Travel Guide Parc National De La Maïko

The Maïko National Park occupies a large part of the Ituri forest, covering an area of 10,830 km², between the Lubero and Maiko rivers. The best access route - for the daredevil or scientist who dares - seems to be the Mahulu road (south-east of Kisangani or north-west of Bukavu) and requires a very good 4×4 vehicle, an official guide, as well as proper authorization from the ICCN, despite the somewhat chaotic and confused situation that has prevailed around this park for some years now.It is one of the parks that has suffered most from the unrest in the east of the country since the late 1990s. Straddling the provinces of Tshopo, Maniema and Nord-Kivu, it is not currently advisable to visit the park. Not only because of insecurity, but also because the ICCN does not always have reliable information on the fate of the animal population, or on the practical organization of visits. The park is home to three endemic animal species: the okapi, lowland gorillas and the Congolese peacock, which can only be found here, in addition to a population of forest elephants, light-faced chimpanzees and buffalo, and many other species. Fortunately, not all of the park is affected by various troubles (poaching, incursions by armed groups, illegal exploitation of the park's mineral resources, bush fires, and deforestation).Information: ✆ +243 971 327 207 - www.maikonationalpark.com/