Okapi Wildlife Reserve Réserve de faune à okapis
Democratic Republic of the Congo UNESCO World Heritage Site
Established in 1992, the Okapi Wildlife Reserve is a faunal reserve covering 13,726 square kilometers in the Ituri Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Planning a visit
The reserve experiences high rainfall throughout the year, with the driest conditions occurring in January and February. During these months, average highs reach 28 °C to 29 °C, while rainy days drop to between 7 and 11 days per month. From March through November, rainfall is significantly heavier, often exceeding 20 days of rain per month. Temperatures remain relatively stable year-round, typically ranging from lows of 18 °C to 20 °C to highs of 26 °C to 29 °C.
Matari Airport in Isiro is the nearest airport, located 137 kilometers away. Bangoka International Airport in Kisangani serves as a further hub at a distance of 390 kilometers. The reserve is 1,625 kilometers from the capital, Kinshasa.
Weather by month
The warmest month is February, with an average high of 29 °C. Rain is spread fairly evenly through the year.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 29 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 |
| Average low, °C | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
| Rainfall, mm | 72 | 94 | 157 | 196 | 183 | 164 | 186 | 228 | 201 | 222 | 189 | 108 |
| Rainy days | 7 | 11 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 21 | 21 | 24 | 27 | 29 | 26 | 12 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for this spot (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
