African Parks has officially entered into a new long-term management agreement with the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN) for the protection and sustainable development of Kundelungu National Park. The agreement makes Kundelungu the 24th park in the African Parks portfolio and represents a significant step forward in regional conservation efforts.
Spanning more than 8,165 square kilometres in southeastern DRC, Kundelungu is known for its sweeping escarpments, miombo woodlands, open grasslands and wetlands. It is also home to Lofoi Falls—one of Africa’s tallest waterfalls—and supports high levels of endemic species.
Protecting nature and supporting communities
Kundelungu plays a critical role in sustaining biodiversity and providing ecosystem services. The park’s watersheds are vital for regional water security, serving ecosystems and communities in both the DRC and Zambia. Approximately 50,000 people in the Lufira Valley depend on the park’s natural resources, making community engagement a key component of its long-term success.
Initial priorities for African Parks will include setting up a management team, conducting environmental and social assessments, and working closely with local communities to develop strategies that support conservation while generating socio-economic benefits.
Strengthening a regional ecological corridor
Kundelungu sits adjacent to Upemba National Park—managed by Forgotten Parks in partnership with ICCN—forming part of a vital ecological corridor. This transboundary landscape offers rare opportunities to reintroduce species, expand conservation coverage and support sustainable tourism in a region that remains underexplored by international travellers.
This new partnership builds on African Parks’ existing work in the DRC, which includes the recent renewal of its management mandate for Garamba National Park. African Parks first began operating in the DRC in 2005 and continues to strengthen its commitment to long-term, community-based conservation in the country.
