The Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN) and African Parks have formalised a long-term partnership for the management of Kundelungu National Park in the DRC.
In a media statement, the organisations said the agreement marks a key moment for the conservation of one of the DRC’s most significant protected areas. Alongside this, African Parks has renewed its long-term partnership with ICCN for the management of Garamba National Park, also in the DRC, continuing a collaboration that began in 2005.
The new partnership aims to restore Kundelungu’s ecosystems through biodiversity conservation, community development and income generation. The initial phase includes recruiting and training staff and conducting an environmental and social assessment to guide the management plan.
Established in 1970, Kundelungu National Park spans 816 500 hectares in southeastern DRC and includes the Kundelungu Plateau and Lufira River basin. It is home to Miombo forests, endemic species and natural landmarks such as Lofoi Falls. The park supports the livelihoods of about 50 000 people in the Lufira Valley and contributes to regional water security.
Located near Lubumbashi, the park’s accessibility offers potential for conservation-led tourism. Together with nearby Upemba National Park, managed under an ICCN partnership with Forgotten Parks, it forms part of a wider ecological network in the region.
