Upemba National Park is one of the most favored safari destinations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, offering unmatched safari experiences. This beautiful Protected Area is connected to Kundelungu National Park and several other Nature Reserves that together form a vast ecosystem of stunning Protected Areas.
Size and Location of Upemba National Park
At the extreme south-eastern corner of Democratic Republic of Congo in Haut-Lomami, Lualaba Province as well as Haut-Katanga Province is the spectacular Upemba National Park covering an area of about 1,173,000 hectares. The western and northern edges of this Park extend to Lualaba River as well as the surrounding Marshlands and Lakes of Kamolondo Plains. Lake Upemba (from which the Park was named) is an extension of the pristine River Lualaba that lies largely within this outstanding Protected Area. The lower part of this Park is where you will find the Upemba Depression, a verdant area of Lakes and wetlands including the magnificent Lake Upemba as well as the adjacent River Lualaba.
History of Upemba National Park
The area where the Protected Area now sits used to be about 1,773,000 hectares at the time of establishment on 15th May 1939, making it the largest Park in the African Continent. However in July 1975, the Park’s boundaries were adjusted to its current size and an annex of about 300,000 hectares. The Park has also had a fair share of challenges that include in attacks from local militias and poachers, notable being on 28th May 2004 when its Park Headquarters (at Lusinga) were attacked by Mai Mai Militia, leading to the murder of Park Wardens as well as their family members. Amidst all the challenges, good things also happened that include the offering of “Abraham Conservation Award” to protestors of the Park on 1st June 2005 for their huge role in protection of rich diversity within the Congo River Basin.
Highlights
Upemba National Park takes pride in its wide diversity of natural habitats that range from the gallery forests, highland steppe, Miombo woodlands, savannah and wooded grassland, wetlands to Rivers and Lakes that are strongholds for exceptional wildlife and bird species that are worth exploring.
Fishing
It would excite you to know that Upemba National Park has about 10 large fishing Lakes that offer excellent opportunities between March and November, although it can be undertake all year round. There are currently four fishing Lakes within the Hunting Reserve, managed by the northern sector of this Protected Area and commonly-caught species are Tilapia as well as Capitaine.
Wildlife viewing
With several small and large herds of Grant’s zebras, Oribis, giraffes or bushbucks as well as small troops of Olive baboons, visitors are provided the opportunity to explore the Park on-foot on in an open-roof vehicle. There are well-established hiking trails and game tracks that make it possible to explore the hidden habitats and spectacular attractions of the Park.
Bird watching
Another thrilling tourist activity within Upemba National Park is bird watching with unmatched views of giant ground hornbills, the spotted ground thrush, shoebill storks, Grey crowned cranes, wattled cranes and many others.
How do i get there ?
By Road
Upemba National Park, though situated in Katanga pronvince, is 400km from the border of Angola and Zambia.
By Flight
Check out Lubumbashi to get international flights to enable you to book a Congo safari in the Democratic Republic of Congo.