FAQ
A: Bombo Lumene is located about 100–130 km from Kinshasa, depending on how you measure the distance. It takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes to get there by car from downtown Kinshasa, and about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Ndjili International Airport.
A: Not yet! Although we are working to open one in the near future, Bombo Lumene does not yet have a restaurant or bar. Visitors have the option of bringing their own food and drinks (including water) from Kinshasa, or ordering local food in advance when making a reservation (5 to 10 USD depending on the dish. Local dishes that can be prepared include beef, chicken, or fish served with sides such as rice, pondu, fufu, fumbwa, makemba, etc. Various beers and a few non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase on site.
A: No! The road leading to the entrance of Bombo Lumene is fully paved and in very good condition. However, once inside the reserve, it’s best to use a 4×4 to explore the different areas and easily reach the river.
A: The animals at Bombo Lumene have become very shy and primarily nocturnal due to persistent poaching over the years. Although this makes the animals harder to spot, they’re still there! It’s best to ask for a guide upon arrival who can take you on various walks and hikes of varying levels of difficulty to try to find animals. The best time for these walks is very early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Perhaps the best way to spot animals is to use a flashlight to search for them at night. There are several antelopes that roam around the campsite area at night and are usually easy to spot if it’s quiet enough. Although there’s never a guarantee of seeing animals, all the animals that live in Bombo Lumene have been spotted near the camp, so there’s always a chance of catching a glimpse of something. The recently installed salt licks have also started to attract several antelopes closer to the camp. We hope that with continued efforts, all the animals will once again feel comfortable enough around humans to be seen and photographed. Finally, don’t forget to enjoy the small animals, birds (245 species and counting!), insects, and above all, the views while you’re here!
A: Yes! The Lumene River is a beautiful river for swimming, with very refreshing and clean water. However, be careful of strong currents in some areas, and talk to a guide first to find out where you can swim safely!
A: Other activities you can enjoy at Bombo Lumene include birdwatching, guided nature walks, hiking, running, swimming, fishing (bring your own fishing gear!), and night drives (in personal vehicles).
A: You can expect to learn a little more about the flora and fauna of Bombo Lumene. Your guides will point out the tracks and signs of various animals and tell you about useful, interesting, and edible plants. You’ll be able to enjoy incredible views, fascinating insects, amazing birdlife, and, with a little luck, perhaps even antelopes, buffalo, jackals, monkeys, and other animals that call the reserve home.
A: Although it is not mandatory, we strongly encourage visitors to tip their guides, who work hard not only to guide tourists but also to serve as park rangers who protect the reserve and its animals. A small tip will go a long way for the guides and their families!
