Maiko national park

 

Maiko National Park is a national park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It lies in one of the most remote forest areas of the country and covers 10,885 km2. it is divided into three sectors, straddling the states of Nord Kivu, Province Orientale and Maniema.

he MNP was created in 1970 by Decree no. 70-312, dated 20 November 1970, and covers an area of 10,830 km² within three provinces: Orientale, Maniema and North-Kivu. The park was gazetted primarily to protect a block of swamp forest.

 

Attractions and activities

Wildlife viewing: it has variety of animals like elephants, okapis. Congo peacocks, eastern chimpanzee many of which are not discovered.

 

Bird watching: the park is largely covered by tropical rainforest and is crossed by baby river Oslo and river lindi which are home and breeding to forest bird species like broad bills, pitas, sparrows kingfishers which are seen while on nature walks.

 

Nature walks: these fascinating walks take you through the thickly forested wilderness of the park and on the  river banks of river Oslo and lindi

 

Accommodation options

 

Maiko national park has got very limited accommodation; most times travellers are advised to come with their camping gears and camp within the villages

 

How to get to the park

Getting to the park is hard but from Goma, Benin or butembo, you can use a 515km route from kisagani town which leads to a small village within the park from bafwasende.

the dense forest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is only accessible via a 4×4 road that connects Bafwasende to a few hamlets inside the park. There are other ways to get to Maiko National Park, but these require a four-wheel-drive safari jeep, and it is not advisable for people from other countries to take this risky journey.

 

 

Best time to visit the park

Travelers can explore Maiko National Park all year long while on a Congo safari vacation with a reputable Congo tour operator while in the Rwenzori highlands.