• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Map
• Reference and further resources

Site description (2001 baseline)
Maiko is a large, remote area of dense, humid primary tropical forest in eastern DR Congo bordered by many rivers. The northern part forms the southernmost area of the huge Ituri Forest. The eastern part, up to the Lindi river, is relatively flat (about 1,000 m); eastwards the relief increases. Several rivers rise in a few low mountains to the east, south and north. The vegetation is tall, closed, evergreen lowland rainforest, with a few patches of secondary forest where settlements have been established. Rainfall in the park is amongst the highest in the country, with maxima in October and November and a somewhat drier season in July and August. The area has few human inhabitants, but small settlements are scattered within the park. Access to the park is difficult and tourists are not allowed because of the presence of rebels.

Key biodiversity
See Box and Table 3 for key species. The park holds an important population of Afropavo congensis.

Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals of global conservation concern include Gorilla gorilla graueri (EN) (estimated at 350–1,000 individuals in 1996), Pan troglodytes (EN) (4,000–5,900), Okapia johnstoni (LR/nt) (2,300–4,300), Loxodonta africana (EN) (5,500–7,500), Cercopithecus hamlyni (LR/nt) and C. l’hoesti (LR/nt).

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Maiko National Park (Congo, The Democratic Republic of the). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/maiko-national-park-iba-congo-the-democratic-republic-of-the on 23/12/2024.