On this budget trip, you’ll get to discover Port-Gentil, a small town compared to Libreville with only 140.000 inhabitants, but the most important seaport of Gabon. Near Cap Lopez, the peninsula of Port Gentil is also the most western point in Gabon! It’s pretty quiet compared to the capital, but it’s still an important place for the petrol-industry, meaning the city attracts money and for its small size it has therefore a few spots where one can relax on unspoilt sandy beaches near the Atlantic Ocean watching the boats go by. The forest is never too far off and with a 4×4 or a boat you don’t have to go far to be in the rainforest abundant with wildlife. During the whale season you can spot whales not too far off the beach as well.
In 1473 the Portuguese navigator Lopo Gonçalves already sailed near Cape Lopez and the first settlements were built on Mandji Island in the delta of the Ogooué River by the French in 1873, used a base for the expeditions of de Brazza who went into the interior of Gabon and Congo from there out. By the end of the 1890’s it became a trading center for products such as rubber, ivory and wood. After World War I it became a port for timber and not longer after that oil was discovered with its first oil refinery established in the sixties by Sogara and later the addition of natural gas.
Many people from Libreville, both Gabonese and expats come here for a few days, especially on long weekends or for easter, to relax, fish and explore. Port Gentil is also a good base to go to Omboué and Loango National Park to see wildlife such as elephants, crocodiles, monkeys, hippos and even gorillas in Loango.
If you want to save money you can go to Port Gentil the local way, by ferry, as it’s a nice 3 to 4 hour journey along the coastline, treating us with beautiful views of the Gabonese coast. It’s also a way to escape the extremely expensive air tickets! In Port-Gentil you can visit beaches such as Sogara Beach and explore Cap Lopez, which is about half an hour from downtown and at the tip of Mandji Island, it was also the place where slave ships set off for Europe in darker times with the rusty lighthouse as its last witness. Cap Lopez has become the oil terminal of Total and even though there is oil industry, the peninsula offers beautiful paradisiacal beaches with coconut trees, which are full of life during weekends.
On arrival you will be greeted by someone who will escort you to the beach from where you will take the boat to a small private island, your little paradise for the weekend.
The island houses a charming little lodge with a few bungalows, nestled in between palm trees on a small island not too far from the coast. Only known by locals, you won’t find this place on booking or tripadvisor! Here, your only duty is to relax and enjoy the island. You will fall in love with the meals being prepared and also try out the cocktails! You will be staying for three nights and two full days, enough time to relax. On the island there are plenty of activities such as wakeboarding, jet skiing, kayaking, fishing, whale watching (during the season)
On the last day we need to leave early to be in time for the next ferry back to Libreville. It was a short, but fulfilling trip which will leave you with many beautiful memories. Please, know that the ferry schedules have become irregular due to covid. This is why we cannot offer this trip with transport from Libreville included. However, shoot us a message and we’ll be able to give you an answer closer to the date and we can help you by buying either a ferry ticket or a plane ticket (there are three planes a day).
INCLUDES:
– 3 nights on a tropical island, breakfast included.
– boat transfer from Port-Gentil to the island and back.
NOT INCLUDED:
– Meals
– Tips
– Transport between Libreville and Port-Gentil
– Activities on the island.
Please, allow yourself 1 or 2 buffer days in Libreville in case of any problems we might encounter such as cancelled ferries.
Bring towel, shampoo, soap, clothing, towels, adequate clothing, swimming clothes, light rain jacket, sun cream, mosquito repellent, torch and medication. Be sure that you have good insurance as we’re not responsible for any accidents.
