The Site is located around Lake Tumba in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The transboundary area containing the Site and the adjacent Lake Télé in Republic of Congo contains the largest continental freshwater body in Africa, making it one of the most important wetlands in Africa and one of the largest freshwater bodies in the world. Situated at the heart of the Congo basin system, the Site contains several rivers and nine lakes that support a diverse range of biodiversity and resources which in turn support the wider populations of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the neighbouring Congo. The Site hosts one of the huge African carbon sinks through its peatland soils. It is home to the endemic bonobo (Pan paniscus) and other primate species, and it provides natural habitat of forest elephant (Loxodonta africana cyclotis), leopard (Panthera pardus) and buffalo (Syncerus caffer). The Ngiri area – Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) CD003 – is known to regularly hold at least 1% of waterbird species such as purple heron (Ardea purpurea) with more than 1,000 pairs of spawning individuals making up over 2% of the biogeographic population. Diversified agriculture and artisanal fishing are the main activities of the local populations and generate the majority of their income. The Site also provides communities with vital non-timber forest products for housing, food and health care.