Lomami National Park
DRC's first new national park in over forty years protects the recently discovered lesula monkey, hundreds of forest elephants, bonobos, and okapi across an unspoiled stretch of the Congo Basin.
A park built from a decade of scientific discovery
Lomami National Park was gazetted in July 2016 after nearly a decade of surveying by the Lukuru Foundation's TL2 (Tshuapa-Lomami-Lualaba) project, becoming DRC's eighth national park and its first new one in more than forty years. The surveys turned up a species new to science: the lesula monkey, described in 2012.
The park protects roughly 9,000 km² of primary lowland Congolian rainforest, with a canopy reaching 40-50 metres, and anchors one of the highest primate-diversity concentrations in Central Africa, including bonobos, okapi, and the exceptionally rare Dryas monkey.
Lomami's creation followed years of consultation with surrounding communities through traditional tambiko ceremonies, resulting in a jointly developed park proposal, a process the Wildlife Conservation Society and ICCN point to as a model for community-backed conservation elsewhere in DRC.
Because the park remains largely unexplored, a visit here has a genuine frontier quality; pair it with our Okapi Wildlife Reserve guide for a fuller picture of okapi habitat across the Congo Basin.
What makes Lomami distinct
Lomami's late discovery means new species are still being documented within its boundaries.
Lesula monkey
Described to science only in 2012, the lesula is found almost nowhere else, making Lomami its primary protected habitat.
Dryas monkey
One of Africa's rarest primates, the dryas monkey (locally called inoko) was confirmed here after being known from just one small area.
Forest elephants
Lomami supports at least 500 African forest elephants, one of DRC's last viable populations amid heavy poaching pressure elsewhere.
Bonobos
An expanded bonobo range was one of the TL2 survey's key findings, extending the species' known distribution further southeast.
Okapi
Okapi were documented on the west bank of the Lomami River, adding the park to the short list of protected okapi habitats.
Congo peacock
The elusive, endemic Congo peafowl moves through Lomami's dense forest floor alongside leopards and giant pangolins.
How a Lomami expedition typically comes together
Lomami is a wilderness science and ecotourism destination rather than a developed park, with river travel as the primary mode of access.
Travel to Kisangani or a regional airstrip
Most routings connect through Kisangani or smaller regional airstrips serving Tshopo and Maniema provinces.
River transfer by pirogue
Dugout canoe (pirogue) travel along the Lomami River is the main way into the park's interior.
Research and forest camps
WCS and ICCN-supported camps provide a base for guided forest walks and bonobo viewing in habituated areas.
Wildlife tracking on foot
Guided walks track lesula, bonobo, and forest elephant sign through primary lowland rainforest.
Return via river or charter
Departures generally retrace the river route, with charter flight options depending on the season.
A community-built model for new protected areas
Lomami's management, run jointly by ICCN and the Lukuru Foundation with support from the Wildlife Conservation Society, places particular emphasis on community benefit-sharing following the consultative process that created the park.
As one of DRC's most recently gazetted parks, Lomami still has minimal tourism infrastructure, meaning visitor revenue and research partnerships play an outsized role in funding its ranger network. See our travel guide for current access conditions.
Planning questions, answered
Where is Lomami National Park?
Lomami spans the Tshopo and Maniema provinces of central DRC, within the wider TL2 (Tshuapa-Lomami-Lualaba) landscape.
What is the lesula monkey?
The lesula is a primate species discovered in the Lomami region and formally described to science in 2012, with the park as its primary protected habitat.
How do visitors reach Lomami?
Access is by river, typically via pirogue (dugout canoe) along the Lomami River from a regional airstrip or Kisangani, best arranged with a specialist operator.
Is there tourist infrastructure in the park?
Minimal. Lomami is primarily a scientific and wilderness ecotourism destination, with camps run in partnership with WCS and ICCN rather than commercial lodges.
When was Lomami National Park created?
It was officially gazetted in July 2016, DRC's first new national park in more than forty years.
More of the DRC to plan around Lomami
Ready to route Lomami into a Congo Basin expedition?
Our team plans river-access itineraries around Lomami's research camps and the wider TL2 landscape.
What to do here
Top experiences in Lomami National Park
- Lesula monkeyDescribed to science only in 2012, the lesula is found almost nowhere else, making Lomami its primary protected habitat.
- Dryas monkeyOne of Africa's rarest primates, the dryas monkey (locally called inoko) was confirmed here after being known from just one small area.
- Forest elephantsLomami supports at least 500 African forest elephants, one of DRC's last viable populations amid heavy poaching pressure elsewhere.
- BonobosAn expanded bonobo range was one of the TL2 survey's key findings, extending the species' known distribution further southeast.
Entry requirements for visiting Lomami National Park
Every traveller needs a visa in advance. Read our step-by-step DRC e-visa and Congo tourist visa guide for the official DGM portal walkthrough, letter of invitation (LOI) requirements, fees, processing times and airport entry checks.
Nearby & similar