Lomami National Park, alternatively known as Parc National de la Lomami is the most recently created national park in Democratic Republic of Congo. Positioned almost in the center of Lomami River basin, the park cuts across the Maniema and Tshopo Provinces. Lomami national park also covers some forest sections of the Lualaba and Tshuapa river basins. This delicate and tiny Park was formally gazetted in July 2016 for the purpose of protecting the rich and rare flora and fauna. Lomami is the 9th national park and latest to be gazette in D.R. Congo since 1992.
The park was established based on the agreement of three parties – the DR Congo government, seven local ethnic groups and the Terese Hart research team. They collaboratively agreed that the area needed to be gazetted to protect the rare and endangered species most of which are racquet and endemic that were at the verge of nearly getting wiped out because of poaching. These included Dryas monkey, Okapi, Congo peacock, bonobos and Lesula monkeys. A tiny percentage of African forest elephants is reportedly being protected in the northern section of the park.
Lomami national park is composed of mainly equatorial rainforest and Savannah grasslands in the south and spectacular hills in the western part. The park is a notable tourist destination in Congo, primarily for the intrepid guests looking for completely off-the-beaten paths and rarely visited places. Its natural gift of rare mammal species, range from primates like dryas monkey, bonobos, Lomami river blue monkeys, Lomami red colobus, northern black mangabeys to rainforest giraffe, African forest elephants and numerous bird species (over 275 species) making this a prime destination to be visited.
Activities in Lomami National Park.
Exhilarating visitor activities can be indulged in when you opt to visit Lomami national park. These include but not limited to;-
Wildlife sighting. A visit to Lomami offers you amazing views of wildlife from extraordinary ones like the African forest elephants found in the northern part, rainforest giraffes and various primates like Katanga red-tailed monkey, northern black mangabeys, Dryas monkey, Lomami river blue monkeys, Sclater’s Angolan colobus and okapi that can be encountered feeding or playing in the Lualaba river basin and Tshuapa forests.
Cultural and community encounters. Just on the fringes of the park, are a handful of local ethnic groups of Ngengele, Lengola, Mbole, Arabise, Langa, Mituki and Tetela. These tribes stay harmoniously in little communal groups where they do most of their activities together; from farming, fishing and hunting. It’s here in these villages that the cultural encounters happen.
Bird watching. Lomami national park is not only home to mammals but also a safe haven to around 275 species birds recorded in this tiny area. These are both residential and migratory species. Bird watching is very delightful and peaceful activity once done in the Lomami national park.
Birders are offered a chance to view beautiful birds such as the Congo peafowl, Atrican grey parrot, Cassin’s Spinetail, shining blue kingfisher, Johanna’s Sunbird, black goshawk, blue breasted Bee-eater, croaking cisticola, crested guinea fowl, pale crowned cisticola among other remarkable species.
Fishing expeditions. Fishing is one of the famous activities not to miss out when in Lomami national park. It is mainly done in traditional dugout canoes and guests are taken out on the Lualaba River to try and catch their own fish species for sport and some for roasting after a long day.
Fishing is a thrilling activity that gives you a chance to have leisure while interacting with the local fishermen. The reward of fishing comes at the end of the day, with a delicious barbecue and taste the different fish types.
Boat rides. Another sensational adventure is boat riding in Lomami national park. These are done along Lualaba River and in dugout local canoes. Visitors are presented with an opportunity to appreciate serene nature of the river with its beautiful and thrilling sceneries and aquatic life.
Best time to visit Lomami national park.
Currently, the park has limited accommodation options and most visitors only have the option to camp in their own tents. Lomami national park is accessible throughout the whole year but the dry season from early June to August is the most recommended. This is because the park is found deep in forests and the roads are still difficult to navigate during the rainy season, calling for four wheel drive vehicles.
Looking for an off – road yet exhilarating destination, visit Lomami national park for a taste of a remarkable and authentic experience of DR Congo tropical rainforest.
