Have you heard of Sumu Wildlife Park?

Sumu Wildlife Park lies in the heart of Lame Burra Game Reserve along the Kano Federal Highway, barely 59 square kilometres from Bauchi town. It was created in 2006 and has been visited by Bill Clinton who attested to its potential. Although 82 sq km is allocated to the Reserve, only 12 square kilometres has been fenced off. Of which, 8 square kilometre belongs to Sumu Wildlife Park, home to Zebras, Giraffes, Wildebeests, Impalas, Monkeys and other herbivores. It may seem as no remarkable feat to visit Sumu to see just six species of animals, but there are a few reasons why Sumu Wildlife park is worth the trip. One reason is you get to experience a drive through the Sudan Savannah to see Nature growing untamed and the animals roaming free; it is no secret that Bauchi State caters to both the Sudan and Sahel Savannah in its 46 thousand square kilometre mass of land.The road leading to Sumu Wildlife Park is untarred with nothing but grass-covered hills and scattered little farms by the friendly people of Kafin Madaki headquarters of Ganjuwa Local Government Area, Bauchi State. Although some animals were imported from Namibia into the park, there are animals indigenous to this forest vegetation like Guinea fowls, Monkeys, Rabbits, Squirrels and small antelopes. The animals found in Sumu are not found in Yankari Game Reserve, and they are fed on a schedule, so visitors are assured of seeing them at designated times of the day (like around 8 am, at noon and around 5 pm). this serene Park is not without its fair share of challenges. Besides being relatively unknown on a national scale as a tourist destination, it is highly underdeveloped. There is only one vehicle for game viewing. This car sits only ten persons including rangers and tour guides which means a company of visitors surpassing eight people may have to make multiple trips which might mean not everyone gets the same access to the animals. This serene Park is not without its fair share of challenges. Besides being relatively unknown on a national scale as a tourist destination, it is highly underdeveloped. There is only one vehicle for game viewing. This car sits only ten persons including rangers and tour guides which means a company of visitors surpassing eight people may have to make multiple trips which might mean not everyone gets the same access to the animals.

The park also lacks restrooms and sitting areas for tourists to chill while waiting to embark on the trip into the wild. It would also be nice to have restaurants and live in accommodations for guests who might want to spend the night rather than have to make the long drive back to Bauchi town. The route through the park has some mud pit-stops where the vehicle gets stuck. Though this also adds an air of danger to the ride (the fear of being stranded), it can be avoided if there were maintenance contingencies for the road, especially during the raining season. In countries committed to tourism, even the drive to Sumu park can be a vibrant part of the experience of being at the park as there would be camels, dirt bikes and horses available to ferry visitors to the resort for a fee. There is so much to be done to improve the already impressive Sumu Wildlife park. With more funding by both government and private investors, Sumu Park can become the next big thing in Nigeria’s Tourism industry.   Next time you plan a trip to Bauchi’s Yankari Game Reserve include a visit to Sumu Wildlife Park and you won’t be disappointed.