This is a BUDGET trip, meaning we will take a taxi-brousse, with the assistance of our guide, from Libreville all the way to Ivindo National Park. The trip will be done in a public bus with no air conditioning and will be bumpy at times, although that would also be the case in a 4×4. It is however possible to go by 4 x 4, please contact us if you want to upgrade this tour and know it will alter the price drastically. Please know that this is Central Africa and allow yourself always one or two buffer days in Libreville in case of transport delays caused by rainfall and make sure you have enough time to get your PCR-results. We are not responsible for anyone missing their flight because of this. Make sure that you are physically fit and that you are able to walk up to 10 hours a day. Know that when it has rained, the walk becomes even more demanding. We are not responsible for any holdups on clients’ part causing the trip to delay and clients missing their flight. We can not stress enough how important it is to have enough buffer time in Libreville. Allow yourself at least two days. Not only because of the travel within the park, but also delays by buses who can sometimes be late or held up because of bad road conditions.
Ivindo National Park comprises 3.000 km2 and was created in 2002 by President Bongo, and is currently managed by the WCS and the ANPN. Since 2021 it has been listed as a world heritage site. The park is famous for the spectacular Kongou and Mingouli waterfalls of the Ivindo River. The Kongou Falls are over 3 kilometers wide and up to 56 meters high and are one of the most spectacular sites in the country. We go visit the falls by taking a pirogue, which takes a few hours to get there. The park also includes the Ipassa Makokou Biosphere Reserve and Langoué Baï, which is a forest clearing. The baï is around one kilometer by 300 meters wide and has a small camp used by the WCS to monitor wildlife in the park. The mineral-rich soil attracts several animals, especially forest elephants who come to feed on the saline soil. The frequent visits of the elephants helps the survival of the baï as they’re constantly digging in the dirt and making it impossible for new trees to grow. Buffaloes also roam the clearance, often accompanied by sitatungas, red river hogs, mangabeys, several bird species and even gorillas. You can watch the show from the platform which is located next to the baï.
With its 300.000 ha the park offers both Atlantic coastal forest and semi-deciduous forest. It’s a haven for wildlife and has healthy populations of lowland gorillas and chimpanzees. We also find mandrills, monkeys, leopards, African golden cats, three different species of pangolins, buffalos, red river hogs, hippos, bongos, sitatungas and large groups of forest elephants. The park also is home to tons of bird species (over 430) and it’s not uncommon to see African grey parrots. During your visit you will also see a large variety of colorful butterflies.
This trip allows you to cross the whole park from north to south, by means of traditional canoe and walking. You need to be in good shape to do this trip and have adequate gear to bring along, including a good light-weight tent. On this trip we will go to the Lanouè Bai, which was discovered by westerners only 21 years ago. It is a demanding trip in which you’ll be camping, sleeping in tents and eating simple meals cooked in the fire. You will often be in wet and muddy circumstances, be stung by insects, and might experience heavy rain if you decide to come during the rain season. If you’re up for the adventure, it is an amazing chance to discover one of the most remote forests in Africa and you will see many animals such as mandrills, antelopes, elephants, monkeys, otters and others. We will travel along the Djidji river and will also clim the Kingue Mountain, which will give us a view like you’ve never had before: rainforest in every direction, as far as the eye reaches. At the baï we will have the chance to see large mammals such as elephants, buffalos and even gorillas.
Itinerary
Day 1: Today we embark on one of the public buses to go to a village near the forest. You will be accompanied by one of our guides, to make sure you’re in good hands. You will sleep in Makokou or Loaloa, depending on availability. (meals not included)
Day 2: Visit to the Kongou Falls and explore the area by boat and walking.
Day 3: Visit to the Bouila N’a Ngondé Falls on foot.
Day 4: Further down south by canoe and walking towards the Djidji River.
Day 5: Further walking towards the Djidji River.
Day 6: Descent on the Djidji-River for half a day if there is enough water, otherwise we’ll go on foot.
Day 7: Walk towards Langoué, visit and hike Mount Kingué.
Day 8: Visit to the Langoué Baï where we’ll use the platform to see the animals.
Day 9: Visit to the Langoué Baï where we’ll use the platform to see the animals.
Day 10: Back to the village by means of car and canoe. Accommodation in the village (meals at the village not included)
Day 11: Taxi-brousse back to Libreville.
Included:
– Transport by taxi-brousse from Libreville to Ivindo and back.
– Accommodation during the whole trip in basic accommodation and tents.
– Meals on day 2 and 3, 4, breakfast and lunch on day 5
– Camping in Ivindo National Park with meals included.
– Guidance by a professional local guide and team
– Visit to Momba baî.
– Activities in the park.
– Boat rental in the park.
– Park entry permits.
Not included:
– Meals at the hotel/village near Ivindo NP when not camping/in the park.
– Meals and drinks in Libreville.
– Meals and drinks on the bus.
– Alcoholic beverages and sodas.
– Tips.
– Tent.
Please, allow yourself 1 or 2 buffer days in Libreville in case of any problems we might encounter on the road such as heavy rain and massive potholes.
Bring adequate clothing, a lightweight tent, sleeping mat and sleeping bag/sheets, comfortable backpack, good walking shoes, enough socks, swimming clothes, light rain jacket, backpack, sun cream, mosquito repellent, torch, plenty of water and medication. Be sure that you have good insurance as we’re not responsible for any accidents.
