Lomami National Park is one of the newest national parks in Congo, established by Prime Minister Augustine Matata Ponyo on the 7th of July 2016. This was the first park to be established in Congo since 1970. Lomami National Park covers an area of 8,874 square kilometers.
The park is a true African jungle gem situated in an area that used to be the largest forest block in Congo, between the Lualaba and Tshuapa rivers.
The park is characterized by tropical lowland forests, Savannah islands, and riverine forests. The existence of the park came through a collaboration of the ICCN, Congolese army, Lukuru Foundation, Wild Cat Foundation, and many more.
When the park was founded, there were hardly any roads to penetrate the forest, no agricultural activities, or any human settlement except for poachers and hunters.
Safari Activities in Lomami
Bonobos, Congo giraffes, Lesula monkeys, forest elephants, okapi, red colobus monkeys, dryas monkeys (also known as 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, to mention a few.
Lomami National Park is home to 275 species of birds recorded so far, and the research is still ongoing. Some of the examples of birds 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, to mention a few.
Fishing is one of the most common activities at Lomami National Park; tourists can fish from one of the rivers within the park, such as the Lualaba River or Lomami River, or join the villagers to fish in dug-out ponds near their villages for a unique experience.
Boat cruises are another way to explore Lomami National Park. Tourists can encounter the park’s flora and fauna on a boat cruise, spotting various wildlife quenching their thirst from the riverbanks, and lots of water birds can be seen. A boat cruise can also end up with a picnic lunch that can be enjoyed in the bush.
Cultural Encounters
Lomami National Park is surrounded by villages in which seven ethnic groups of people live, such as the Mituku and Mbole. These people have lived at the edges of the park, using it as a hunting ground for several years.
You can learn about their hunting experiences and ways of life, as well as listen to ancient stories of the forest people, not forgetting to buy handmade crafts like masks to take home as souvenirs.
Getting There
The park is new with fewer accommodations; most tourists camp with their own tents. Lomami National Park can be visited all year round, but the best time is in the dry season from June to August.
The park is located in a remote area, so the roads are not good during the rainy season, as they may become impassable. You will need a four-wheel-drive vehicle.