Lomami National Park is one of the newest national parks in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was officially established on 7 July 2016 by Prime Minister Augustine Matata Ponyo. Lomami became the first national park created in Congo since 1970. The park covers a large area of about 8,874 square kilometers.
Lomami National Park is found in a remote part of central Congo, between the Lualaba River and the Tshuapa River. Before it became a national park, this area formed one of the largest untouched forest blocks in the country. The park is known for its thick tropical lowland forests, open Savannah islands, and riverine forests along major rivers.
The creation of Lomami National Park was made possible through teamwork between the ICCN, the Congolese army, the Lukuru Foundation, the Wild Cat Foundation, and other conservation partners. At the time the park was formed, there were almost no roads, no farming activities, and no permanent settlements inside the forest. The only people found in the area were hunters and poachers.
Tour Activities in Lomami National Park
Lomami National Park protects many rare and important wildlife species. Animals found in the park include bonobos, Congo giraffes, forest elephants, okapi, and lesula monkeys. Other primates include red colobus monkeys, dryas monkeys also called Inoko, Tshuapa red colobus monkeys, Lomami river wolf monkeys, Congo basin wolf monkeys, Sclater’s Angolan colobus monkeys, Katanga red tailed monkeys, northern black mangabeys, yellow nosed red tailed monkeys, Lomami river red tailed monkeys, and De Brazza’s monkeys.
Birdlife in Lomami National Park is also impressive. So far, 275 bird species have been recorded, and research is still continuing. Some birds seen in the park include African grey parrots, Congo peafowls, shining blue kingfishers, blue breasted bee eaters, crested guinea fowls, Cassin’s spintails, blue swallows, black goshawks, croaking cisticolas, Johanna’s sunbirds, and pale crowned cisticolas.
Fishing is one of the common activities in Lomami National Park. Visitors can fish in rivers such as the Lomami River and Lualaba River. Tourists can also join local villagers to fish in dug out ponds near their villages.
Boat cruises are another way to explore Lomami National Park. While on the river, visitors may see animals drinking water along the banks and many water birds. Some boat trips can end with a picnic lunch in the forest.
Cultural Encounters & Access
Several villages surround Lomami National Park, home to groups such as the Mituku and Mbole. Visitors can learn about their way of life, hunting traditions, and forest stories. Handmade crafts like masks can also be bought as souvenirs.
Lomami National Park has limited accommodation, so most visitors camp with their own tents. The park can be visited all year, but the best time is during the dry season from June to August. Roads become very difficult during the rainy season, so a four wheel drive vehicle is required.
