Mai-Ndombe

Mai-Ndombe is a shallow lake in the central Congo basin, its dark waters coloured by matter washed from the surrounding forest. The Lokoro and Lutoy rivers enter it from the east, while its waters leave through the Fimi and ultimately reach the Congo by way of the Kasai. Heavy rains flood the low forest around its shores; in exceptionally wet years the flooded country can connect with Lake Tumba to the north. Fish thrive in the lake and its tributaries, amid a landscape of water and swamp forest.