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Yankari Park

 This page updated:  19-Jun-08

 

 

Here are two sets of information about Yahkari

 

Here is some basic info about Yankari.

 

The general manager's phone number is +8821650650578 (satellite, because ordinary cell phones do not work there). You can book chalet calling this number. They all are doubles, no twins as far as I know. I am not sure about the number of chalets; the web-site http://www.yankarigamereserve.com/home.htm states there are 114, but some of them are still being renovated, some are in terrible condition that I would rather accept compensation for staying there instead of paying 5000+ per night.

 

Room tariffs (N):

 

Executive Suite: Room rate - 11500, Inclusive rate - 13225, Deposit - 15000

Luxury Suite: Room rate - 9500, Inclusive rate - 10925, Deposit - 13000

VIP Suite: Room rate - 5000, Inclusive rate - 5750, Deposit - 8000

Studio Suite: Room rate - 4000, Inclusive rate - 4600, Deposit - 7000

Luxury Double: Room rate - 3500, Inclusive rate - 4025, Deposit - 6500

Double: Room rate - 2000, Inclusive rate - 2300, Deposit - 4000

 

New Chalet Tariffs (N)

 

Luxury Double: Room rate - 8500, Inclusive rate - 9775, Deposit - 13000

 

I personally saw only VIP Suite and New Luxury Double, the first was ugly so even do not think about booking it or anything cheaper; New Luxury Double was quite good, with water and a small fridge, quite stylish African-like furniture, mosquito nets. Maybe Luxury Suite and Executive Suite are OK too, but I did not see them. I have no idea what "room rate" means, because "inclusive rate" is what you pay, and "deposit" is the maximum amount you pay per day and they give you the rest back when you check out (for example, if you stay in a New Luxury Double for 2 nights you first pay N26000 and when you check out you get N6500 back).

 

There is a bar there where you can buy beer and soft drinks with a nice terrace where you can observe the forest; a guy was preparing suya just near the terrace. There is a restaurant too, I ate there once, no experiments - just rice and chicken, was good, but maybe it is not a bad idea to bring some foodstuff with you.

 

Safari lasts 2 hours and costs N7000 for a group of people in a jeep, there are 9 or 10 seats, so the cost is shared between them, but we booked a car for 5 of us which was more comfortable. If you go by your own vehicle (4WD) cost is N300 per person, but I doubt there are good views from a private car. Their jeeps are much higher than ordinary cars and have no windows. I would also suggest to go to safari twice - in the evening and in the morning; we saw two groups of elephants in the evening but none in the morning, and a crocodile showed up only in the morning. Also bring something really warm for a morning safari, it's cold there in an open car.

 

Allow yourself at least a couple of hours near the Wikki warm springs (daily entrance fee is N300 per person): water is clear and constantly warm (+33C), bottom is sandy, there is a nice little sandy beach too with palm-trees. Don't make picnic on the beach 'cause baboons surround your immediately like in horror movies. Actually baboons are everywhere, so always close doors in your car (because we left it open for a few moments and a baboon stole my popcorn), lock the door and the windows in your chalet, don't carry snacks especially when it's dark.

 

Yulia

 

- The newly refurbished chalets are very nice, albeit with a few missed details that could have made them perfect. African art all around, king-sized bed (hard foam), 3 of 4 showers tested worked great. fridge, kettle in room but no coffee/tea provided. Jane did get a look into some of the not refurbished ones, all she would say was "truly dire" when she came back...

- Our effort to book the chalets was a complete failure. Regardless of what you're told by anyone, "ain't nuthin' held without some money down". The
number we were told that we should have called to arrange was the Bauchi Booking Office on 0803 677 2017. When we arrived they were full up with a conference, but in the end we managed to get a gorgeous 2-bedroom plus living room chalet at a discount (normally N50,000) for that night as it was the only thing left.

- No water early in the morning; gen on only briefly in morning, 6:30(ish) to 12 at night.

- Apparently the baboons go home in the evening. we ignored many signs and cooked our own dinner on the patios without trouble (we did attempt to be discrete).

- During the day the baboons are indeed just fine with opening your windows or anything else -- so look for latches and locks!

- The restaurant was good for Nigerian food.

- We got in a bit of a hassle for going on a game drive by ourselves without a guide. Apparently the deal is you pay a park entry fee each trip into the
park, and the guide is included in that price although you may tip him. This is all included in the price if you go in their game vehicles.

- The guide comes with a radio which is probably prudent, but Jane taught him all about the birds we were seeing - as there was very little game. Around 3 or so each day a herd of 15 elephants were reported to transit somewhere near
the game roads, but we didn't see them.

- We had thought that the issue with the rainy season (aside from the mud) would be that the grass would grow tall and hide the animals. Unfortunately it wasn't the grass growing up, but the trees/bushes getting thicker -- so things were already a bit dense by the end of May.

Rob.

 

Here are a few photos: