Kainji National Park

Photo

by Jeremy Weate from Abuja, Nigeria

/ CC BY 2.0

Kainji National Park is one of Nigeria's premier protected areas, established in 1979. It encompasses a vast area of 5,340 square kilometers and includes three distinct sectors: the Borgu Game Reserve, the Zugurma Game Reserve, and the Kainji Lake. The park is rich in biodiversity, featuring a variety of ecosystems such as savannas, woodlands, and wetlands. It is home to numerous species of wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, hippos, and various bird species. Kainji Lake, which forms part of the park, is a man-made reservoir created by the Kainji Dam on the Niger River and serves as a crucial water source for both wildlife and human communities.