Lake Upemba, Lake in Bukama, Democratic Republic of Congo
Lake Upemba lies in the Bukama territory of Haut-Lomami Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, within the marshy basin formed by the Lualaba River northwest of the Bia Mountains. It is part of Upemba National Park and, together with about fifty other lakes, belongs to the Kamalondo Depression. Lake Kisale lies nearby, and the nearest town is Nyonga.
The area around the lake has been inhabited for over 2,000 years and was once connected to the Luba Kingdom, which ruled parts of Central Africa from the 1500s to the 1800s. The Upemba National Park, which surrounds the lake, was established in 1939 to protect the region's wildlife and land.
The lake sits in a remote area, so it is worth planning ahead and carrying enough supplies for the trip. A local guide is strongly recommended for navigating the wetlands and reaching the lake safely.
Mitala Island, one of the floating islands, holds an informal refugee settlement formed by fighting between Mai-Mai rebels and government troops since 2006. The nearest hospital lies four hours away in Kikondja, and the closest town is Nyonga.
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