Kamuku National Park is located in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, Nigeria. It is situated in the north-central part of Nigeria and it is the closest Park Headquarters to Abuja, and the Federal Capital Territory.

Kamuku National Park was initially by a native Authority Forest Reserve under the defunct Northern Nigerian Government. It boasts a land area of about 1,120 km of typical Savannah Woodland vegetation.

The Park has a rich, close canopy of Savannah woodland-type vegetation with a dominant species of Isoberlina, Afzelia, Daniellia, Detarium, Raphia, etc and a few lily plant species. Tall, tough grass covers the marshy areas of the Park especially during the rainy season. Species like Andropogon gayanus and Penisetum purpureum are the most common grasses found here.

Kamuku National Park has an enviable biodiversity profile. It supports about 19 species of mammals including elephants, which are a major ecotourism attraction for visitors to the Park. However, the Western Hartebeest seems to be the most ubiquitous animal species that can easily be sighted with a little patience.

The range of animals found in the Park is: Elephant, Roan antelope, Western Hartebeest, Bushbuck, Reedbuck, Grimm’s Duicker, Red-flanked Duiker, Oribi Patas Monkey, Green Monkey, Baboon, Warthog, a variety of birds, insects, reptiles, rodents, etc., and bird watchers would easily observe rich offering of various birds at any given time.

Interestingly, about 177 species of birds as well as several reptiles, fishes and insects have been sighted and documented in the Park. Important species of birds like the Secretary bird, Ground hornbill, Neotics dertham and Ground hornbills, which are not commonly found elsewhere in Nigeria, exist here.

By Milica Matic