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.
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.
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.
Day 2: Today we will go to the Kongou Falls, which will take us three to four hours to get there and provide us opportunities to see the forest and its inhabitants from your canoe. In the afternoon we’ll go for a hike in the afternoon and will then return back to our camp.
Day 3: Visit to the Bouila N’a Ngondé Falls by combination of hiking and taking a canoe and explore the area around. Sleeping at the camp.
Day 4: Half day march in the forest with opportunities to see animals and get to know more about the area. Return to the village.
Day 5: Return to Libreville by public transport.
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, breakfast on day 4
– Camping in Ivindo National Park with meals included.
– Guidance by a professional local guide and team
– Visit to the waterfalls.
– Activities 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.
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, 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.
