Maiko National Park is one of the unmissable tourist destinations in Africa, found in the remote regions of Democratic Republic of Congo. This is one of the ecologically rich natural habitats in the Continent and offers shelter to one of rarest creatures on Earth (Eastern lowland gorillas that are only found in Congo).
Size and location of Maiko National Park
Maiko National Park is nestled within one of the remotest forest areas of Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a stone throw from Bukavu Town within the Great western Rift Valley region and south of the beautiful Lake Kivu. The Park is approximately 515 kilometers to the north-west of Kisangani and at the great westward corner of River Congo. The Protected Area extends for about 1,088,500 hectares from Oso River northwards to Lindi River and is divided into three magnificent sectors that are adjacent to the Maniema, Nord Kivu and Province Orientale States.
History of Maiko National Park
The area where this Protected Area sits was first established as “Bakuma Hunting Reserve” in 1949 and this was done to reduce the over exploitation of mineral resources instead of protecting Mother nature as well as wildlife species. It is after the Presidential decree of 20th November 1970 that the National Park was finally gazetted as a fully-fledged Nature Protection Area. Like most National Parks in the Democratic Republic of Congo, this Park is now managed by Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN).
Highlights
Animals
Maiko National Park is a stronghold for three of DRC’s iconic endemic wildlife species that include the Eastern lowland gorillas (gorilla beringei graueri) with about 800 individuals, Congo peafowl and Okapi. However, travellers are introduced to the endemic aquatic genets, African forest elephants, owl-faced (or Hamlyn’s monkeys),Congo Bay owls, the endangered Eastern chimpanzees, L’Hoests monkeys, Itombwe golden frogs, leopards, lions, Bongo, African forest buffaloes, yellow-backed duikers and many others.
Birds in Maiko National Park
Besides the Congo peafowl, Maiko National Park also shelters the secretary birds, Turacos, cattle egrets, pied and malachite kingfishers, double-collared sunbirds, Sparrows, Itombwe nightjar, yellow-crested helmetshrike, Rockefeller’s sunbirds, little egrets, handsome francolin, Prigogine’s greenbul, Broadbills, Herons and many others.
Lowland gorilla trekking
It would interest you to know that Maiko National Park is haven to over 800 Eastern lowland gorillas and therefore it is possible to undertake treks to encounter some of the habituated gorillas in this magnificent Protected Area. Most travellers who trek these exceptional gorilla species do it in Kahuzi-Biega National Park and therefore the ones that opt for Maiko National Park enjoy exclusivity and seclusion. Get your permit at $400 and spend your one hour interacting with one of the country’s endemic wildlife species.
Bird Watching
This Park is known for being one of the few places to see the Congo peafowls, although birding tours introduce visitors to the cattle egrets, pied and malachite kingfishers, double-collared sunbirds, Sparrows, Itombwe nightjar, yellow-crested helmetshrike, Rockefeller’s sunbirds and many others.
Wildlife viewing
Maiko National Park boasts of untouched vegetation cover that shelters a wide range of animals and for your Congo tours, don’t hesitate to take part in Wildlife viewing where the African forest elephants, owl-faced (or Hamlyn’s monkeys), Congo Bay owls, the endangered Eastern chimpanzees, L’Hoests monkeys, Itombwe golden frogs, leopards, lions, Bongo, African forest buffaloes, Okapi and many others are encountered.
Guided nature walks/hiking
For travellers who aren’t afraid of getting off-the-beaten-track to explore the deep beauty of Mother Nature should book for guided walks/hiking in Maiko National Park. Search through the densely forested wilderness, the banks of Rivers Lindi and Oso.
Sightseeing and photography
The remote Protected Area is endowed with breathtaking sceneries marked by dense Equatorial rainforests as well as pristine River banks. While relishing the sceneries, also look-out for the different bird species, listen to the sweet melodies of the wilderness and many other unforgettable moments in the Park.
How do i get there ?
By Road
It is recommended to travel with 4WD Vehicle because some part of the Road passes through remote areas especially from Bafwasende and with a distance of about 515 kilometers from Kisangani Town.
By Flight
Maiko National Park in the East of Democratic Republic of Congo can be accessed by air.