The Lomela River flows in a northwest direction from the Sankuru Nature Reserve and across the Salonga National Park.

It is winding and narrow, and flows through forested and marshy areas that flood in the high water seasons.

From the mouth of the river to Itoko, a distance of 236 kilometres (147 mi), it always allows boats with a 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) draft.

[2] The Lomela flows through the heart of the central depression of the Congo Basin.

The Lomela meanders through a 88,000 hectares (220,000 acres) area of permanent swamp forest from 20°35'E to 21°30'E, and through a 46,500 hectares (115,000 acres) area of swamp forest between 21°50'E and 22°18'E.