Gabon Coast Safari And Eco Camping Tour: Wonga Wongue, Lopé And Ogooué Delta Rainforest

This immersive 11-day travel programme in Gabon offers a comprehensive introduction to the country’s extraordinary biodiversity, pristine landscapes, and rich cultural heritage. Our travel itinerary showcases Gabon’s unique ecosystems, from coastal reserves to dense rainforests and river deltas, while providing opportunities to engage with local communities and conservation efforts.

We begin our adventure at the Wonga Wongué Reserve, a stunning coastal sanctuary just a short drive from Gabon’s vibrant capital, Libreville. Spanning over 5,000 square kilometers, this reserve is a haven for wildlife and features a unique blend of savanna, forest, and beach ecosystems. We’ll stay at an eco-friendly camp and will look for animals on a daily safari, such as buffaloes, forest elephants, and hippos wandering along the beach or swimming in the ocean. With the help of our local guides, we will look for red river hogs, sitatunga antelopes, and a variety of seabirds. 

Next in our travel programme, we travel to Lopé National Park, located in central Gabon, consisting of savanna and dense rainforest and home to one of the highest densities of primates in Africa. We will go on a true camping safari in the rainforest and together with the local wildlife guides and will look for western lowland gorillas, chimpanzees, and forest elephants, as well as colorful species like the mandrill, known for its vibrant facial markings. For those interested, we can add a specialized mandrill tracking day.

From Lopé National Park, our journey continues to Lambaréné, a historic town along the Ogooué River, famously associated with Dr. Albert Schweitzer, who founded a hospital here in 1913. We’ll visit the Schweitzer Hospital Museum, which preserves the legacy of his humanitarian work, offering a cultural perspective on Gabon’s colonial and post-colonial history.

From Lambaréné, we’ll venture into the Ogooué River Delta, a sprawling wetland ecosystem teeming with biodiversity. Staying on eco-conscious tented platforms nestled within the forest, we’ll explore the delta’s network of waterways by pirogue. Guided by local guides we will go on a true jungle safari looking for manatees, crocodiles, and rare bird species like the African fish eagle and Pel’s fishing owl.

Itinerary 

Day 1: Libreville to Wonga Wongue

Meet up at the Michel Marina at 8.30 am and then transfer to the Wonga Wongue Reserve by boat and 4x4, full-board stay at local chalet with daily safari activity (walking and jeep). 

Day 2: Wonga Wongue reserve

Morning and afternoon safari at Wonga Wongué looking for animals. 

Day 3: Wonga Wongue to Libreville 

Back to Libreville by the end of the afternoon. Overnight at local hotel (Namaste or similar) 

Day 4: Train to Lopé NP, arrival at night, local hotel 

Take the jungle train to Lopé National Park and stay at a local hotel for the night. 

Day 5 - 6: Lopé National Park 

Two days of camping looking for wildlife such as mandrills, chimpanzees and gorillas on daily walking safari inside Lopé National Park. 

Day 7: 4x4 safari and Mont Lopé

If the train schedule allows we will look for elephants, buffaloes and more on a jeep safari at the savanna of Lopé and will then go on a hike on Mont Lopé. We will take the train back in the late evening to Libreville where we’ll stay at a local hotel (Namasté Hotel or similar)

Day 8: Lopé to Lambaréné

Transfer by car to Lambarene, visit to the Albert Schweitzer Hospital and overnight stay at a local hotel. 

Day 9: Lambaréné into the Ogooué River Delta 

Boat trip on the Ogooué River to a tented platform in the forest with great views over the lake. Exploration of the forest looking for animals. 

Day 10: Rainforest Safari

Exploration of the forest through walking and pirogue. 

Day 11: Lambaréné - Libreville

Drive back to Libreville, drop off at your hotel and end the tour. 

The itinerary has to be adjusted to the train schedule; if not, it will cost 700 euro per way by car. 

Includes:
- Meals at Wonga Wongue and Lopé National Park 

- Doesn't include meals outside the parks

- Accommodation / camping 

- Transport by train 

- Activities 

- Guiding 

Doesn't include:
- Meals outside the parks 

- Drinks 

- Visa and visa assistance

- Tips 

- Flights 

Important! Gabon's infrastructure is not as developed as in other countries and we still suffer from blackouts and sometimes water can get cut. Please, have realistic experiences, especially when going into the wild. Please, bring the necessary means to bring camping and traveling as comfortable as possible (torches, power banks, DEET, an extra towel and sheet, baby wipes, water, snacks, etc) 

- Camping in Lopé NP is in mobile tent camps with no ground facilities. Your stay is full-board.
- Camping at Lake Ogooué is in tents on wooden platforms with basic, correct facilities and limited solar power. Your stay is full-board.
- The bungalows in Wonga Wongue are basic, but correct, there is electricity and water. Your stay is full-board.
- The budget and midrange hotels in Libreville and Port Gentil are ok and correct, but do not offer the same comfort as western hotels. The Radisson is the only hotel with good infrastructure if you want an upgrade.

- Always be aware that trains and flights can get cancelled and delayed, it's good to have buffer days and we ask you to be flexible with the itinerary. We are not responsible for missed flights and connections or alterations in the programme due to train delays and other forces majeure.
- Specialised mandrill tracking can be added to the programme. The best season for big groups is July to September. During the rest of the year, groups are smaller.  This is 700 euro per person. .

- Make sure to have your yellow fever vaccination card on you on arrival, as well as your visa, invitation letter, hotel bookings and flight tickets.
- The Gabon e-visa system has not been working. We offer assistance for this at 120 euro per person to get the e-visa for longer tours. For tours of only two nights or shorter, we charge 230 euro per person. 
-  Consult your doctor for malaria meds and other diseases. Make sure to protect yourself against mosquitoes (long pants, closed shoes with socks, DEET, etc).
- Credit card: it is possible to use your credit card in Libreville, but at the parks, everything is handled by cash.
- Tips: tips are not expected but always welcome. We recommend 15 euro per person per day and 15 euro for all general staff per person per day.
- Reservation: your booking is confirmed with a 30 percent deposit. For bookings at Loango National Park and Moukalaba-Doudou Nyanga Lodge we require a 50 percent non-refundable deposit and signed waiver and booking terms.  In some cases, third party supplier terms and conditions may require a higher deposit,particularly during peak periods; in this case, we will inform you accordingly.
- The outstanding balance must be paid 60 days before the trip for general tours and for tours to Loango National Park and Nyanga Lodge at Moukalaba-Doudou 90 days before the trip commences. All payments are to be done by bank transfer to our US Bank Account. We do not accept credit cards or WUM.
- Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory and must be taken out at the time of booking confirmation. Coverage should include trip cancellation and interruption, emergency medical and related expenses, lost baggage, liability and travel delays. If you plan to participate in a dangerous or high-risk activity, please inform your insurer as additional coverage may be required. Our company cannot be held responsible for any loss incurred due to cancellation, regardless of the circumstance.
- Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the return date of your trip and contain at least three blank pages for visas, excluding validation pages.
- Children under the age of 12 years are, regretfully, not allowed.
- Rates shown are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances such as increased government taxes and levies.