Why are the rivers and streams of the Ituri Forest difficult to navigate?

The rivers and streams of the Ituri Forest are generally not navigable, even by small boats such as pirogues, for more than a few miles. This lack of navigability is primarily due to the nature of the water flow and the environmental conditions of the region.

The streams are fed by highly variable rainfall, which fluctuates significantly from month to month and year to year. During the dry season, which typically lasts from December through February, the smaller forest streams often dry up entirely. Conversely, during periods of heavy rain, such as in October and early November, the rivers frequently overflow their banks, causing extensive flooding throughout the forest.1