Bauchi state is endowed with a range of tourist attraction that captures and satiates the pleasure and sensibilities of visitors. The state if the proud home of the famous Yankari Game reserve, with its rich variety of flora and fauna as well as species of animals. As Nigeria’s Premier Game Reserve, it was opened to the public in December 1962. the Game Reserve, Just 110km south of Bauchi town covers an area of 2,244sq km, houses species of wild animals and birds such as baboons, rhinos, giraffes and lions that can easily be viewed by visitors.

Wikki Warm Spring
Another attraction in the park is the Wikki Warm spring, which has a constant temperature of 31 call year round. The spring gushes water out from underneath a limestone escapement surrounded by vegetation that boosts the ecology of the warm spring. With the recent take-over of the Game Reserve from the Federal Government and the unparalled commitment of the Mu’azu administration to its total transformation, the standard of the Reserve is being upgraded to world-class status, comparable to other Reserves elsewhere in the World. The sole aim is to make it a pleasurable delight to visitors, both foreign and local, thus boosting the tourism industry, the economy and the level of social interaction in the state.

Another Game Reserve that is being developed is Sumu Wildlife park in Ganjuwa Local Government. Other places of interest that abound in the state are the palaces in the six emirates, the Lame/Burra Game Reserve, the first Mining Beacon in Nigeria, Located at Tilden Fulani in Toro Local Government, Babban Gwani at Kafin Madaki in Ganjuwa Local Government, Panshanu stone heaps (Kwandon Kaya) in Toro Local Government and Shadawanka rock paintings in Bauchi Local Government. These are historical relics that are marvelous to behold. Geji Rock Paintings in Toro Local Government, Shira Rock Paintings (Dutsen Damisa) in Shira Local Government and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Tomb Complex (the tomb of Nigeria’s first Prime Minister) in Bauchi Local Government are some of the National Monuments existing in Bauchi State

CULTURE
Bauchi State is heterogeneous. This reflects on the people that make up the state. The common feature that makes up the various ethnic groups is thie strong attachment to music, dance culture and performance at festivals, naming ceremonies and religious rituals.

The outstanding festivals include Durbar whose main feature is horse racing. The durbar features the parade of horses from the Eid-prayer ground to the palace of the traditional rulers where the horse-racing and other display of horse manship takes place.

Other festivals are the Kyaro war dance performed by the Warji ethnic groups, Afizere dance a traditional dance of the Jarawa people of Toro Local Government, Takai dance which is popular among the Hausa-Fulanis, Ngat-al-Bajar dance popular among the people of Dass Local Government, Lawurba dance peculiar to Sayawa people of Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro Local Governments, and Amanya, a naming ceremony festival among the Badawa people in Zaki Local Government.

The people of Bauchi State are know for their traditional wrestling and boxing dexterity, which attracts participants even from neighbouring countries of Niger, Chad and Cameroon Republics. The traditional wrestling is know as Kokowa while the traditional boxing is called Dambe.

Aside these festivals, the state also holds the Bauchi State Festival of Arts and Culture (BAFEST). This annual event is held among Local governments. It includes a display of various traditions of the people of the state in the fields of traditional dances, music, arts, crafts, and fashion designs, as well as inventions and innovations.

A list of cultural festivals in Bauchi State is as follows:-

ARTS AND CRAFTS
Aside cultural festivities, bauchi state is known for its arts and crafts which include beautiful embroidered caps and gowns (known as babbanriga), fibre craft, and decorated calabashes. It is also very versatile in the production of metal works (such as weaponry), agricultural tools, pottery, and leather works. The leather works include the production of sitting poufs, bags, footwaers, footballs, etc.

Mat weaving is also a common craft in several Local Government Areas like Zaki, Ningi, Misau, etc.

SPORTS
The place of Bauchi state in sports development in Nigeria is legendary, particularly from 1999 to date. The state boasts of state- of – the – art facilities of worl class standard. The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium was one of the venues for the Under 22 World Youth Football finals, tagged Nigeria 99.

The very spacious and well tended indoor multipurpose stadium is a veritable training ground for various sporting activities. This has produced a variety of athletes, sportsmen and women that have creditably represented the State and won laurels that have made the state proud.