It is the only functioning national park in all of Angola, with the others being in disrepair due to the Angolan Civil War.

The park covers 3 million acres (12,000 km²), more than twice the size of the U.S. state of Rhode Island.

The Portuguese name Quiçama is spelled in English and other languages as Kissama, Kisama or Quicama.

In January 1957, it was proclaimed a national park by the Portuguese administration of the Overseas Province of Angola.

Noah's Ark was the largest animal transplant of its kind in history and has given the park momentum to be restored to its natural state.