Maiko National Park is situated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Maiko National Park stands in one of the most remote tropical rainforest zones in the country. Maiko National Park occupies approximately 10,885 square kilometers that are subdivided into three sectors. Maiko National Park spreads across the northern states of Kivu, Maniema, and Province Orientale. Click here to view mountain gorilla trekking safaris.

 Maiko national park protects the Democratic Republic of the Congo from spectacular endemic animals like the eastern lowland gorilla, the Congo peacock, the okapi, and other animals like forest elephants and leopards living in the dense tropical rain forests. Maiko National Park accommodates numerous endemic and rare species. Click here to view our recommended mountain gorilla trekking tour.

Maiko National Park is under the management of ICCN; however, the park rangers were lied to due to rebels. ICCN is responsible for issuing gorilla permits to travelers to Maiko National Park. In practice, the ICCN office is located in Kisangani, and a gorilla permit costs $400 to visit Maiko National Park.

 Maiko National Park is only accessible by one road, which is the 44. The road to Maiko National Park starts from Bafwasende and leads to some small villages within the park. This road has a number of steep slopes that are only accessible to experienced drivers. 

 Before thinking about visiting Maiko National Park, make sure you are aware of the current security situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Note that the security situation in Congo is unpredictable and can change at any time.

Gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking in Maiko National Park in Congo takes tourists to see eastern lowland gorillas that are endemic to only the Democratic Republic of Congo. Gorilla trekking can be done in Kahuzi Biega National Park and in Maiko National Park to view eastern lowland gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Maiko National Park, Congo, allows tourists to experience a number of other wildlife, such as primates like chimpanzees, endemic Okapi, and red-tailed monkeys, among others.

Tourists need to buy gorilla trekking permits to be accepted to participate in gorilla trekking in Maiko National Park. Recently, however, gorilla trekking in Maiko was on hold after a gorilla attacked a tourist. Gorilla trekking will be reopened when the eastern lowland gorillas are found fully habituated. Tourists should opt for the eastern lowland gorillas of Kahuzi Biega National Park.

Wildlife Viewing

Wildlife viewing in Maiko National Park can be done through taking game drives for an opportunity to see wildlife species in the park. Unlimited game drives in Maiko National Park allow tourists to view wildlife species like the endemic okapi, forest elephants, Congo peafowl, leopards, and aquatic species, among others.

Bird watching in Maiko National Park

Maiko National Park offers various bird species; bird watching is another amazing activity to do at Maiko National Park. Bird watching can be combined with wildlife viewing on an unlimited game drive or on a nature walk on designated trekking trails. Embarking on a bird-watching safari in Maiko National Park takes tourists to see bird species such as kingfishers, sparrows, pitas, herons, and Ruwenzori Turaco.

Nature walks in Maiko National Park

Maiko National Park offers a perfectly thick forested area that encompasses a beautiful place to encounter nature walks. Nature walks in Maiko National Park are so rewarding, and tourists get to discover and learn more about this park, such as the abundant wildlife in the park. Nature walks in Maiko National Park take tourists to the forest, along the river banks of Oslo and River Lindi, filled with hippos, aquatic animals, and bird species. 

Accessing Maiko is not easy. Tourists can use some routes from Goma, Benin, or Butembo to get to the park. Maiko National Park is approximately 515 kilometers from Kisangani town. Maiko National Park is not so developed, and the lodging options are therefore limited. Most tourists who visit the Maiko National Park mostly stay in communities nearby or are requested to carry their camping equipment, which can be used in the designated camping areas within the park.

Maiko National Park can be toured all year long. The Democratic Republic of Congo lies along the Equator; the climate is both humid and hot in the river basin as well as cool and dry in the south. Tourists should expect rain at any time of the year since Mariko National Park is a forested area so it can receive rainfall at any time.