How often does a national park exist two states? Kainji National Park is a national park that was established in 1978 and span across Kwara state and Niger state. Though not the largest national park in Nigeria, Kainji national park extends across a landmass of 5,340 kilometres and divided into three main regions which comprises of two game reserves and one Lake – the Borgu Game Reserve, the Zugurma Game Reserve and the Kainji Lake. Borgu Game Reserve is located in the western part of the Kainji National Park while the Zugurma Game Reserve is located southeast of the park. The Kainji Lake on the other hand is formed by the presence of Kainji Dam. The Lake exists as a reservoir on the Niger River.

Kainji National Park is known to be the largest wildlife park in Nigeria. At the park, there are tour guides to take you round to spot and observe wildlife animals like the king of the jungle; Lion, a large herd of buck, Hippopotamus, monkey and Elephants. Also noticeable are warning sign that states “No hunting in the park”. To protect yourself from the heat of the sun, flies and reptiles, visitors are advised to wear light clothes (avoid colour black) and a pair of light boots.

The fastest way to get to the Kainji National Park is by travelling by air to Ilorin, Kwara State. From the Ilorin International airport, visitors can hire a taxi to the park. Or if you prefer to spend a night in Ilorin and head out to the park first thing the next morning, visitors can seek accommodation in Ilorin hotels.

At Kainji Lake, there is also a “No fishing policy” and “No littering policy”. This is where the Hippopotamus at the park can be sighted. From time to time, other animals make their way to this Lake and eight other ponds in the park to drink water and cool off from the heat of the sun.



Don’t leave Kainji National Park unless you have visited the Wildlife Museum, where the skins of wild animals are on display for your spectacle. Not to worry, these skins are from animal that either died of natural causes or killed by poachers. Aside from the animal skins, other things in sight at the museum are; skin of a big python that stretches from the floor to the ceiling of the building, a huge glutted crocodile, a big egg of an ostrich, snakes and large spiders. The hides of many animals can be seen on the wall, alongside posters with the inscriptions the park hope will help discourage poaching in the park “No hunting in the park”. This inscription is to inform visitors of the dangers the wildlife is exposed to by poaching activities of local hunters in the region.