Severe Flood Hits Kinshasa & Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary: Recovery Underway

A powerful storm system that drenched Kinshasa in early April 2025 triggered the most severe flooding the region has seen in years—claiming at least 33 lives, displacing thousands, and causing catastrophic damage across neighborhoods and natural areas, including the beloved Lola ya Bonobo sanctuary, home to 70 rescued bonobos.

A map of Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary in Kinshasa, DRC, shows the Lukaya River highlighted with blue dots indicating the flood range.

Located at the southern edge of the capital city, the sanctuary found itself directly in the path of the surging waters as the Ndjili and Lukaya Rivers burst their banks following days of unrelenting rainfall. An aerial view of the sanctuary shows the opportunity for the scale of the inundation: floodwaters traveled swiftly over low-lying terrain, crashing into key structures and carrying debris and tree limbs with it.

“We lost everything,” Kinshasa resident Marie Nzola told NPR, standing beside what remained of her home. “We left everything behind.” (NPR, April 8, 2025)

The story was similar at Lola ya Bonobo.

The restaurant was almost totally underwater.

Debris choked the Lukaya River (which borders Lola sanctuary) after it overflowed.

Staff shovel muck from a bonobo enclosure after the storm.

Inside the restaurant after floodwaters receded.

A Sanctuary in Crisis

For the bonobos and staff who live and work at Lola, the flood left a trail of destruction:

• The sanctuary’s water pump was buried in heavy sediment for days, halting access to clean water and plumbing. Major repairs to the water system are needed while staff continue to collect and carry water by hand.

• Enclosure fencing was damaged by falling trees and mudslides, threatening the security of the bonobos.

• Building roofs were torn or collapsed, including guest housing and bonobo medical infrastructure.

• The on-site restaurant, a gathering spot for guests and educational groups, was almost completely submerged—its future now uncertain as leaders consider relocation.

• Guest pathways and educational trails were washed away, halting field trips and local conservation programming.

• Vital electrical systems were shocked, affecting medical equipment, lighting, and refrigeration.

• Ongoing supply chain disruptions have driven up the cost of basic goods, placing additional strain on recovery efforts and daily operations.

  
  

Faced with extensive damage, Lola’s team sprang into action. Staff and caregivers, many of whom stayed on-site during the storm, prioritized the safety of the bonobos and began stabilization and emergency cleanup immediately.

Collapsed roof from wind, rain, and flooding

Submerged building with only peak of roof visible under flood waters.

Electrical panel filled with mud from high water.

Refrigeration unit tipped by flood waters and buried in sediment.

Water pump responsible for plumbing buried under mud and sediment.

Donor Action Helped Turn the Tide

In response to the crisis, supporters around the world stepped in to fund critical repairs and recovery efforts.

“Thanks to our donors, we were able to respond immediately,” said Ariel Rogers, Executive Director of Friends of Bonobos. “Fencing was repaired and our bonobos remained safe throughout it all. The outpouring of generosity showed just how much this community cares, not just about the sanctuary, but about the future of this endangered species.”

I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT RESCUES

Among the Lola bonobos are young orphans like Kamina and Esake, both featured in our recent emails. Their rehabilitation depends on stable care, consistent routines, and human compassion—conditions severely threatened by the storm.

Kinshasa Flooding, Climate, and the Road Ahead

This flooding echoes a deadly disaster in 2022 that killed over 100 people in Kinshasa. As such events grow more frequent, due partly to climate change, conservation sites like Lola ya Bonobo are increasingly vulnerable. The sanctuary is now exploring how to adapt its infrastructure to rising climate risks, including elevating walkways, reinforcing critical buildings, and relocating high-risk facilities.

“This was a wake-up call," Rogers says. " We’re not just rebuilding—we’re rethinking. And we’re doing it with the same determination that’s driven this sanctuary for over two decades.”

Service roads were washed away and replaced with large amounts of sediment, debris, and tree limbs. Manual labor is the only way these areas will be repaired as large construction vehicles are needed in the city.

A Future Built on Resilience and Hope

While the damage from April’s floods was devastating, the response from our global community has been extraordinary. Because of your support, Lola ya Bonobo is not only recovering—we are preparing for a stronger, more resilient future. The path ahead will require continued investment, innovation, and compassion. But one thing is clear: together, we can protect bonobos, their rainforest home, and the dedicated people working every day to keep them safe.

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