Lush rainforests, abundant wildlife and pristine coastlines aka "The Green Jewel of Africa"
A part of the biodiverse Congo Basin, this stunning country is a naturalist's dream.
Very much off the tourist charts, stories of hippos frolicking in the Atlantic surf, of forest elephants, giant forest hogs and gorillas roaming sandy beaches get our hearts racing and minds dreaming.
Whales, dolphins and sea turtles, amongst other marine creatures, also call these waters home. And inland, one will find ancient mineral-rich baïs, lush jungles of all kinds teeming with wildlife, biodiverse rivers, waterfalls and a dark and enchanting forest home to the bizarre and beautiful mandrill monkeys wondering its canopy.
With a cultural heritage that retraces the origins of mankind, Gabon holds as much historical importance as it does ecological.
Must See Attractions in Gabon
01
Loango National Park
Gabon, a remote yet pioneering wildlife destination, is epitomised by Loango National Park, offering unparalleled biodiversity and pristine ecosystems. Visitors can trek with great apes, explore forests and beaches, and witness wildlife and landscapes few have experienced.
The park is home to a diverse range of species, including sitatunga antelope, red river hogs, forest buffalo, leopards, rare pangolins, and beachcomber elephants. Its wild coastline is renowned for surfing hippos and other unique fauna. Loango’s habitats include mangrove forests, tidal lagoons, mirrored waterways, and vast savannahs, providing stunning backdrops for wildlife viewing.
Visitors can encounter forest elephants, buffalo, chimpanzees, duikers, crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species. The park’s marine life includes humpback and killer whales, dolphins, and tarpon, making its uninhabited coastline ideal for observation. Gorilla treks offer intimate introductions to habituated western lowland gorillas in one of the world’s most intact primate habitats.
Adding to its allure are migrating dolphins, whales, and nesting sea turtles, with thousands of leatherbacks and olive ridleys laying eggs on its shores. At dusk, as fires and lanterns light the horizon, Loango’s timeless beauty is revealed. A sanctuary of unspoiled natural splendour, Loango National Park is a haven for nature lovers.
02
Ivindo National Park
Invindo National Park spans 3,000 square kilometres, offering a rare chance to observe forest animals in their natural habitat. At its heart lies Langoué Baï, a marshy clearing rich in minerals that attracts forest elephants, mandrills, sitatungas, and colourful butterflies.
This pristine equatorial rainforest is home to over 600 mammal species, including the largest population of western lowland gorillas in Africa, as well as chimpanzees, pangolins, golden cats, leopards, and various monkeys. Over 400 bird species and 2,000 plant species add to the park’s rich biodiversity.
Visitors can also marvel at the stunning Kongou and Mingouli waterfalls.
Kongou Forest Camp, nestled in this lush wilderness, offers an intimate stay with just six guests accommodated in traditional wooden dormitories. The camp lacks electricity and hot water but provides mosquito-netted beds, a communal shower, and a simple restaurant and bar.
Evenings by paraffin lamp along the Ivindo River allow visitors to immerse themselves in the sounds of the forest, where monkeys scurry overhead. Meals feature fresh fish and local produce cooked over an open fire.
Designed for adventurous travellers, Kongou Forest Camp enhances the unique rainforest experience, bringing guests closer to one of the world’s most untouched ecosystems.
03
Lopé National Park
Lopé National Park in central Gabon covers approximately 4,912 square kilometres, bordered by the Ogooué River to the north and the Chaillu Massif to the south. It is home to over 1,400 endangered mandrills, 420 bird species, western gorillas, sun-tailed guenons, black colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, and forest elephants.
The park’s diverse terrain includes monsoon forest and the last remnants of Ice Age grass savannas in Central Africa, formed 15,000 years ago. Established as Gabon’s first protected area in 1946, the park and its surrounding Lopé-Okanda landscape were added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2007 for their biodiversity, unique savanna-forest transitional zone, and remarkable petroglyphs.
The Parcs Gabon Wildlife Camp offers the Moabi Tented Camp, an eco-friendly retreat set in the rolling savannah, just 40 minutes from Lopé National Park Station. This exclusive camp provides guests with close encounters with wildlife in their natural habitat. Lopé National Park is a vital refuge for primates, including 4,000 western lowland gorillas, chimpanzees, and sun-tailed guenons.
It also shelters large herds of forest elephants and buffalo, along with leopards, golden cats, red river hogs, sitatungas, yellow-backed duikers, and a variety of other mammals, making it one of Africa’s most ecologically significant reserves.