By Miriam Humbe with agency report
There can be nothing equally as exhilarating as spending a day amidst a true bird's watchers delight at the Gashaka-Gumti National Park, which is acclaimed to play home to a wide variety of bird species, a sure reason it has turned out to be one of the most appealing bird areas in Africa.
Uniquely located in the remote mountainous region of north-eastern Nigeria, between the boundaries of Adamawa and Taraba states is the Gashaka-Gumti National Park (GGNP). Its name is derived from Gumti village in Adamawa state and Gashaka village in Taraba state and is also consisted of approximately 6,600 sq km of sheer wilderness.
Taraba state has undoubtedly earned the acronym, "nature's gift to the nation" because of the beautiful sceneries which adorn its landscape. The breath-taking Gashaka-Gumti National Park clearly personifies this slogan with its natural and beautiful weather, rivers, hills, forests and various species of animals. Tour guides take tourists and visitors round the park to have a firsthand feel of Taraba state's tourist attractions and potentials.
Ecologically, the park is situated in the sub-Saharan Guinea Savannah Zone of Africa in the highlands of the Savannah area of Nigeria, south of the Benue River. It is the main watershed/catchment area of the Taraba River, the major tributary of the Benue River.
It also shares international boundary with the Republic of Cameroon, adjacent to Faro National Park in that Country. Immediately to the south of the park is the awe-inspiring Mambilla Plateau.
Gashaka-Gumti is among the seven National Parks in Nigeria. It is the largest, most scenic and biologically diverse conservation enclave. Its mountains harbour populations of rare and endemic species. For instance, in Leinde Fadali Forest, Scientists have discovered new species of Acanthaeceae, a red flowering shrub of the genus Metarungia whose nearest relatives are found in the East African Montane Forests. Other majestic animals found there include the rare Adamawa Mountain Reedbuck, Black & White Colobus Monkey, Oribi, and Klipspringer.
The numerous unspoilt rivers of this park contain Hippos, Crocodiles, Otters and a wide variety of fishes (over 60 species; 2 are new to science) and various aquatic and amphibious life. The Park's ecosystem is rich in birdlife (over 477 species so far identified) and butterflies (300 species out of which 5 species are new to science).
The convenient time for park -viewing or holidaying is from late December to April. This period is when visitors may conveniently see a lot of wildlife species, varied picturesque sceneries, different vegetation-types and pursue a combination of ecotourism/recreational activities, research and education as well as field trips.
During this season, accessibility is made easier through maintenance of tracks and trails, and improved visibility by regulated bush- burning. From late July to November, accessibility is, however, very difficult as flooded rivers, streams, overgrown vegetation and marshy areas have cut off access to many places of recreational interests.
It is not out of place to say, in the praise of Gashaka-Gumti National Park, that it contains over 500 unique species of birds. Above and beyond, the sight of assorted animals and dramatic environs will no doubt make an appeal to visitors who throng in there, helping them to discover nature and to unravel some of the many best kept secrets about Africa's long-standing charisma and magnetism.
Birdwatchers would gladly want to know that this is a birdwatcher's haven and there are a wide variety of bird species. The Gashaka-Gumti National Park is known as one of the most important bird areas in Africa. Birdwatchers are able to find more than 500 species here, and this is no overstatement. Visiting bird watchers gladly find that new species are constantly added to the list.
A description of how to get to Gashaka-Gumti Park, for first timers goes thus. The town of Serti on the Yola to Mambilla Plateau is the gateway to the Gashaka Park. Travelers coming from the South of Nigeria will pass through Wukari, Mutum Biyu and Beli. Travellers from the North can travel via Yola, Numan, Jalingo, Mutum Biyu and Bali.
The park can be reached by road through Mayo Belwa, Ganye and Toungo village. There are daily flights from Yola Airport. From Yola, there are several different forms of public transport to both Serti and Toungo. It is advisable for Tourists are advised to drive in a 4-wheel drive vehicle because of the terrain of the park.
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