Chad Basin National Park

Located in the northeastern part of Nigeria between Borno and Yobe States, Chad Basin National Park covers an area of 2258 km². The park is composed of three sectors that are spatially remote from one another. One sector is Chingurmi-Duguma in Borno and two sectors are the Wetlands and Bulatura Oases in Yobe.

Understand

History

Chad Basin National Park lies within the old Kanem-Borno Empire (present-day Borno and the Yobe states). The empire was established before the 10th century AD. It was one of the celebrated and politically well-organized empires tantamount to its peers of the Songhai and Mali Empires in Africa. The then Borno Empire developed within the Conventional Basin of Lake Chad where Chad Basin National Park is found now.

Wildlife

Chad Basin National Park is made up of some rare desert wildlife like red-fronted gazelle, ostrich, giraffes and many other species of mammals.

Prepare

What to bring

If you plan to visit the park, bring:

• Camera
• Cash
• Sunglasses
• Comfortable hiking shoes.

Get in

There are two means of transportation to travel to Chad Basin National Park: by plane and bus.

By plane

You can go by air by taking a direct flight from the Lagos Airport to Maiduguri International Airport in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State in Nigeria. A connecting vehicle will be needed to get into Chad Basin National Park.

By bus

In addition, several bus companies like God Is Good Motors (GIGM), ABC Transport,The Young Shall Grow offer daily services from almost all major cities around the country to Borno State. While buses usually are quite comfortable, journey times are very long.

A connecting means of transportation will be needed to finally get to Chad Basin National Park either by taxi, public transport or a shared taxi has to be boarded from the bus park or upon arrival at the airport to the park.

Fees and permits

• Entrance is free. The entrance fee is under review, as of 2021, and might change soon.

Get around

Visitors and tourists to the nature park will get to view wildlife on foot. Guided tours and safari vehicles are also available. Private cars aren't allowed into the park. In addition, the rental car service of a Savana jeep (for touring) isn't offered at the park as of June 2021, but the service might be included in the near future.

See

• If you are a lover of animals or an adventurer, Chad Basin National Park is a place to be where you can appreciate nature with a great landscape view.

Do

Tourists mostly indulge in the activities listed below:

• Wildlife. As a tourist in the park, you can see animals such as hippopotamus, giraffes, clawless otter, crocodile, ostriches, different species of birds and much more.
• Go birdwatching
• Visit the several fishing villages around the area.
• Take pictures.
• Enjoy the sights of sand dunes at Bula Tura.
• Go boating

Buy

There are no stores/markets within the park, markets and stores can be found in the community around Chad Basin National Park.

Unless you are in a supermarket or restaurant/bar with fixed prices, you will be expected to negotiate the price you pay for an item down to the lowest the vendor would sell. Hawkers usually camp at a spot selling anything from fresh food items like tomatoes, fishes, vegetables, potatoes to drinks. Expect any high-end clothing and accessories brand names (Gucci, Versace, Louis Vuitton, etc.) in these informal markets to be fake, and should you wish to purchase them aim for a very low price. Shopping at the local market is usually done with cash as they don't have POS machine for cashless transactions, supermarkets, restaurant/bar accepts cashless transaction such as POS and money transfer.

If you hold a Visa, MasterCard credit/debit card you can withdraw cash in Naira from various ATMs around Borno state. Most banks' ATMs accept both Visa and Mastercards.

Foreign currency, U.S. dollars, pounds sterling, or euros is best exchanged in Lagos before travelling down to Borno state. In Lagos, there are various places for foreign currency exchange usually located near large hotels and the airport. These are not formal bureaux de change and you will need to negotiate the exchange rate. It is strongly recommended that you count your money in front of the exchanger, and don't be afraid to walk away if you are not happy with the deal. Be wary of your safety in money changing areas, and take care to make sure you are not followed when leaving them.

There are formal bureaux de change in the various banks that can be found both in Lagos and Borno state, and you can rest assured about transacting with them, although their rates may be slightly higher or lower than the rates outside.

Local markets

In Borno State: Bullumkutu, Abbaganaram, Monday market, Baga Road, Budum, Tashan Bama, Kasuwan Shanu, Custom market. In Yobe State: Gujba, Potiskum, Damaturu, Geidam, Bursari, Yunusari, Nguru, Jakusko, Yusufari, Bade and Gulani markets.

Supermarkets

For a more cosmopolitan experience you can shop at various supermarket and stores:

• 1 Today's Super Store, Off Lagos Street Opp Fizzan Petrol Station, Maiduguri, ☏ +234 8033948097. Daily 8AM-9PM. A store where you can shop for varieties of products and groceries. (updated Jun 2021)
• 2 Jajaya Global Concept Nigeria Ltd, No 2133 Abba Gana Terab (505) Housing Estate, Maiduguri, Borno State, ☏ +234 7068817608. M-Sa 8AM-9PM. A wide selection of grocery items, body care products, washing items and lots more. (updated Jun 2021)
• 3 Bashir Dunoma Venture's, Shop No 2 Opposite Former Challaram, Behind General Hospital, Along One way, Maiduguri, Borno State, ☏ +234 08127938734. M-Sa 8AM-9PM. All kinds of soft drinks. (updated Jun 2021)

Eat

• 1 Alheri restaurant, Maiduguri (Maiduguri), ☏ +234 8140723732. Daily 7AM-11PM. A restaurant with adequate service and relatively cheap food. (updated Jun 2021)

• 2 Hadiza Bulongu Restaurant, Maiduguri Zonal Office, Maiduguri, ☏ +234 8060444046. Daily 8AM-9PM. (updated Jun 2021)
• 3 City Star, Yerima Road, Maiduguri, ☏ +234 08127938734. M-Sa 10AM-10PM. (updated Jun 2021)
• 4 Down Town Take Away, Lagos St, Maiduguri (Yerima Road), ☏ +234 08127938734. M-Sa 10AM-10PM. Western fare such as hamburgers, pizza, snacks can be found here, Nigerian delicacies such as jollof rice and moin moin and other Nigerian delicacies are more popular. (updated Jun 2021)

Sleep

• 1 Grand Pinnacle Luxury Hotel, Maiduguri International Airport, Maiduguri, ☏ +234 8038921433. (updated Jun 2021)

• 2 Hadiza Bulongu Restaurant, Maiduguri Zonal Office, Maiduguri, ☏ +234 8060444046. Daily 8AM-9PM. (updated Jun 2021)
• 3 Nanne and Boi Suites, Onitsha Road, Maiduguri, ☏ +234 7083061470. (updated Jun 2021)
• 4 Dujima International Hotel, Kashim Ibrahim Rd, Maiduguri, ☏ +234 8029244328. (updated Jun 2021)

Stay safe

The community around Chad Basin National Park is peaceful but one can never be too careful, especially as a tourist, keeping safe is a crucial activity that has to be done. Beware of deals or businesses that sound too good to be true (especially e-mails soliciting your help), and do not openly flaunt your possessions, especially in public places.

While it is rare for a tourist to be a victim of a violent crime, it is still wise to stay safe and be alert, especially during late-night outings. Stick to crowded streets and make sure to go out in groups as against going out alone.

In addition, don't be scared when you are suddenly approached by someone begging you for money when touring the community, Borno state has its fair share of street beggars (both the old and young). If someone approaches Nigerians or tourists for money, you can decide if you want to slip a little change or not give anything at all, they are not entitled to your money, what most of them do is ignore the person or continue to walk at a brisk pace.

There are police officers who are corrupt and inefficient so you should stick to places and people you know and avoid going anywhere without a trusted guide if it is the first visit.

Go next

• Kainji National Park
• Old Oyo National Park
• Kamuku National Park
• Oguta Lake