Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Libreville
Day 2: Libreville to Lope National
Day 3: Lope National
Day 4: Lope Nationa
Day 5: Lope to Omboue and transfer to Evengue (Loango National Park)
Day 6: Evengue to Iguela (Loango National Park)
Day 7: Iguela to Akaka (Loango National Park)
Day 8: Akaka.
Day 9: Akaka to Iguela (Loango National Park)
Day 10: Iguela to Libreville
The West African nation of Gabon made headlines in 2002 when its national parks rose from zero to thirteen, as more than 10,000 square miles of pristine rainforest came under formal protection. Since then, numerous documentaries and articles have appeared, profiling the incredible faunal wealth of this amazing country that protects the largest forest bloc on the African continent.
Due to its small population and vast rainforest resources, Gabon is unique in harbouring significant numbers of African rainforest mammals. Our tour takes us to Lope and Loango National Parks where we will seek a plethora of monkeys, sounders of strikingly patterned Red River Hog, herds of Forest Elephant, and Forest Buffalo on pristine beaches. We also have a slim chance of seeing Lowland Gorillas in the wild, and will have the opportunity to visit a rehabilitation centre for these incredible primates. (Gorillas are virtually guaranteed on our extension to Dzanga-Sangha which can also be done as a separate tour).
The birding is equally exceptional, and we have a good chance of seeing Africa’s toughest and arguably most attractive Bee-eaters – Black-headed and Rosy. Other star species we may see include the beautiful White-crested Tiger Heron, Bare-cheeked Trogon, Shining-blue Kingfisher, African Finfoot, Black-casqued Hornbill, the rare Loango Weaver, and both Vermiculated and Pel’s Fishing Owls.
Lope National Park: This amazing place is home to approx. 60 different species of mammals, including Forest Elephant, Lowland Gorillas, Chimpanzees and over 1,300 Mandrills (these species are elusive and due to the current ban on Mandrill trekking our chances for this species are slim). About 400 of the 680 bird species that have been recorded in Gabon have also been seen here.
Our air-conditioned bungalows are nestled in the hotel’s manicured gardens, flanked by a large grassy plain where Forest Buffalo graze at night. The lodge property backs onto the river and is surrounded by small forest glades where Yellow backed Duiker make their home. Meals are excellent and French cuisine can be expected. Wallowing in the crystal-clear swimming pool that overlooks the Ogooué is a great way to round off our days here – but be warned to keep your binoculars at hand as animals and birds are always in close proximity!
We will spend two full days in open, safari style 4x4’s exploring the northern sections of this 5,360km² (2,069 square mile) park. The main habitats are small to large forest blocs surrounded by grasslands, spread out over gently rolling countryside. This is prime rainforest mammal country and here we can expect to find our first Forest Elephants. The small, reddish and woolly Forest Buffalo is still considered the same species as the larger, darker Cape or African Buffalo despite these considerable differences in appearances! Even more exotic are the sounders of preposterous Red River Hogs. These white-faced pigs sport a conspicuous black facemask, while their rusty bodies are offset by a white erectile mane running along their spine, as well as their long white ear-tassels.
It is the primates that are the key attraction here; and it is an amazing experience to explore these primordial forest trails where wild Gorillas and Chimpanzees still roam freely. These are, however, very difficult to observe despite their considerable numbers (3,000-5,000 gorillas are resident in the park). Other primates that we may observe here include the shy Mandrill, the excessively long-tailed Black Colobus, blue-faced Moustached Monkeys, the aptly named Greater Putty-nosed Monkey and the scruffy Grey-cheeked Mangabey. Even though the forests in Lope are not as ancient or expansive as elsewhere in Gabon due to the effects of recent ice ages, some truly mouth-watering bird species occur here.
Loango National Park: Getting to the great Loango National Park is an adventure in itself, with a charter flight over vast forests and lagoons, a short drive, and then a boat ride. The park is situated along the coast of Gabon to the south of Libreville, and protects expansive forests, grasslands and wetlands. Our first port of call will be Evengue, also known as Gorilla Island. Here we will be treated to personal encounters with a family of captive Western Lowland Gorillas that have all been saved from terrible fates at the hand of poachers and other illegal captors. Mpivie Channel is a forested, slow-flowing watercourse is one of the highlights of our Gabon tour. Iguela Lodge is an impressive lodge is perched on the edge of the Petit Loango National Park and offers astounding luxuries, including gourmet meals and its own pastry chef.
We will take another boat trip across the tranquil river in front of the lodge itself, and into the national park. Here safari-style open Land cruisers await us for our exploration of the Park’s vast forest blocs and moist grasslands. In the grasslands, we can expect to find birds such as the stately Black-bellied Bustard, family groups of the uncommon Forbes’s Plover and Senegal Lapwing. We will also travel to an area that at this time of year should provide an amazing sight: 1000’s of nesting African River Martins and Rosy Bee-eaters. Both these species excavate holes in the sandy soil here, and during the breeding season are found is swirling flocks around their mixed breeding colony – truly a sight to behold!
Operation Loango satellite camp, Akaka, is a small and simple camp set in some of the richest forest in the park, and the boat ride there takes us through predominantly pristine habitat. Photographic opportunities from the boat are excellent. Forest Buffalo and Forest Elephant are easily seen by boat or on foot; while smaller mammals such as Sitatunga (a swamp-dwelling antelope), Red River Hogs, Forest Duikers, five species of monkey and great apes inhabit the area all year round. Birds we will be looking for include the rare Plumed Guineafowl, Long-tailed Hawk, Red-thighed Sparrowhawk, Gabon Coucal, Africa’s toughest trogon – the Bare-cheeked, as well as the incredibly beautiful and sought-after Black-headed Bee-eater. Further boat rides might also be enjoyed today
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- All meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 10 for those on the main tour and from lunch on day 1 to lunch on day 6 for those on the extension
- Bottled drinking water
- All lodgings
- Ground transportation
- All internal flights on the Gabon tour (Lope to Loango charter, Loango to Port Gentil charter, Port Gentil to Libreville scheduled flight)
- Reserve entrance fees
- All guiding services (including local guides and tour leaders).
Price Excludes:
- Visa fees
- Any international flights
- For Dzanga-Sangha extension only, the charter flight from Libreville to Dzanga-Sangha (cost is 21.000 Euro split between participants)
- Drinks besides water
- Special optional gratuities
- Telephone calls and Laundry and other items of a personal ature.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Gabon
Nature & Wildlife
Wildlife Viewing
National Parks
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