The Bombo Lumene national park or the “Domaine et Réserve de Bombo-Lumene” is 3-4 hours outside Kinshasa. It has many animals, insects and birds that you can see if you’re lucky!
The road is easy if you leave Kinshasa early enough (5am) to avoid traffic! 
The views are green and lush 
Turn right at the fork after the airport. Do not go to Maluku (left) 
You will see many broken down cars and trucks 
The road is narrow and dangerous at night 
What a view! 
The rivers are Bombo and Lumene, they meet to form the Mai Ndombe 
A rope bridge 
The water is clean but sandy. Watch out with kids, the current is very strong. You can jump into it and let yourself float to the next mini beach. 
The vegetation around the river is rich and wild 
There are beautiful plains to get lost in and maybe bump into some animals 
The views during the treks are lovely 
Employee housing dating from the 1950s 
Thunderstorms are very likely in the rainy season (November to February) 
There is housing available but it is spartan (bats, no AC, no running water). Bring a tent! 
Lovely views again! 
You can ask a ranger to show you around! Leave a tip! 
Catch a sunset and see the stars at night!
It is run by the ICCN, the conservation and environment ministry.
They received a little funding from the European Union but the park is highly underfunded and needs to be heavily improved if it wants to attract tourists from Kinshasa in more or less comfortable conditions. However, it would lose it’s charm as an idyllic place without creature comforts.
There are two motorbikes for the entire park and only 30 employees. The rangers do not have vehicles and live in very simple conditions (no electricity or running water).
You go there to camp and be in nature.
THERE IS NO INTERNET OR CELL RECEPTION THANK GOD!
There are rooms to rent but they are spartan.
It is a trip easily done on a saturday morning until sunday evening.
The turn on the main road is located here :
https://goo.gl/maps/EYMyR3wh6YDdv42Q9
Here are a few links about the park:
There is an instagram page called “Expédition Bombo Lumene” setup by researchers that place camera traps in the park. They post the animals that appear and pictures of the wildlife.
https://www.instagram.com/expeditionbombolumene/?hl=en
The Congo Bucketlist is a blog with great ideas of things to do in the DRC.
https://congobucketlist.wordpress.com/2014/10/24/bombo-lumene-national-park/
Check out this short 15 minute documentary by the instagram “Expedition Bombo Lumene” team
Plan your visit ⬇️ Planifiez votre visite:
bombolumene.dcs@gmail.com
+243995798723
Emilio in Congo (DRC) 
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