Lomami National Park

Lomami National Park spans roughly 8,879 square kilometers of tropical lowland rainforest, with open savanna islands dotting the south and hills rising in the west. This varied terrain creates different habitats for wildlife throughout the protected area.

The park received official designation in July 2016, becoming the country's ninth national park. This designation marked a major expansion of protected forest areas in the region after more than two decades without new parks.

Communities surrounding the park, including Lengola, Mbole, Mituku, and Langa peoples, continue to live by farming, hunting, and fishing as they have for generations. These daily practices remain central to how people connect with the land and forest around them.

Visiting requires planning with local guides since basic facilities are limited and infrastructure is minimal throughout the park. Kindu serves as the main gateway and jumping-off point for expeditions into the area.

The Lomami River acts as a natural barrier that has shaped how animal populations evolved, creating genetically distinct groups of bonobos and other primates on different sides. Visitors can observe how this geographic division influences the different creatures found throughout the forest.