Birding in Okapi Faunal Reserve: Okapi Faunal Reserve is famous for its extraordinary biodiversity, including its namesake, the okapi, 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 reserve harbors a variety of wildlife species, including forest elephants, chimpanzees, leopards, and over 380 different species of birds including the rare Yellow-legged Weaver and Golden-napped Weaver among others.
Okapi Faunal Reserve is the dominant home to a variety of astonishing tree species including; Cynometra alexandri, Julbernardia seretii, and Gilbertiodendron dewevrei, and these act as great homes to the various bird species in the destination.
This is why the reserve is ranked as one of the top important birding destinations in the DRC, whereby thousands of sightseers choose to come and have a glance at the numerous bird species in the destination
Below are some of the bird species that are found in the reserve that you are most likely to encounter as you carry out your birding safaris in the democratic republic of Congo.
List of birds that can be spotted in Okapi Faunal Reserve
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. These are some of the major birds that sightseers are yet to witness while at Okapi National Reserve on a birding safari.
The birding safari may also tend to get more interesting as sightseers get to witness Other species of birds found in Okapi Wildlife Reserve such as; Black-winged Pratincole, Bateleur, African Wood Owl, Speckled Mousebird, Bar-tailed Trogon, Crowned Hornbill, Cassin’s Honeybird, 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 Twinspot, 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 among many more.
Other safari activities.
While at Okapi National Reserve sightseers have a lot of safari activities they can get involved in as they get to know and understand better the destination these activities will give further knowledge about the reserve and its beauty and these include;
Wildlife viewing
The reserve is home is also home to numerous wildlife such as; 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. All this can be witnessed by sightseers as they get to have a wildlife viewing through the national park.
Nature walks.
Visitors can also carry out nature walks through the national reserve as they get to view different species, these nature walks are led by well-trained safari guides who take you through lush vegetation, scenic trails, and tranquil streams, providing opportunities to appreciate the reserve’s breathtaking natural beauty and diverse ecosystems.
Community visit
While on birding adventures sightseers can get to also engage in community walks which permit them to have access to the local people’s cultural norms and also understand more about their day today life.
Packing list for Congo birding safari in Okapi Faunal Reserve
There are some basic things that sightseers should not forget to carry along while they get ready to venture into the Great Okapi National Reserve and these are some of the items to pack to the national park; a 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.
Accommodation safari in Okapi Faunal Reserve
While in the country sightseers have numerous accommodations to stay in while on a safari at the national reserve and these accommodations range from mid-range, luxury, and budget Some of these include 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.
