Lomami National Park is one of the newest and most ecologically significant protected areas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Officially established in 2016, it spans approximately 8,874 square kilometers across the provinces of Tshuapa, Maniema, and Tshopo. As part of the greater Congo Basin rainforest, Lomami is a biodiversity hotspot, home to unique wildlife, including species that are found nowhere else on Earth.

Unlike more famous parks, Lomami remains virtually unexplored by tourists, offering one of Africa’s last true wilderness frontiers.

Brief History of Lomami National Park

Lomami National Park was created following years of biological surveys and conservation efforts led by the Lukuru Foundation and Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN). These efforts documented previously unknown species, including the lesula monkey (Cercopithecus lomamiensis), which played a pivotal role in drawing international attention to the area’s biodiversity.

The park was gazetted in 2016, making it the first new national park created in the DRC in over four decades. Its creation marked a major victory for community-led conservation and the protection of the Congo’s central rainforest.

What to Do at Lomami National Park

Lomami is still in the early stages of eco-tourism development, so it is currently most accessible to scientists, researchers, and adventurous conservationists. That said, the park holds immense promise for future nature-based tourism.

1. Wildlife Viewing
Lomami supports a remarkable variety of Central African wildlife, including:

Lesula monkey – endemic to this region and only identified in 2007

Bonobos – our closest great ape relatives, found in the southern forest

Okapi – rare forest giraffes endemic to the DRC

Forest elephants, bongo antelope, giant pangolins, and leopards

The park is one of the few places in Africa where bonobos and okapi coexist.

2. Bird Watching
With its diverse habitats—rivers, swamps, and dense forests—Lomami is a birder’s paradise, with over 300 bird species recorded, including:

Congo peafowl

Turacos and hornbills

African grey parrots

3. Botanical Exploration
Lomami’s forests contain hundreds of plant species, many used in traditional medicine and some potentially unknown to science.

4. Cultural Interaction
The region is home to indigenous communities who have lived in harmony with the forest for generations. Conservation here is deeply tied to local customs, making Lomami a model for community-based conservation.

How to Get to Lomami National Park

Getting to Lomami is logistically challenging and requires coordination with ICCN or NGOs operating in the area.

From Kinshasa:
Fly to Kindu, Kisangani, or Lodja (depending on your access point).

Travel overland via 4×4 vehicles, boats, and foot paths to reach the park’s interior. Some expeditions use dugout canoes to navigate rivers.

Note: Due to limited infrastructure and fluctuating security conditions, all visits should be pre-arranged with conservation organizations or local authorities.

Accommodations at Lomami National Park

Tourist accommodations are not yet available, but arrangements can be made through partnering organizations.

1. Research Camps and Conservation Outposts
Operated by the Lukuru Foundation and ICCN

Provide basic shelter, meals, and logistics for researchers and conservation staff

2. Camping
Wilderness camping may be possible with proper permissions

Visitors must bring their own gear and supplies

Nearby towns such as Katako-Kombe or Opala may offer very basic lodging before entering the park region.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to access Lomami National Park is during the dry seasons:

June to August

December to February

During these months, roads and footpaths are more passable, and river levels are manageable for travel.

Conservation Significance of Lomami National Park
Lomami is among the most biologically unique and least disturbed rainforests in Africa. Its creation has:

Protected vital habitats for threatened species like bonobos and okapi

Helped conserve watersheds and forest ecosystems critical for climate stability

Empowered local communities through conservation incentives and education

Created a wildlife corridor connecting other important areas of the Congo Basin

Why Visit or Support Lomami National Park?

To explore one of the world’s last great rainforest frontiers

To support community-based conservation

To encounter species found nowhere else, like the lesula monkey

To contribute to scientific discovery and wildlife protection

Lomami National Park is not just a destination—it’s a conservation milestone. While tourism is still developing, the park stands as a symbol of hope for Congo’s natural heritage and a beacon for future eco-tourism in Central Africa.