Kundelungu National Park
High plateau grassland drops off in dramatic waterfalls at Kundelungu, home to the 384-metre Lofoi Falls, one of Africa's highest, and a savannah wildlife community recovering alongside neighbouring Upemba.
High plateau grassland and one of Africa's tallest waterfalls
Kundelungu sits on a high plateau in Haut-Katanga Province, roughly 180 km north-east of Lubumbashi, and is best known for the Lofoi Falls, which drop 384 metres, among the highest waterfalls on the continent, feeding into the ecological corridor connecting to neighbouring Upemba National Park.
The park's savannah grassland, dotted with forest galleries and Miombo woodland, supports a range of wildlife including zebra, buffalo, leopard, cheetah, and a wide array of birdlife, from the rare shoebill to the wattled crane.
Conservationists frequently refer to Upemba and Kundelungu as sister parks, since visiting one without crossing into the other is uncommon, and both share management challenges tied to the region's history of poaching and instability.
For travellers building a southern DRC itinerary, pairing Kundelungu with Upemba National Park makes the most of the shared road access from Lubumbashi.
What makes Kundelungu distinct
Kundelungu's plateau grassland and gallery forest support a classic southern African savannah wildlife community.
Lofoi Falls
At 384 metres, Lofoi Falls is among the highest waterfalls in Africa, connected ecologically to Lake Upemba.
Zebra & buffalo
Open savannah grassland supports herds of zebra and buffalo across Kundelungu's plateau.
Leopard & cheetah
Both big cats persist in Kundelungu's mix of grassland and woodland habitat.
Miombo woodland birdlife
Species including the racket-tailed roller, Angola lark, and grey-throated barbet inhabit the park's woodland.
Rare wetland birds
The shoebill and wattled crane are among the park's most sought-after bird sightings.
Antelope diversity
Warthog, olive baboon, and multiple antelope species round out Kundelungu's savannah wildlife community.
How a visit to Kundelungu comes together
Kundelungu is most often visited as part of a combined Upemba-Kundelungu itinerary from Lubumbashi.
Fly into Lubumbashi
Lubumbashi is the gateway city for reaching both Kundelungu and Upemba national parks.
Overland travel to the plateau
Road travel of roughly 180 km connects Lubumbashi to Kundelungu's high plateau.
Visit Lofoi Falls
A highlight stop at one of Africa's tallest waterfalls, best combined with a guided viewpoint hike.
Savannah game viewing
Guided drives or walks across the plateau look for zebra, buffalo, and the park's birdlife.
Return via Lubumbashi
Most itineraries loop back to Lubumbashi, often via Upemba.
Recovering wildlife on a shared ecological corridor
Like Upemba, Kundelungu has faced decades of poaching pressure and limited enforcement capacity, with wildlife populations significantly reduced from historic levels across the wider Upemba-Kundelungu Complex.
An EU-supported programme with the Forgotten Parks Foundation and ICCN has worked since 2019 to professionalise management across both parks and reopen the ecological corridor between them, aiming to restore migration routes for the region's recovering wildlife. See our travel guide for current conditions.
Planning questions, answered
How do I get to Kundelungu National Park?
Kundelungu is reached by road from Lubumbashi, roughly 180 km away, and is typically combined with a visit to neighbouring Upemba National Park.
How tall are the Lofoi Falls?
The Lofoi Falls drop approximately 384 metres, making them one of the highest waterfalls in Africa.
Can Kundelungu be visited on its own?
It can, but most itineraries pair it with Upemba National Park given the shared road access and ecological corridor between the two.
What wildlife can I see at Kundelungu?
Zebra, buffalo, leopard, cheetah, warthog, and a rich birdlife including the rare shoebill and wattled crane.
Is Kundelungu safe to visit?
Access depends on current regional security conditions; always check with a licensed DRC operator before booking.
More of the DRC to plan around Kundelungu
Ready to plan a Kundelungu visit?
Our team routes Kundelungu alongside Upemba from Lubumbashi, timed around Lofoi Falls and current access conditions.
What to do here
Top experiences in Kundelungu National Park
- Lofoi FallsAt 384 metres, Lofoi Falls is among the highest waterfalls in Africa, connected ecologically to Lake Upemba.
- Zebra & buffaloOpen savannah grassland supports herds of zebra and buffalo across Kundelungu's plateau.
- Leopard & cheetahBoth big cats persist in Kundelungu's mix of grassland and woodland habitat.
- Miombo woodland birdlifeSpecies including the racket-tailed roller, Angola lark, and grey-throated barbet inhabit the park's woodland.
Entry requirements for visiting Kundelungu 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.
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