Visitor Profile and Tourism Carrying Capacity Assessment of Yankari Game Reserve

Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi State, one of Nigeria's most visited wildlife tourism destinations, faces increasing pressure from visitor numbers that may be approaching or exceeding the site's ecological and experiential carrying capacity. This study assesses the visitor profile and estimates the tourism carrying capacity of the reserve using both physical and effective capacity methodologies. Data were gathered through visitor exit surveys administered to 200 respondents, direct observation of site conditions along popular game drive routes and at the Wikki Warm Springs facility, and interviews with reserve management staff. Visitor profiles reveal that the majority are domestic tourists from North East and North Central states, with an increasing share of corporate and educational group visits. Visitor concentration at Wikki Warm Springs was identified as a critical pressure point, with visitor densities exceeding recommended guidelines on peak weekends. The physical carrying capacity of the main game drive circuit was estimated at 75 vehicles per day, while the effective carrying capacity, incorporating ecological sensitivity and visitor experience standards, was calculated at 48 vehicles per day. Current daily visitor volumes on peak days were found to exceed the effective capacity threshold. The study recommends staggered entry scheduling, expansion of secondary visitor attractions to distribute pressure, and the adoption of a formal carrying capacity management plan. These findings directly inform the Bauchi State government's ongoing Yankari revitalization strategy. Keywords: carrying capacity, visitor profile, Yankari Game Reserve, North East Nigeria, ecotourism management