Okapi Wildlife Reserve

The Okapi Wildlife Reserve is a large protected forest area in the Ituri region that combines dense rainforest, multiple river systems, and varied habitats. The landscape remains largely undisturbed due to its remote location, allowing diverse species to thrive across different forest zones.

The reserve was established in 1992 with the goal of protecting a threatened animal species from disappearing. It received World Heritage status in 1996, marking its importance for conservation on a global scale.

The Mbuti and Efe peoples have lived in this forest for generations, moving through it using knowledge passed down through families. Their way of life shapes how the reserve functions today and demonstrates a long relationship between people and nature.

Visits require careful planning because the reserve is in a remote area and difficult to access. It is important to arrange things in advance with local guides or authorities to ensure safe and proper entry.

This is one of the few places where you can encounter an animal found almost nowhere else in the world, an animal that also gave its name to the reserve itself. This species remained unknown to the Western world until the early 1900s, when it was first discovered by outsiders.