(Posted 04th October 2025)
It is with great pleasure that I share the news of another agreement between the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), through the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN), and African Parks for the long-term management of Kundelungu National Park. This partnership marks an important milestone in our mission, with Kundelungu becoming the 24th park in the African Parks portfolio.
Spanning over 8,165 km² in southeastern DRC, the park is a diverse landscape of escarpments, grasslands, miombo woodland, and wetlands, and is home to the Lofoi Falls, one of Africa’s tallest waterfalls. With its high level of species endemism, the park is an important biodiversity hotspot, while also holding significant potential to restore species that were once part of the landscape. Supporting the livelihoods of approximately 50,000 people in the Lufira Valley, Kundelungu is also a critical contributor to regional water security, with its watersheds sustaining ecosystems and communities in the DRC and Zambia.
Our initial efforts will focus on laying the foundation for effective park management. This includes recruiting and training a management team, conducting a comprehensive Environmental and Social Due Diligence Assessment, and engaging local stakeholders to develop a plan that delivers meaningful socio-economic benefits while safeguarding biodiversity. With its accessibility near Lubumbashi, Kundelungu also holds potential for conservation-driven development and sustainable tourism.
Along with this new mandate, African Parks has also renewed its long-term partnership with the ICCN to manage Garamba National Park. This renewal reinforces a shared commitment to conservation and sustainable development in the DRC, building on a collaboration that started in 2005.
Together with neighbouring Upemba National Park (which is managed by our incubator partner, Forgotten Parks, in partnership with ICCN), Kundelungu forms part of a globally important ecological network that has the potential to strengthen conservation efforts across the region while delivering vital ecosystem services.
We are very grateful to the Government of the DRC and the ICCN for their trust and commitment, and to our partners and donors for their continued support. We look forward to this new chapter of partnership and to collaborating with the communities whose engagement is key to Kundelungu’s success.
With all good wishes,
Peter Fearnhead
CEO
African Parks
