Gabon holiday
| country: | Gabon |
| departures: | Monday departures throughout the year |
| price: | From £2555 (8 days) - £4455 (17 days) excluding flights. Prices based on a minimum of two clients. We can arrange flights from the UK |
the amazing things you'll be doing
With weekly departures our discovery tour offers the best of Gabon, combining Loango National Park, the Jewel of Africa’s western coast, with Ivindo National Park (Langoué Bai), famous for its gorillas. The camp at Langoué Bai is the first official ecocamp in Gabon. From Ivindo the tour continues by train to our final destination; the Lopé National Park, a World Heritage Site and one of the largest and most beautiful parks in Central Africa.
Gabon profile
In the heart of Central Africa, Gabon is home to the second largest rainforest in the world, it is one of the last great untouched wilderness areas.
Hosting some of Africa's least exploited rain forests and coastal sanctuaries, conservationists regard Gabon as one of the last pockets of wilderness in Africa. Michael Fay, a research scientist with the Wildlife Conservation Society and the National Geographic Society, walked from the eastern edge of Congo to the western edge of Gabon during 1999 and 2000 - a 456-day trip past a stunning range of animals and animal habitats. After he finished this epic ‘megatransect,’ he had this to say: "Blue seas, white sand, elephants, whales, sea turtles, monkeys, bush pigs, unbelievable scenery," he said, “Gabon has it all. It has everything that everyone ever dreams about in paradise, as far as I’m concerned.”
80% of Gabon is covered by rainforest, and the population density barely reaches four people per square kilometre, mostly concentrated in the cities. Unsurprisingly, it is home to the last great concentrations of West African mammals, with an elephant population of 64,000, 20,000 Lowland Gorillas and over 35,000 Chimpanzees. You may also be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of some of the rarest African species such as the Mandrill, Sun-tailed monkey and Bongo. Over 680 species of birds have been recorded, and 320 species of orchid.
Please note that this trip is also available as a 9-day itinerary
Gabon profile
In the heart of Central Africa, Gabon is home to the second largest rainforest in the world, it is one of the last great untouched wilderness areas.
Hosting some of Africa's least exploited rain forests and coastal sanctuaries, conservationists regard Gabon as one of the last pockets of wilderness in Africa. Michael Fay, a research scientist with the Wildlife Conservation Society and the National Geographic Society, walked from the eastern edge of Congo to the western edge of Gabon during 1999 and 2000 - a 456-day trip past a stunning range of animals and animal habitats. After he finished this epic ‘megatransect,’ he had this to say: "Blue seas, white sand, elephants, whales, sea turtles, monkeys, bush pigs, unbelievable scenery," he said, “Gabon has it all. It has everything that everyone ever dreams about in paradise, as far as I’m concerned.”
80% of Gabon is covered by rainforest, and the population density barely reaches four people per square kilometre, mostly concentrated in the cities. Unsurprisingly, it is home to the last great concentrations of West African mammals, with an elephant population of 64,000, 20,000 Lowland Gorillas and over 35,000 Chimpanzees. You may also be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of some of the rarest African species such as the Mandrill, Sun-tailed monkey and Bongo. Over 680 species of birds have been recorded, and 320 species of orchid.
Please note that this trip is also available as a 9-day itinerary
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | London Heathrow to Libreville. After your daytime flight and evening arrival, you will be met and transfered to the Meridien Hotel, Libreville. |
| Day 2: | Libreville to Evengue Island (Gorilla Island). This morning we take a connecting flight down the tropical coastline to Omboue and transfer to Evengue, a small island which has a gorilla sanctuary. Four gorillas that lived in captivity for a long time are being cared for by a renowned conservation organisation. The gorillas are part of a breeding programme enabling offspring to be returned to the wild in Gabon. Eco-guides will explain the programme and its long term objectives. Afterwards one of the guides will accompany you on a short bush walk that leads to the gorilla family that currently consists of eight gorillas. As their living area is enclosed, you are assured of the privilege of seeing these impressive primates from close by. The rest of the day is up to you. You can discover the island on foot or by kayak, or simply enjoy the tranquillity and fantastic views from the terrace. Overnight Evengue Island tented camp. |
| Day 3: | Mpivie River – St Anne - Loango. After breakfast you will board a Gabonese ‘pirogue’ for a 2.5 hour boat tour on the beautiful Mpivie River, en-route to Loango. This ‘black water’ river runs through some very dense rainforest. Sit back and enjoy the breathtaking views. You will see monkeys, crocodiles and all kinds of birds, hartlaubs duck, finfoots and fishing owls in particular. |
| Day 4: | Loango Lodge - Akaka/Tassi Bush Camp. Dependent on season Akaka Bush Camp (during the dry season from May to September) or Tassi Bush Camp (during the wet season from October to April) |
| Day 5: | Akaka/Tassi Bush Camp. Options as previous day. Excursions throughout the Tassi and Louri area to see the wildlife native to this area. Overnight Akaka/Tassi Bush Camp |
| Day 6: | Akaka/Tassi – Loango Lodge - St Catherine Beach camp. Today we head back to Loango Lodge and a short boat trip over Loango Lagoon will take visitors to the Point St. Catherine beach camp. There are miles and miles of empty beach perfect for just relaxing or taking extended walks, shell collecting, as well as some sheltered bays for swimming. In the turtle season (October - February), marine turtles nest on the beach at night. For fisherman, from September to March, there is often world-class fishing a minute's walk from one's tent. Late in the humpback whale season (June - September), female humpbacks pass close inshore with their newly born calves. The surrounding coastal forest, fringing lagoon, and mangroves shelter abundant bird life and smaller mammals. During the rainy season, St. Catherine sunsets are something special. Overnight Point St. Catherines Beach Camp. |
| Day 7: | Point St. Catherine Beach Camp - Loango Lodge. After your return from Point St. Catherine Beach Camp , your guide will discuss with you how you would like to discover other parts of the park; on foot into the mangroves, by kayak over the lagoon or by ‘houseboat’ to Bat and Bird Island and its flocks of birds. We also offer you the unique experience of joining one of our research teams as they conduct their research into whales, leatherback turtles and crocodiles (depending on the time of year). Overnight at Loango Lodge |
| Day 8: | Loango Lodge to Ivindo National Park. After breakfast you have a shuttle flight to Ivindo National Park. Here a member of the Ivindo National Park team will pick you up. A 4x4 jeep will drive you from Ivindo to the end of the road at Langoué (2/3 hours). First you will pass the logging activities near Ivindo. The recently created and little visited Ivindo National Park is one of the most exciting regions in Gabon. Not only does Ivindo contain the Kongou and Mingouli falls, the biggest and most spectacular waterfalls of forested Africa but bais (salines or clearings in the forest) such as Langoué Bai with the largest concentration of easily observable elephants and gorillas in Gabon. Many of the primates in this region are said to be naïve, namely that they do not fear humans due to their lack of contact with them! Overnight at the WCS Camp. |
| Day 9-12: | Langoué Bai. You will spend the coming days at Langoué Bai. This is a one hour’s walk from the camp. Three platforms in the trees along the edge of the Bai provide an ideal location for wildlife viewing. Guides are available to accompany you. The paths around Langoué pass through spectacular tropical forest with impressively large trees and high biodiversity. Animals such as red river hogs, monkeys, birds and occasionally gorillas and chimpanzees can sometimes be seen while walking through the forest. |
| Day 12: | Langoué Bai - Lopé National Park. In the morning you start your trip back to Ivindo station, where you travel by train for the Lopé National Park and a stay at the comfortable Lopé Hotel. A staff member of Lopé Hotel will pick you up at the station for the short transfer to the hotel. |
| Day 13-14: | Mikongo Camp. The Mikongo Camp, approximately 1.5 hours from Lopé Hotel by 4x4 jeep, was established as an ECOFAC (Ecosystemes Forestiers en Afrique Centrale) research camp and is a perfect location to search for primates. Before venturing into the forest, ECOFAC researchers will instruct visitors on the behaviour to adopt during gorilla tracking. Accompanied by a guide and tracker, you will set out on an exciting two-day search for mammals. |
| Day 15: | Mikongo Camp – Lopé Hotel – Libreville. A 4w4 jeep will take you back to Lopé hotel where you will return to Libreville on the overnight train. |
| Day 16: | Libreville. Morning arrival in Libreville. Transfer to hotel (at own expense). Day at leisure. Overnight Meridien Hotel. |
| Day 17: | Libreville to London Heathrow via Paris. Overnight flight to London |
how this holiday makes a difference
 Our local operator is at the forefront of conservation in Gabon, working closely with WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) and supported by staff from EF (Eaux et Forets - the state department of fish and wildlife). They take on a diverse role geared towards conserving and protecting Loango National Park. This includes initiating, managing, or supporting various research, monitoring, surveillance and education activities. The funds generated by tourism activities such as our tours are directly re-invested into the area to ensure the continued and economically sustainable protection of the national park. An example of the type of project your holiday funds is the employment of a team of young, local Gabonese to systematically clean the park’s entire 100 km of Atlantic coastline. The details and location of each item of litter is recorded and in this manner it is intended to trace the source where possible, and attempt to stop the problem before it starts. At the end of the journey travellers may donate any unwanted clothing, medicine and books, which are distributed to appropriate local charities. We only employ local staff and unlike many operators we believe that to send a foreign Tour Leader along to accompany your trip is an unnecessary burden on your wallet and our carbon footprint. We believe that locals know best. Our local operators only use locally owned accommodation. This means your money stays in the area to benefit the local community. When possible we use local transport, (i.e. rail or bus) and we always use local restaurants, markets and shops. In doing this your travels are supporting and encouraging the development of local services. We only work with operators who are as committed as we are to putting something back into the communities we visit. This may include giving a percentage of the profits from each tour to a foundation to help street children or local conservation projects. Furthermore, in order to allow our clients to make an informed decision on where a greater proportion of their money should be spent, we avoid including pre-paid full board meals where possible. Local restaurants and cafes then benefit. Our groups average only six clients, and many tours operate on a private basis with just two travellers. This has much less impact when travelling through rural areas, reducing our environmental and social affects. Finally to emphasis our commitment to Responsible Tourism all clients will receive a copy of our Travellers Code of Conduct with their travel documents. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |