It flows north and northwest into Kabambare Territory of Maniema, then turns to the southwest, entering the Lualaba above Kasongo.

The headwater regions upstream of Pene Mende include a system of wetlands about 130 kilometres (81 mi) in length and covering about 60,000 hectares (150,000 acres).

[3] The explorer Henry Morton Stanley visited the river in October 1876.

The bananas and plantains are very luxuriant, while the Guinea palms supply the people with oil and wine; the forests give them fuel, the rivers fish, and the gardens cassava, groundnuts, and Indian corn".

[5] The Arab war in the Congo Free State was concluded by a victory by the Force Publique led by Dhanis and Pnthier on the Luama River on 20 October 1893.