Find The Big 5 At Lake Kainji National Park, One Of The Largest Game Reserves In West Africa

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The Lake Kainji National Park can be found in Kwara State and was founded in 1979. This park integrates the Borgu Game Reserve as well as the Zugurma Game Reserve which is to the southeast in Niger State.

The Bourgu sector by itself covers an area of over 3,929 sq. km. which consists of savanna forest. The Zugurma region covers an area of almost 1,370 sq. km. The Kainji National Park is also home to the Kainji Dam, which is a man made lake – the town of Old Bussa used to be at this location. It is believed that the voyager, Mungo Park, experience great grief at this location in 1805. It is for this reason that this lake was build so that it could conceal the scene of the accident.

Lake Kainji is 136 km long, and tourists would be glad to know that tours of the dam are available – special permission should just be obtained from the Nigeria Electric Power Authority. The Borgu Game Reserve office, at Wawa, can also arrange trips on the Lake Kainji. In order to decrease the cost, it is advised that several visitors plan these trips together. Visitors are also allowed to fish on the Lake Kainji.

The Lake Kainji National Park also boasts numerous animals which include the big five – a sight that many wants to experience in Africa. Other animals include antelopes, roan antelopes, jackals, baboons, hartebeest, monkeys and crocodiles. This park is open from December until June, and a definite must see.

The gorgeous water features and rampant bird life puts this park a step above the rest. The accommodation at the park includes 49 standard chalets and a conference facility which can host 140 people.