Bombo Lumene is the last great wild biodiversity space in the city-province of Kinshasa. This 350,000-hectare nature reserve sits on Route Nationale 1, about 130 km from Kinshasa, in the commune of Maluku. It is the largest protected reserve accessible from the capital.
An ecosystem of the Bateke Plateau
The reserve occupies the former Kalahari dune system, on the southern tip of the vast Bateke Plateau that extends into Congo-Brazzaville and Gabon. Created in 1968 and classified as a protected reserve in 1976, it combines three distinct habitat types: open savanna, wooded savanna with acacias, and dense tropical gallery forests along the waterways.
This diversity of habitats supports varied wildlife: antelopes, buffaloes, jackals, primates and a wide range of birds. It is one of the richest birdwatching destinations in the Kinshasa region.
Activities on site
Available activities include guided savanna hikes, birdwatching, fishing in the waterways and swimming in designated safe areas. Running along the reserve's tracks is practised by Kinshasa sports enthusiasts who visit regularly at weekends.
Getting there from Kinshasa
Bombo Lumene is about 130 km from central Kinshasa along Route Nationale 1 — the same road as the Nsele Valley Park, but further. Allow 2 to 3 hours depending on traffic. A vehicle with driver is essential — the site is not served by public transport. A weekend on site is recommended to make the most of the space.
