Bombo Lumene, short for “Bombo Lumene Hunting Reserve,” was founded in 1968 as a hunting reserve. In 1976, a portion of the territory between the Bombo and Lumene Rivers was designated a reserve to protect its flora and fauna. The goal was to promote the conservation and sustainable use of its natural resources. It is currently classified as IUCN Category VI, meaning it is a protected area that allows for the sustainable use of its natural resources. Bombo Lumene is managed by the ICCN (Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation).

For many years, Bombo Lumene attracted expatriate sport hunters from Kinshasa as well as local subsistence hunters. However, poor hunting regulations and mismanagement led to the decline of many animal populations. Several prolonged periods of political instability also contributed to the population decline, as animals were hunted due to food insecurity. This ultimately led to the local extinction of several species, such as lions and elephants. In recent years, slash-and-burn agriculture, charcoal production, and human encroachment (all linked to the rapid population growth in Kinshasa), combined with a severe shortage of staff and funding, have been the main threats to the flora and fauna of Bombo Lumene. Despite the immense challenges it faces, Bombo Lumene continues to serve as a refuge for a wide variety of species that the Bombo Lumene Foundation works to protect in partnership with the ICCN.