Gashaka Gumti National Park
National Park Nigeria's largest national park with montane biodiversity
Nigeria’s largest national park spanning montane forest and savanna near the Cameroon border. Wildlife watchers and trekkers come for primates, birding, remote walking trails and highland scenery.
Gashaka Gumti National Park is Nigeria’s largest national park, located in Taraba State along the country’s eastern border with Cameroon and established as a national park in 1991. The park encompasses extensive montane and lowland habitats, including rainforest, savanna and highland plateaus.
The park contains Chappal Waddi, Nigeria’s highest summit at 2,419 metres, and a mosaic of forested valleys, grasslands and rugged terrain that supports a wide range of wildlife including primates, large mammals and diverse birdlife. The park is an important center for conservation in West Africa and a focus for scientific research and ecotourism.
Gashaka Gumti covers the Gashaka and Gumti mountain zones and parts of the Mambilla Plateau in northeastern Nigeria, with terrain that is remote and sparsely settled compared with Nigeria’s central regions.
- Large and varied habitats: Includes Nigeria's highest point at 2,419 metres, offering montane rainforest, montane grassland and savanna habitats across a large, remote area.
- Access and logistics: Access is remote and services are limited; park visits typically require permits, local guides and overland travel arrangements from nearby towns.
What to See #
- Chappal Waddi (Gashaka Mountain): Chappal Waddi (often called Gashaka Mountain) reaches 2,419 metres and is the highest point in Nigeria, forming part of the park's montane zone.
- Gumti forest and valleys: The Gumti zone contains extensive forested slopes and river valleys forming core habitat for the park's larger mammals and rain-fed gallery forests.
- Mambilla Plateau highlands: The Mambilla Plateau area within the park includes highland grasslands and montane habitats that are important for endemic and highland-adapted species.
Tips for Visiting Gashaka Gumti National Park #
- Plan travel to Gashaka Gumti during the dry season (roughly November-February) when roads and trails into the park are most reliable and wildlife viewing is easier.
- Arrange permits and a local guide through the Nigeria National Park Service before you go - the park is large and remote, and guided, multi‑day itineraries are the practical way to reach the best trails and viewpoints.
- Allow several days for travel and exploration rather than a day trip: the park's terrain is extensive and the main attractions (mountain scenery, forest blocks and wildlife) require time to reach from the nearest towns.
Best Time to Visit Gashaka Gumti National Park #
Visit during the dry season (roughly November-February) when access is easiest and wildlife viewing is most practical.
Weather & Climate near Gashaka Gumti National Park #
Gashaka Gumti National Park's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 18°C to 34°C. Abundant rainfall (1508 mm/year), wettest in September with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 18°C. The driest month with just 1 mm and mostly sunny skies.
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February
February is warm with highs of 34°C and lows of 20°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is the hottest month, feeling like 28°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is the hottest month, feeling like 30°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 22°C. Significant rainfall (170 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 22°C. Heavy rain (203 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 21°C. Heavy rain (253 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 21°C. Heavy rain (271 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 21°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (274 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 21°C. Significant rainfall (175 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 20°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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December
December is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 18°C. The driest month with just 1 mm and mostly sunny skies.