Maiko National Park

Maiko National Park is a large protected area in the Democratic Republic of the Congo that covers extensive tracts of lowland and montane rainforest and biodiversity-rich habitat. The park is biologically important for several endemic and threatened species and contains rugged, often inaccessible terrain.

The area is largely roadless and remote; scientific surveys and conservation work have been impeded by logistical difficulties and regional insecurity. As a result, many parts of the park remain little-studied and access for visitors is generally restricted or inadvisable without formal guidance and security arrangements.

Maiko was designated as a national park to protect its forests and wildlife; it has been the focus of international conservation attention because of its species and the conservation challenges posed by remoteness and human pressures. Park management history includes periods of limited on-the-ground presence due to conflict and resource constraints.

The park lies in the northeastern DRC within Tshopo and adjacent provinces, spanning lowland Congo Basin forest and rising to mountain zones; it is inland from the Congo River basin and distant from major urban centres, making it one of the country’s most remote protected areas.

• Access and safety: Remote terrain combined with a history of armed conflict mean formal tourist access is limited and visits require coordination with DRC authorities.
• Biodiversity importance: The park contains both lowland and montane rainforest habitats and is important for populations of eastern lowland gorilla and other large mammals, though surveys are incomplete.

Maiko National Park is extremely remote and not served by regular public transport. The usual access is via Kisangani (Tshopo) by river boat on the Congo/Tshopo waterways or by chartered aircraft to airstrips on the park periphery. Overland travel is difficult; visits normally require an organised expedition, local guides and permits from Congolese authorities.

• Contact the park administration or a reputable local operator before you go - Maiko National Park is remote and visits require permits, an approved guide, and up-to-date security advice.
• Plan your trip for the local dry season when forest tracks and river crossings are more likely to be passable; during the wet season many routes become impassable and logistics become much harder.
• Don't attempt independent travel into the park: arrange a guided visit with experienced rangers or NGOs so you can access wildlife-rich areas safely and legally - ad hoc visits are unsafe and commonly restricted.