The renovated and improved Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi State, northeast Nigeria, may have regained its past glory as one of Nigeria’s premier tourist retreat if government kept pace with its promise to make it a hub for tourists. It could, annually, generate between $5 and $10 billion dollars if fully patronized.
Commissioning the renovated resort on November 8, 2013, former Nigerian Vice President Namadi Sambo described it as “attaining international standard tourist resort”.
Sambo said: “This is magnificent and a first class international standard holiday resort. I congratulate the two governors under whose administration the resort was completed for doing a wonderful job. I want to assure the Bauchi State Government of Federal Government’s continued support for the sustenance of the resort”.
Bauchi State government under Governor Isa Yaguda, during the commission said the Yankari Game Resort was capable of generating between $5 and $10 billion dollars annually as revenue if fully patronized. He said developing the resort was in line with the government’s Transformation Agenda and the need for the State government to explore other sources of generating revenue.
Yaguda’s words: “With this international standard tourist site, I want to say that in due time, it will be complemented by our international airport. I am assuring you that the resort alone can attract between five to 10 billion dollars as revenue in due course when patronized”.
Yaguda urged Nigerians to patronize the Resort because “it is better than Sun City Holiday Resort that our people go to for holidays in Cape Town, South Africa”. And added: “Sun City does not have warm spring or game viewing, but this resort has all the things tourists are looking for in a resort and a lot of other natural endowments. Also, in terms of security, the State and Yankari in particular is the most secured environment in the nation”.
Interesting features of the reserve include natural attractions, such as Wikki Warm Springs. Wikki Warm Springs is one of the most brilliant attractions in the game reserves. Tourists find delight relaxing in the warm spring after a hot day’s game.
Other attractions include tennis courts, squash courts, gas stations and accommodations with conveniences. Kanyo Hill, one of the attractions is like a park that could serve as picnic ground. Yankari has beautiful wildlife and museum. It is a unique place to be.
