Birding in Okapi Wildlife Reserve : Okapi Wildlife Reserve is located in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, covering an area of approximately 13,700 square kilometers (5,300 square miles). The Okapi Wildlife Reserve is a huge tract of moist semi-evergreen lowland forest, with swamp-forest and, along roads, secondary forest. Part of the large Ituri Forest, Okapi lies between approximately 1°N in the south, 28°E in the west, the Nepoko river in the north, and the Mambassa–Andudu road in the east. The Ituri and the Epulu are the main rivers. The Okapi Wildlife Reserve was founded in 1992 and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. The reserve, which is located in the Ituri forest near the Uganda-South Sudan border.
Okapi Wildlife Reserve is famous for its extraordinary biodiversity, including its namesake, the okapi, which is a rare and uncommon forest-dwelling mammal related to the giraffe. The reserve also harbors a variety of other wildlife species, including forest elephants, chimpanzees, leopards, the reserve is also a home to over 380 different species of birds including the rare Yellow-legged Weaver and Golden-naped Weaver among others
The land covering the reserves is gently undulating with some higher hills in the north. Okapi Wildlife reserve is dominant a variety of astonishing tree species include Cynometra alexandri, Julbernardia seretii and Gilbertiodendron dewevrei. The reserve is one of the largest tracts of intact forest remaining on the rim of the Congo basin. The forest is also a home of the hunter-gatherer Mbuti and Efé pygmies. However, due to commercial bush meat and civil war upheaval, it is becoming impossible to keep the populations of animals up, and many have significantly decreased.
List of birds that can be spotted in Okapi Wildlife Reserve
During birding safari in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, you will have a great opportunity to spot some of the different wildlife species including the okapi and the chimpanzee. The part is an exceptional birding destination spot with a variety of habitants, you will be captivated with different bird species such as Congo peafowl, Great Crested Grebe, White-naped Dove, Long-tail Nightjar, Common Swift, African Emerald Cuckoo, Nkulengu Rail, Great Blue Turaco, and Spur-winged Lapwing which is also part of the Ituri forest.
Other species of birds found in Okapi Wildlife Reserve include Black-winged Pratincole, Bateleur, African Wood Owl, Speckled Mousebird, Bar-tailed Trogon, Crowned Hornbill, Cassin’s Honey bird, Cardinal Woodpecker, Black Bee-eater, Lilac-breasted Roller, Shining Blue Kingfisher, Grey Parrot, Red-headed Lovebird, African Broadbill, African Pitta, Mountain Oriole, White-spotted Wattle-eye, Albertine Sooty Boubou, Fork-tailed Drongo, Blue-headed Paradise Flycatcher, Collared Sunbird, Fan-tailed Widowbird, Brown Twin spot, Pin-tailed Whydah, African Pipit, Senegal Canary, Dusky Tit, Western Nicator, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Whistling Cisticola, Lesser Swamp Warbler, Red-rumped Swallow, Slender-billed Greenbul, Tit Hylia.
Packing list for Birding in Okapi Wildlife Reserve
The essentials to consider on your Congo birding safari in Okapi Wildlife Reserve such as birds guidebook, a pair of binoculars for spotting small and distant species, good camera with good lens and enough storage , enough drinking water and snacks, sunglasses, strong waterproof hiking boots, long stocks, walking stick, long-sleeved shirts to protect your hands from being scratched, a hat, rain jacket and a sweater , backpack, first aid kit ,long trouser because you will be walking through the jungles with unpleasant vegetation among others.
What are other activities a visitor can participate while on a birding safari in Okapi Wildlife Reserve?
Well! The reserve offers a lot of astonishing activities besides bird watching such as wildlife viewing, camping, nature walks, and also community tours among others explained below;
Wildlife viewing
As mentioned it early, Okapi Wildlife Reserve is famous for its extraordinary biodiversity, including its namesake, the okapi, which is a rare and uncommon forest-dwelling mammal related to the giraffe. The reserve also harbors a variety of other wildlife species, including forest elephants, chimpanzees, leopards, giant forest hogs, water chevrotain, forest buffaloes, golden cats, forest antelopes, giant pangolins, African dwarf crocodiles including the bird’s pieces. Visitors during a Congo wildlife safari well get a chance to see all this fascinating animals roaming in the jungles of the reserve’s forest.
Nature walks.
Nature walks in the reserve is one way the visitors can explore the hidden gems of the reserve, there are tress in the reserve which allow visitors up close interaction with the nature. Guided nature treks in the reserve is one of the best nature experience just like in the Democratic Republic of Congo national parks, the reserve is still blessed with undiluted wilderness. Guided nature walk lead visitors through lush vegetation, scenic trails, and tranquil streams, providing opportunities to appreciate the reserve’s breathtaking natural beauty and diverse ecosystems.
Community visit
Okapi Wildlife Reserve is blessed with exciting native communities whose lifestyles have not been meaningfully disrupted by the global modernity such as the Mbuti and Efe’ pygmies, like the Batwa pygmies in Uganda and Rwanda , have lived in the Ituri forest for thousands of years as forest hunters and fruit gatherers. Cultural tours offer the opportunity to visit Pygmy villages, participate in traditional activities, and gain insights into the indigenous knowledge of the forest and its resources.
Accessing Okapi Wildlife Reserve in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Okapi wildlife reserve in Congo is located along Congo’s border with Uganda and Sudan. The game reserve can be accessed by air from Kinshasha to Bunia and then drive to Epulu. Alternatively, visitors can choose to fly from Kinshasha to Kisangani and drive to Okapi which is about an 8 hours’ drive.
Accommodation safari in Okapi Wildlife Reserve
Travelers planning a Congo safari in Okapi Wildlife Reserve shouldn’t worry about where to sleep on, the reserve offers accommodation facilities for its visitors such as Epulu Lodge, Ituri Forest Lodge, Hotel Kisangani, Vuvuke guest house and Plaza Hotel, camps as well as mobile tented camps and community Guesthouses for visitors who wish to stay with the indigenous communities living near the reserve
