Kundelungu National Park- Wildlife Safari in Congo
Located 180 kilometers northeast of Lubumbashi on the plateau from which it takes its name, the Kundelungu Park is one of the eight national parks in the country, and one of two located in Katanga with the Parc de L ‘Upemba to which it is connected by an ecological corridor allowing the migration of fauna.
Park Area Size
Originally a private hunting estate, it was declared a national protected area in 1970, and is in fact made up of two zones, the western part of which (known as the annex zone) was added more recently. The figures varying according to the sources, it will be said that the area of the park covers on average 250,000 hectares in the reserve part located on the plateau, to which are added approximately 550,000 hectares of annexed area.
Ecosystem
The ecosystem is grassy savannah on immense steppes dotted with forest galleries, characteristic of Katanga. And the fauna that it is still supposed to shelter would consist of antelopes, jackals, servals, porcupines, warthogs, a wide variety of birds (crane, egrets, marabouts, pelicans …), snakes, monkeys, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles… We also evoke some lions, cheetahs (whose park would be the last refuge in the DRC), leopards, zebras… But nobody knows, particularly in the case of big cats, if there are still really or s ‘This is advertising intended to attract visitors. Anyway it is extremely rare and complicated to see, so do not count on it too much, and settle for the splendid landscape which is alone worth the detour.
The Lofoi Falls
These are the highest falls in Africa (384 meters in a single jet), even more impressive in the rainy season, even if the spectacle is unforgettable in any case. The site includes other majestic waterfalls, of which the two most emblematic with the Lofoi are the Masansa (“shower”) and Lutshipuka (“swimming pool”) waterfalls. And that can be reached in one day.
Visiting the park
On a practical level, the dirt track section was recently groomed and is therefore much more “comfortable” than before. But a good 4 × 4 remains essential to circulate on the tracks of the park. The drop-off point for the reserve is Katwé, which has a lodge where you can stay for $ 30 a night. For the same price, you can camp in the park – at the top of the falls for example to watch the sunset or beautiful sunrise – with equipment and guards (armed) provided.
In both cases, you must book and pay for accommodation at ICCN in advance (in Lubumbashi) in addition to buying the permit at $ 40 for expatriates, and paying $ 15 per vehicle. The accommodation in a gite is ok but rudimentary and without electricity of course so remember to take everything with you before leaving Lubumbashi: food (to prepare on the makala) and water reserves, including for the driver and very often for the guards from the park if you are camping; sleeping bag (advised, it can get cold at night and the few blankets provided are not always enough); flashlights, etc.
In theory, the flat rate paid to ICCN covers “ancillary” costs: gatekeepers, guards … but a matabish is often appreciated, even asked by the latter.
There are also plans to build lodges in the park soon, overlooking the Lofoi Falls.
