Description: If you find yourself in Epulu, and you're not just passing through, one of the main reasons you're here is probably to visit the Okapi Reserve. Just as the name says, it is a vast area of land designed to help maintain and protect the okapi population. It is not quite a national park, but is probably as close to a national park as you can get.
What puts Epulu on the map is a capture station where they keep several okapis in pens for research. Each pen looks to be about a half acre or larger in size, with one okapi in each pen. There are approximately 8 okapis at the capture station. Some local pygmies are hired to help run the capture station, some going into the forests to fetch specific food for the okapis, and others maintaining the grounds. The tours are very one-on-one, so ask as many questions as you want. The guides are more than happy to help you, as they love having visitors.
When you visit the capture station, you will first be given a brief overview of how the operation works, such as how the okapis are fed, what is studied, etc. Afterwards, you will then be allowed to enter a pen with an okapi, and pet it. Be very careful, though, as I had a near-tragic experience in the pen. Story-time...
The night before my visit, there was a tremendous lightning storm that knocked down several trees in the capture station area. So, as a result, the morning of my visit the groundskeepers were busy cutting up fallen trees with chain-saws. This loud sound made all the okapis very skittish and nervous...more nervous than normal.
When I first entered the pen, I noticed the keeper was having a somewhat difficult time calming down the okapi so I could approach. But, he did get it calm and stable, and then I approached. But, as soon as I stood next to the okapi it walked away. Not thinking, I walked in it's direction, approaching it from it's back. I must have gotten too close to it's hind legs, because before I knew it the okapi had done a defensive kick towards me with it's hind legs. Luckily, it only grazed my upper legs. Had it been one or two inches closer, it would have kicked me directly on my femur...most likely breaking it as the okapi is about the size of a small horse.
Because of this incident, I was escorted out of the cage, and was told to return later in the day when the okapis were more settled. I did this, returned later in the day, and was able to pet the okapi with no problem. However, my body language and facial expression in that picture look as if I am scared for my life. You will not see that picture on IgoUgo.
The cost to enter the capture station is a mere $5 USD. This will include a guide who will stay with you for your entire trip (including if you are staying at the lodge), and give you a tour of both the capture station and village of Epulu. If you visit pygmies in the area, he will take you there, too.
There are possible 4x4 trips deep into the reserve, though you must go to Nia Nia to arrange such a trip.
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