Gabon: Gorillas, Hippos and Wild Beaches
Nine days venturing into Gabon's national parks, from Libreville to Loango, where hippos swim in the waves of the Atlantic.
Description
Gabon is one of Africa's best-kept secrets: 88% of its territory covered by rainforest, the highest gorilla density on the planet and beaches where hippos bathe in the ocean. The journey begins in Libreville with the National Museum of Arts and Traditions and the Mont-Bouët market. It then ventures into Lopé National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for walking safaris among western lowland gorillas and mandrills. From Lopé the trip continues to Lambaréné, where Albert Schweitzer founded his hospital in 1913 beside the Ogooué River. The climax is Loango, where hippos surf on the beach and elephants stroll along the sand. The trip ends at Pongara with leatherback turtles nesting on pristine beaches. Gabon is nature at its purest.
Health & safety
- Yellow fever vaccine mandatory
- Endemic malaria: prophylaxis and treated mosquito net
Day-by-day itinerary
Libreville: capital among the mangroves
Libreville, Gabon
Libreville: capital among the mangroves
Exploration of Libreville's main landmarks
National Museum of Arts and Traditions
Culture2hLibreville Waterfront
Nature1.5hSeafood dinner
gastronomy2hTransfer to Lopé National Park
Lopé National Park, Gabon
Transfer to Lopé National Park
Journey on the Transgabonais and first exploration
Transgabonais train ride
Nature4.5hOrientation hike
Nature2hGorilla briefing
Nature1hGorilla safari in Lopé
Lopé National Park, Gabon
Gorilla safari in Lopé
Full day of gorilla tracking
Tracking western lowland gorillas
Nature6hPicnic in the forest beside the Ogooué
Nature1hSunset from the Lopé viewpoint
Nature1hLopé to Lambaréné
Lambaréné, Gabon
Lopé to Lambaréné
Transfer to Lambaréné and visit to the Schweitzer hospital
Pirogue down the Ogooué
Nature2.5hAlbert Schweitzer Hospital
Culture2hDinner beside the Ogooué
gastronomy1.5hLoango National Park
Loango, Gabon
Loango National Park
Hippos in the Atlantic waves
Boat safari through the lagoons
Nature3hHippos on the beach
Nature2hSport fishing in the Atlantic
Sports2hLoango: forest elephants
Loango, Gabon
Loango: forest elephants
Land safari in search of elephants and primates
Elephant walking safari
Nature4hPrimate watching
Nature2hBonfire dinner on the beach
gastronomy2hLoango to Pongara: turtles
Pongara, Gabon
Loango to Pongara: turtles
Transfer and marine turtle sightings
Boat transfer
Nature3hNight patrol of leatherback turtles
Nature3hStay at an eco-lodge
Rest10hPongara: beaches and mangroves
Pongara, Gabon
Pongara: beaches and mangroves
Exploration of Pongara's ecosystems
Kayak through the mangroves
Sports2hWalk on a pristine beach
Nature2.5hBirdwatching in the wetlands
Nature2hReturn to Libreville
Libreville, Gabon
Return to Libreville
Last morning in Pongara and farewell
Sunrise on Pongara beach
Nature1hMont-Bouët market
Culture2hFarewell lunch
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