Upemba National ParkUpemba National Park at a Glance
About Upemba National Park
Upemba National Park is a large protected area in southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo in Haut-Katanga Province that includes wetlands, lakes, rivers and upland terrain within the Upemba Depression. The park conserves a mixture of aquatic and terrestrial habitats that support regional biodiversity.
Key features include extensive marshes and a network of lakes and channels that flood seasonally, providing habitat for aquatic and semi-aquatic species and creating a mosaic of savanna and wetland ecosystems. Access is limited and conditions are remote in many parts of the park, so visits usually require local arrangements.
The park was created under colonial administration in 1939 to protect the distinctive wetlands and wildlife of the Upemba Depression and has since been managed as a national park by successive authorities. Human settlement, pastoral use and conservation pressures have influenced management and access over time.
Upemba National Park lies in the southeastern part of the DRC’s Haut-Katanga region, centered on the Upemba Depression and its lakes and rivers. The park occupies a remote interior landscape distinct from the nearby mining and agricultural zones of the province.
- Established date: Originally established as a protected area in 1939, the park conserves a range of wetland, savanna and upland habitats in southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
What to See#
- Upemba Depression: The Upemba Depression is a low-lying basin of lakes, marshes and seasonally flooded plains that forms the park’s ecological heart and supports diverse wetland habitats.
- Lake Upemba and wetlands: Lake Upemba and adjacent shallow lakes and channels host aquatic wildlife and are central to the park’s water-based ecosystems.
Best Time to Visit Upemba National Park
Best visited outside the heaviest rains when boat travel is possible but roads are still passable.
Weather & Climate near Upemba National Park
Upemba National Park's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 14°C to 31°C. Abundant rainfall (1117 mm/year), wettest in December with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 18° - 27° | 23° | 180 mm | overcast | 85% | 1.8 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.5h |
| February | Good | 18° - 27° | 23° | 154 mm | overcast | 83% | 1.6 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.3h |
| March | Good | 19° - 28° | 23° | 203 mm | overcast | 84% | 1.7 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.0h |
| April | Very Good | 18° - 28° | 23° | 88 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 2.5 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 11.8h |
| May | Ideal | 16° - 28° | 22° | 10 mm | mostly sunny | 70% | 2.5 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.6h |
| June | Ideal | 14° - 27° | 21° | 0 mm | clear | 57% | 2.3 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.5h |
| July | Ideal | 14° - 28° | 21° | 0 mm | clear | 46% | 2.4 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.5h |
| August | Ideal | 15° - 29° | 22° | 3 mm | mostly sunny | 37% | 2.6 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.7h |
| September | Excellent | 17° - 31° | 24° | 25 mm | partly cloudy | 41% | 2.1 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.9h |
| October | Very Good | 18° - 29° | 24° | 80 mm | overcast | 62% | 2.1 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.2h |
| November | Good | 18° - 28° | 23° | 169 mm | overcast | 78% | 1.8 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.4h |
| December | Good | 18° - 27° | 23° | 205 mm | overcast | 84% | 1.7 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.5h |
How to Get to Upemba National Park
The park is remote: the nearest regional hub is Lubumbashi (about 250-350 km to the southeast depending on the park sector). Travel typically involves hiring a 4x4 from Lubumbashi or Likasi and coordinating with local eco-operators or park management. River and lake travel inside the park is by pirogue or small motorboat; guides and boats are arranged locally in lakeside villages. Due to variable security and road conditions, visitors should arrange transport and permits well in advance through reputable operators or conservation groups.
Tips for Visiting Upemba National Park
- Hire a local guide familiar with the park's wetland routes-locals know which lagoons are accessible by pirogue and which dry out seasonally.
- Plan for insect seasonality: bring permethrin-treated clothing or a head net in the rainy months (November-April).
- Respect local communities-many parts of the park are used for fishing and cattle grazing; ask before photographing people or their boats.