The okapi lives in the northeastern corner of the Democratic Republic of Congo. On a plateau between the watershed of the Congo Basin to the west and the mountain range of the Albertine Rift to the east, lies the Ituri tropical rain forest. This biologically diverse region, contains an exceptionally rich bird and mammal fauna, including the endemic okapi.
The elevation within the forest ranges from approximately 600 m above sea level in the southwest to 900 m in the northeast.
An average 1700mm of rain falls each year and contributes to streams like the Ituri river, flowing through this
region. The forest has two rainy seasons, March through May and August through November. During December - February it goes through a dry season. Still it will rain almost every day. The heaviest rains occur in April, October and early November. It is during these months that streams will flood, making it almost impossible to travel long distances in the forest itself.
Temperatures range between 21°C and 32°C.
The average daily temperature is 24°C creating a mild climate.
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Democratic Republic of Congo
Surface Area: 2.345.410 km2
Population: 66.514.504
Independence: 1960
Capital: Kinshasa
Ethnic groups: 200
Official language: French
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Ituri Forest
Surface Area: 175,000 km2
Partners: ICCN, WCS, GIC, SI
Protected areas: 1 (13.700 km2)
Biodiversity Plants: 121 plant families containing 1192 species
Large mammals:
62 (forest) Birds: 312 (forest) |
Okapi Wildlife Reserve
Surface Area: 13.700 km2
Population: 20.000-30.000
Okapi population: about 5000
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