The reserve was designated on 1 January 1964 and is classed as IUCN category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area).
It has an area of 20,600 square kilometres and includes parts of the prefectures of Salamat, Guéra and Moyen-Chari, and surrounds the Zakouma National Park.
The area plays a very important role for the surrounding wildlife, providing refuge for several species of migratory birds, supporting cheetahs, hippos, elephants and several species of antelope.
It prevents floods, regulates groundwater replenishment, sediment capture and chemical water regulation, and offers the hatching habitat for several fish species.
This Africa protected areas related article is a stub.