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- Adventure
- 10-day trip
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Gabon trip | Ultimate wildlife adventure
This special journey through Gabon begins with an overnight stay in the capital, Libreville, after which you’ll travel on to the impressive Lopé National Park. In this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll explore the savannah and rainforest and go in search of the colourful mandrill monkeys, along with other remarkable wildlife. You will then return to Libreville and travel on to the iconic Loango National Park, where adventure and nature come together. You will stay at two different lodges, each offering its own unique experience. At Ndola Camp, you will embark on an unforgettable gorilla trek through dense rainforest. You’ll then stay at Akaka Forest Camp, from where you’ll set off on exciting game drives across the savannah in search of elephants, buffalos and other wildlife. An unforgettable African wildlife adventure awaits you!
Travel programme
Travel overview
- Day 1 Flight to Gabon
- Day 2–4 Wildlife and mandrill spotting in Lopé National Park
- Day 5 Return to Libreville
- Day 6 Journey to Loango National Park
- Day 7 Gorilla trekking in Loango National Park
- Day 8 – 9 Wildlife spotting in Loango National Park
- Day 10 Departure from Gabon
- Day 11 Arrival
Flight to Gabon
Today you will arrive in Libreville, the capital of Gabon. Upon arrival at the airport, you will receive a warm welcome to this unique and fascinating country. After completing the arrival formalities, you will be taken to your accommodation near the airport. Here you can relax and recover from your journey before your adventure through Gabon begins.
Hôtel de la Sablière offers a stylish and comfortable stay on the Gabonese coast. This charming hotel features spacious rooms and suites with sea or garden views, a swimming pool, a restaurant serving local and international cuisine, and cosy lounges where you can relax.
Inclusief:
- Meet & Greet at the airport
- Private transfer to your hotel
- Overnight accommodation including breakfast
Exclusief:
- International flight
Wildlife and mandrill spotting in Lopé National Park
From the capital, a private transfer takes you to the impressive Lopé National Park in around 6 to 7 hours – a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its extraordinary biodiversity. Vast savannahs meet dense tropical rainforest, forming a unique habitat for an incredible variety of animals. Here you may encounter herds of forest elephants and buffalo roaming the plains, colourful bird species filling the air with their song, and the world-famous mandrill monkeys. Nowhere else in the world can you observe such large groups of these remarkable primates. The park is also home to gorillas, chimpanzees and a wide variety of antelope species.
During your stay at Moabi Tented Camp, you’ll go on excursions with experienced nature guides, who’ll share their extensive knowledge with you and show you the park’s most beautiful and wildlife-rich areas. You’ll definitely go on an unforgettable mandrill trek, which offers you the unique chance to observe these magnificent animals up close in their natural habitat. You’ll also take part in two half-day activities that will give you a deeper insight into the park’s diversity. These might include tracking animal tracks through the forest, exploring ancient rock art, or a safari through the savannah landscape.
All activities are organised daily with the guides and are subject to weather conditions. On arrival, the guides will discuss with you what you can do and at what time.
Inclusief:
- Private transfer to your hotel
- Accommodation on a full-board basis, including a mandrill trek and two half-day excursions
Return to Libreville
Following this extraordinary adventure in the heart of Gabon, you will return to civilisation today by private transfer in around 6 to 7 hours. You will stay at the same hotel where you spent the night at the start of your trip.
Inclusief:
- Private transfer to your hotel
- Overnight accommodation including breakfast
Trip to Loango National Park
A new adventure awaits you! You will be transferred to Libreville Airport, where you will board the domestic flight to Port-Gentil. On arrival, you will be taken to the entrance of Loango National Park in around 3 to 4 hours, where you will board a boat to continue your journey to Ndola Camp Loango.
The breathtaking Loango National Park, often described as ‘Africa’s last Eden’, is where rainforest, lagoons, savannahs and beaches converge to form an ecosystem unlike any other. The diversity of habitats ensures extraordinary encounters with wildlife: forest elephants strolling along the beach, hippos venturing into the ocean waves, dazzling birds filling the sky, and primates such as chimpanzees and gorillas hidden deep within the forest.
Inclusief:
- Private transfer to the airport
- Domestic flight Libreville – Port-Gentil
- Transfer by 4x4 and boat to your accommodation
- Accommodation on a full board basis
Gorilla trekking in Loango National Park
Today, an unforgettable experience is on the programme; you’ll be going in search of gorillas in the wild!
First, you’ll be taken to the Yatouga Gorilla Camp. This is where the ‘gorilla team’ lives, and you’ll get a glimpse of what it’s like to live in a research camp in the rainforest. Here, you’ll also receive a briefing on the rules for visiting the gorillas. You will then travel by boat (approximately 10–30 minutes) to the drop-off point to enter the rainforest. From there, you’ll trek for between 10 minutes and three hours to reach the gorillas. This is because the gorillas move in an unpredictable manner. The guide is in close contact with the advance team, who set out early in the morning to locate the gorillas, to ensure you reach the correct location.
During this expedition, you will be accompanied by experienced guides. A network of trails is used, but you may also have to go off-trail to find the gorillas, crawling under and over branches and tree trunks, through mud, small streams and possibly through swamps, so expect to get wet and muddy. The visit to the gorillas lasts about an hour. They can usually be seen from a distance of 10 to 30 metres, but sometimes they feed on fruit that is more than 30 metres up in the trees. There is a lot of tree cover and undergrowth in the forest, which can make it quite dark. However, the guides will help you spot the gorillas. During your visit, the gorillas may be resting, playing, eating or moving through the forest.
The total duration of the gorilla expedition can vary from 2 to 8 hours. After your time with the gorillas, you will make your way back through the rainforest to the pick-up point, where the boat will be waiting to take you back to Yatouga Camp. You will then travel on to your next accommodation nearby, Akaka Forest Camp, from where you will explore the rest of the park over the coming nights.
Tips from the Travel Specialist
Loango is a rainforest, which means it rains a lot. For safety reasons, the expedition will not take place if there is heavy rain. If it rains whilst you are already in the rainforest, the guides will do their utmost to find the gorillas so that you can see them. Gorillas are wild animals and there is no guarantee that they will be sighted during the expedition.
Inclusief:
- Accommodation on a full-board basis, including a gorilla trek
Wildlife spotting in Loango National Park
During your stay at Akaka Forest Camp, you will explore the park in all its splendour. The programme for these days includes game drives through the vast savannahs and dense forests, where you may encounter forest buffalo, antelopes and predators, as well as the park’s unique coastal wildlife. All activities are organised daily with the guides and are subject to weather conditions. Upon arrival, the guides will discuss with you what you can do and at what time of day.
At the lodge itself, you can enjoy delicious meals and enchanting views, with the chance to spot wildlife, including hippos and forest elephants. With a bit of luck, you might even spot a family of chimpanzees crossing the river in search of the delicious fruits of the Ozouga tree.
At sunrise, you’ll be woken by a medley of high-pitched calls from the birds of Akaka, the most striking of which is the black hornbill. During the dry season, thousands of waterbirds also gather here – including herons, storks, jacanas, pelicans, ibises and the rarely seen Hartlaub’s ibis – all vying for the last drops of liquid gold remaining in the small pools of water.
Inclusief:
- Accommodation on a full-board basis, including activities such as game drives and boat safaris
Accommodations
Hôtel de la Sablière
Hôtel de la Sablière is a 4-star hotel, situated in the heart of the residential district of La Sablière in Libreville. The hotel offers sea views, making it a peaceful retreat for guests. The rooms and suites are spacious and comfortable, designed to ensure a relaxing stay. Guests can…
Hôtel de la Sablière is a 4-star hotel, situated in the heart of the residential district of La Sablière in Libreville. The hotel offers sea views, making it a peaceful retreat for guests. The rooms and suites are spacious and comfortable, designed to ensure a relaxing stay. Guests can enjoy a variety of dining options in the hotel’s restaurant and relax with refreshing drinks in the lounge bar. For relaxation, there is a swimming pool where guests can take a refreshing dip.
Your stay: 1 night
Moabi Tented Camp
Moabi Tented Camp, situated in the breathtaking Lopé National Park, offers a special experience in the heart of Gabon’s unspoilt wilderness. Perched on the exclusive ridge at Point du Vue, the camp features six eco-friendly tents, each carefully designed with classic safari furnishings, a comfortable…
Moabi Tented Camp, situated in the breathtaking Lopé National Park, offers a special experience in the heart of Gabon’s unspoilt wilderness. Set on the exclusive ridge at Point du Vue, the camp features six eco-friendly tents, each carefully designed with classic safari furnishings, a comfortable double bed with a mosquito net, and panoramic views stretching as far as the eye can see. Dinner is served under a starry sky, the perfect way to round off a day spent in nature.
Led by experienced guides, you’ll explore the surrounding landscape and come face to face with the endangered mandrills, gorillas and the vibrant birdlife that call this UNESCO World Heritage Site home. Moabi Tented Camp offers not only exclusive accommodation but also a gateway to extraordinary safari experiences. This ensures that every moment you spend here becomes a cherished memory.
Positive impact
Moabi Tented Camp prioritises sustainability: the tents are simple and lightweight in design to minimise disruption to the natural environment; recycled rainwater is used for showers; and electricity is limited to essential facilities. Furthermore, the camp is part of a network that, together with national parks and guides, contributes to wildlife protection and the conservation of biodiversity.
Your stay: 3 nights
Hôtel de la Sablière
Hôtel de la Sablière is a 4-star hotel, situated in the heart of the residential district of La Sablière in Libreville. The hotel offers sea views, making it a peaceful retreat for guests. The rooms and suites are spacious and comfortable, designed to ensure a relaxing stay. Guests can…
Hôtel de la Sablière is a 4-star hotel, situated in the heart of the residential district of La Sablière in Libreville. The hotel offers sea views, making it a peaceful retreat for guests. The rooms and suites are spacious and comfortable, designed to ensure a relaxing stay. Guests can enjoy a variety of dining options in the hotel’s restaurant and relax with refreshing drinks in the lounge bar. For relaxation, there is a swimming pool where guests can take a refreshing dip.
Your stay: 1 night
Ndola Camp Loango
Deep in the heart of Loango National Park in Gabon lies Ndola Luxury Tented Camp, an intimate retreat where the forest meets the lagoon. This remote paradise is accessible only by boat and features eight spacious Meru-style tents, each raised on wooden decks with a private veranda overlooking…
Deep in the heart of Loango National Park in Gabon lies Ndola Luxury Tented Camp, an intimate retreat where the forest meets the lagoon. This remote paradise is accessible only by boat and features eight spacious Meru-style tents, each raised on wooden decks with a private veranda overlooking the serene Iguela lagoon. The camp’s rustic charm is complemented by modern comforts, including en-suite bathrooms and hot water, ensuring a pleasant stay in the heart of nature.
During the day, you can take part in guided safaris, boat trips and birdwatching, immersing yourself in the park’s rich biodiversity. In the evening, you’ll gather in the communal dining area to enjoy fresh, locally sourced dishes, including the camp’s signature jackfish carpaccio, whilst surrounded by the flickering light of lanterns and the sounds of the forest. Ndola Camp offers a unique combination of adventure and relaxation and provides an unforgettable base from which to explore one of Africa’s most unspoilt ecosystems.
Your stay: 1 night
Akaka Forest Camp
Akaka Forest Camp lies deep within the jungle at the confluence of the Ngowe and Echira rivers and is just a 60-kilometre boat journey from Ndola Loango Lodge. It is one of three satellite camps within Loango National Park. All five of Akaka’s safari tents are set on raised platforms and are furnished…
Akaka Forest Camp lies deep within the jungle at the confluence of the Ngowe and Echira rivers and is just a 60-kilometre boat journey from Ndola Loango Lodge. It is one of three satellite camps within Loango National Park. All five of Akaka’s safari tents are set on raised platforms and furnished with two single beds (which can be joined to form a king-size bed) and an en-suite bathroom with a shower overlooking the forest. There are discreet electrical sockets for charging devices, fans and soft lighting. In the restaurant, you can enjoy delicious, locally prepared meals, and the terrace offers an enchanting view of the river. The starry sky here is breathtaking. From almost any vantage point, you’re likely to spot wildlife, including hippos and forest elephants.
This lodge is only open during the dry season: from May to October.
Your stay: 3 nights
Experiences
Gabon gorilla trekking
A gorilla trek in Loango National Park offers nature lovers an unforgettable experience. Accompanied by expert guides, you’ll trek through dense, lush rainforest in search of these impressive primates. The park is home to both western lowland gorillas and a rich diversity of other…
A gorilla trek in Loango National Park offers nature lovers an unforgettable experience. Accompanied by expert guides, you’ll trek through dense, lush rainforest in search of these impressive primates. The park is home to both western lowland gorillas and a rich diversity of other wildlife, from chimpanzees to elephants and buffalo. During the trek, you’ll observe the gorillas in their natural habitat and witness their social behaviour, family structures and communication signals at close quarters. This adventure combines physical exertion with a sense of deep wonder and leaves a lasting impression of Gabon’s unspoilt wilderness.
Destinations
Gabon
This country, which straddles the equator on the west coast of Africa, is a place of natural beauty and a true paradise for adventurous nature lovers. With flat riverbanks and dense rainforests along the Atlantic coast, the Chaillu Mountains in the central highlands and lush jungles in the east, Gabon’s landscape is rugged, unspoilt and teeming with African wildlife, including leopards, elephants, chimpanzees and mountain gorillas.
In addition, the country boasts an idyllic coastline stretching some 800 kilometres, dotted with secluded, palm-fringed bays, hidden lagoons and estuaries teeming with birdlife. With so much to see and experience, Gabon has more than enough charm and diversity to appeal to travellers with a strong sense of adventure. Although the terrain can sometimes be difficult to navigate, the rewards make the effort more than worthwhile.
Libreville
Libreville, situated on the coast of the Central African country of Gabon, is the country’s largest city and capital. This laid-back yet vibrant port city boasts a palm-lined promenade featuring parks and six-metre-high Gabonese sculptures overlooking the glistening coastline. Visitors can look forward to a number of interesting activities, including: strolling through the Mont-Bouet open-air market with its wide selection of local produce, visiting the National Art Museum to see local artworks, or exploring the nearby deserted, idyllic beaches of Cap Esterias or Cap Santa Clara. Don’t miss a visit to Pongara National Park, just outside the capital on the spectacular Komo estuary. This vast park covers more than 900 square kilometres of unspoilt nature.
Lambarene
Recognisable by its fast-flowing river, jungle-like foliage and chirping birds, Lambarene is the third-largest city in Gabon, straddling both banks of the Ogooue River and situated upstream from Port Gentil. This small but lively city offers excellent birding opportunities, which can be enjoyed during a leisurely cruise along the riverbank. Lambarene is best known for the Albert Schweitzer Hospital, built by the German doctor in the early 20th century to treat tropical diseases in the area. Today, the small Schweitzer Hospital Museum commemorates the life and work of Albert Schweitzer through displays of his photographs, paintings and personal belongings. In addition, travellers can visit the city’s Roman Catholic Church, the charming mosque or mingle with locals at the bustling main markets.
Loango National Park
Loango National Park, one of the most enchanting of the thirteen parks in the Central African country of Gabon, offers a spellbinding combination of natural beauty and wildlife. With its unspoilt coastline, dense vegetation, lush mangrove forests, gently flowing rivers and views over the glistening South Atlantic Ocean, Loango National Park is a truly special African destination. Situated in an area with a high density of wildlife, Loango offers its visitors the chance to spot an abundance of wild animals, including elephants, hippos, leopards, crocodiles and monkeys, as well as a large concentration of humpback whales and dolphins, making it one of the most unique places in the world for wildlife viewing. Exciting and educational excursions in this spectacular park include guided walking safaris, sport fishing, birdwatching and gorilla trekking.
Lope National Park
Lope National Park is an ecologically important and wildlife-rich protected area in the heart of Gabon, stretching south of the Ogooue River. The park is characterised by one of the most diverse stretches of rainforest in the Congo Basin, featuring ancient, man-made savannahs, and is home to 84 species of mammals, 405 birds and countless endangered species. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nature lovers visiting the park can spot all manner of elusive and significant animals, including mandrills, forest elephants, leopards, western lowland gorillas, forest buffalo and chimpanzees; as well as bird species such as the crowned eagle, the great blue turaco and many others. More than 1,800 artefacts from the Iron Age and the Stone Age, recently discovered here, also indicate that this was an important site for human evolution. Don’t miss the International Centre for Nature Conservation in the park.
Ivindo National Park
Straddling the border between the provinces of Ogooué-Ivindo and Ogooué-Lolo, Ivindo National Park is a remote sanctuary where dense equatorial rainforest, winding rivers and dramatic waterfalls characterise its wild terrain. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised for its rich biodiversity, shelters elusive species such as forest elephants, western lowland gorillas and grey-cheeked mangabeys within its lush canopy. Adventurers come in search of Kongou Falls, renowned for its roaring cascades that plunge 56 metres over granite rocks, offering a stark contrast to the tranquil rapids of the Ivindo River below. Established in 2002, the park preserves critical habitat and supports ecological research whilst inviting intrepid visitors to explore on foot or by dugout canoe. Hiking trails penetrate deep into the forest, leading to isolated clearings where rare orchids bloom. For those with an interest in ecology, the Ipassa Research Station offers an insight into the area’s rich flora and fauna, highlighting the park’s role in Gabon’s conservation efforts.
Gabon trip | Ultimate wildlife adventure
The price for this trip is available on request.
The tour price is an estimate and is subject to factors including availability and travel dates.
Included
• Domestic flights
• Accommodation in charming lodges, tented camps and hotels
• All meals as specified in the ‘itinerary’
• All excursions as mentioned in the ‘itinerary’, including game drives, mandrill spotting and gorilla trekking
• All necessary private transfers as mentioned
• Meet & Greet on arrival
• National Geographic or similar travel guide
• Administration fees (€50 per booking)
Positive impact of your trip:
• Contribution of €50 per person towards a positive impact via the Avila Foundation
• Accommodation at Moabi Tented Camp & Ndola Camp Loango
Not included
• International flights
• Room category upgrade
• Travel and/or cancellation insurance
• Visa fees
• Tourist tax (where applicable)
• Seat reservations
• Personal expenses/tips
• Any departure tax when leaving the destination
• Entrance fees, where applicable
• Meals not specified and optional excursions
• Contribution to the Calamity Fund (€2.50 per booking)
• SGR contribution (€5 per person)