23 December 2025 gazette added Hadejia Wetlands in Jigawa, Oba Hills in Osun and Marhai in Nasarawa.
- An announced expansion plan should be distinguished from a completed park designation and from an attraction open to visitors.
Yankari illustrates why park counts can be confusing. It was under federal national-park management until it was delisted in June 2006, and it is now a Bauchi State-run game reserve. Treat it separately from federally managed national parks when comparing designations, while considering its visitor experience on its own terms.
How to Cite a Count
For a clear comparison, distinguish federal national parks, newer gazetted additions and state-run reserves. These categories can offer different facilities and booking arrangements. For travel planning, the practical question is whether your chosen entrance, accommodation and guided activity are available for the dates you intend to visit.
The 17 National Parks in Nigeria Claim
A figure of 17 national parks in Nigeria should not be used as a visitor checklist without identifying the parks and their designation. Announced expansion plans, established parks and state-run reserves are different categories. Use the named locations in this guide and confirm access to the specific park you want to visit.
The 10 National Parks in Nigeria Claim
A count of 10 can reflect the seven long-established parks together with Hadejia Wetlands, Oba Hills and Marhai, the three areas covered by the December 2025 additions. New designation does not guarantee that a visitor centre, accommodation or regular guided trips are available, so check practical access separately.
New National Parks in Nigeria
New national parks in Nigeria covered by the 23 December 2025 gazette include Hadejia Wetlands in Jigawa, Oba Hills in Osun and Marhai in Nasarawa. Before travelling to one of these areas, ask about the entrance, permits, guides and facilities. Do not assume that a newly designated park operates like an established visitor attraction.
The same applies to the earlier plan to take over about ten more parks. Until the NNPS publishes an updated list with visitor information, the safest way to confirm whether a new park is open to tourists is to write to the park service and ask.
Gashaka-Gumti was added to the UNESCO tentative list last year, and the Cross River, Korup and Takamanda parks were added earlier. A tentative listing is not the same as World Heritage status, so it does not guarantee that a park is easy to visit.
Nature Parks in Nigeria That Are Not National Parks
Nature parks and reserves can make worthwhile trips even when they are outside the federal national-park category. Yankari is a state-run game reserve in Bauchi, and our guide to the Yankari Game Reserve entrance fee covers planning a visit. Other distinct attractions include Lekki Conservation Centre, Jos Wildlife Park and Obudu Mountain Resort. Compare the actual activities and access arrangements before choosing.
For a short nature trip in Lagos, our guide to the Lekki Conservation Centre explains what you can see there. It is a conservation area, not a national park, but it gives you a sense of what a protected area visit looks like.
Safety and Access: Check Before You Travel
Several national parks in Nigeria sit in regions that have had security problems, so access can change quickly.
- For Chad Basin, Kamuku and any Kainji sector you intend to visit, obtain current access and security advice before making travel arrangements.
- For Old Oyo National Park, confirm current security conditions, visitor access and the permitted route with park staff before travelling.
- Government and state travel advisories change, so look at the latest before you book.
Whatever park you choose, tell someone your route and return time, share your live location if the network allows, travel with a guide arranged through the park or a reputable operator, and avoid travelling after dark on remote roads. Our guide to places to visit in Calabar is useful if you are heading to the south-east, which is where Cross River National Park sits.
How to Plan a Visit to a National Park
- Pick one park rather than trying to see several. Distances are long and roads are slow.
- Contact the National Park Service to confirm whether the park is open to visitors, which permits or guides are required and the full admission and activity fees for your group.
- Ask whether guides, accommodation and transport are available inside the park or only outside.
- Check the season. Rain affects road access and wildlife viewing in most parks.
- Take cash, water, insect repellent and a first-aid kit, since services inside parks may be limited.
- Confirm security before you leave and again on the day.
Timing and Budget
Season affects access, especially where a trip involves unpaved roads. Dry conditions may make a savannah visit easier, while heavy rain can restrict movement, but ask the park about the sector and dates you have in mind. Budget for transport, a guide and accommodation as well as admission. Request the applicable entrance, vehicle, guiding and activity fees before making a final spending plan.
Responsible Visiting
Protected areas depend on visitors who follow simple rules. Keep to marked trails, keep a respectful distance from animals, take your rubbish with you and follow the instructions of the rangers. If a guide asks you to turn back because of weather or safety, do so. Paying for a registered guide also puts money into the local economy around the park, which is one of the main reasons the parks survive.
Frequently Asked Questions About National Parks in Nigeria
How many national parks are there in Nigeria?
This guide distinguishes seven long-established national parks from the three December 2025 additions: Hadejia Wetlands, Oba Hills and Marhai. Yankari is considered separately as a state-run game reserve. Check the designation and visitor access of the particular park you want rather than relying only on a headline count.
Is Yankari a national park?
Not currently. It was delisted as a national park in June 2006 and is managed by Bauchi State.
Which national park is closest to Lagos?
Old Oyo National Park in Oyo State is one of the options to consider from the southwest. Confirm current access, the appropriate entrance and local security conditions before travelling. Arrange any guide and accommodation in advance, and allow for the actual road route rather than assuming a direct journey to the park boundary.
Can I visit all the parks on one trip?
No. The parks are spread across the country, from Edo and Oyo in the south-west to Borno in the north-east, so plan one region at a time.
Planning a Park Trip
Start with the official seven, use the NNPS for current access information and treat any claim of 17 or 10 parks as unconfirmed. The national parks in Nigeria that are easiest to plan around are those with a clear point of contact and a stable security picture, so confirm both before you commit to a route.
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