Lopé – Moukalaba-Doudou National Park with gorilla tracking and beach safari

Our twelve day tour package starts from Gabon’s capital Libreville and brings us first to Lopé National Park by train. On arrival we’ll stay at a local hotel and the next day we’ll go camping into Lopé  forest with a dedicated wildlife guide looking for birds, primates and other mammals such as mandrills, elephants and bongos. Our journey continues to the town of Lambaréné on the way to Tchibanga, from which we’ll enter the Moukalaba-Doudou National Park for gorilla tracking as well as looking for other animals such as chimpanzees.

Lopé National Park

Lopé National Park in central Gabon mixes thick rainforests with wide savannas, giving you amazing views where the green trees meet golden grasslands under a big sky. The park is packed with animals: forest elephants stomping around in herds, chimpanzees swinging from branches, and western lowland gorillas enjoying their time in family groups. With a bit of luck you can spot colorful mandrills with their bright faces foraging on the ground, or sun-tailed guenons and black colobus monkeys, besides sitatunga, duikers, buffaloes, hogs and more. Lopé National Park is also an important bird haven with  over 400 kinds of birds, from hornbills to eagles. 

Moukalaba-Doudou National Park

Down in southwest Gabon, Moukalaba-Doudou National Park stands out with its rugged mountains, misty forests, and open grassy savannas that roll down to rivers and lagoons, creating mesmerizing landscapes. The park is packed with animals —western lowland gorillas roaming in groups, central chimpanzees exploring the trees, and forest elephants wandering through the shrubs. You'll also find hippos in the water, quick mandrills on the move, and even smaller critters like bushbabies or chameleons blending into the scenery. Birds are everywhere too, with storks and others flying over, making the park feel like a peaceful, hidden spot full of life and natural charm.

Itinerary 

Day 1: Train from Libreville to Lopé National Park 

Jungle train transfer from Libreville to Lopé National Park. Overnight at local hotel at Lopé. 

Day 2 - 3: Camping with primate tracking at Lopé National Park

Two days of camping at Lopé National Park with our wildlife guide looking for primates such as gorillas, chimpanzees and mandrilles as well as buffaloes, elephants and more.

Day 4: 4x4 safari and drive to Lambaréné 

Morning safari at the savanna of Lopé to look for animals such as elephants and buffaloes, followed by transport towards Lambaréné, which in in the middle of Lopé and Tchibanga. 

Day 5: Lambaréné to Tchibanga 

Drive from Lambaréné to Tchibanga today.

Day 6: Safari at Moukalaba-Doudou National Park 

We’ll explore the park today assisted by the local wildlife guides. Overnight at basic accommodation. 

Day 7: Gorilla tracking at Moukalaba-Doudou National Park  - Tchibanga

Morning gorilla tracking and then back to Tchibanga. 

Day 8 + 9 : Tchibanga to Libreville through Lambaréné

Drive from Tchibanga to Libreville through Lambaréné and transfer to your hotel.

Day 10: Wonga Wongué Reserve 

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

Day 11: Wonga Wongue Reserve

Enjoy your walking and jeep safari today. 

Day 12: Libreville

Back to Libreville and transfer to your hotel of choice, end of tour. (Hotel not included) 

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, Lopé NP and Loango NP

- 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. 

- The bungalows in Wonga Wongue are basic, but correct, there is electricity and water. Your stay is full-board.

- The budget option for Moukalaba NP has very correct, but very basic accommodation, limited electricity, running water and no A/C. 

- The hotels in Tchibanga and Lambaréné are basic, but correct. 

- 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. 

- Pongara, Moukalaba-Doudou and Loango all have high-end lodges, charters by helicopter and private plane can all be arranged to get a true luxury glamping experience. 

- Always be aware that trains and flights can get cancelled and delayed, it's good to have buffer days. Heavy rainfall can also alter the programme, be prepared for this. We are not responsible for any force 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. 

- The 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. 

- Leatherback turtles can be seen during a nocturnal visit from November until late February at the Nyanga Camp in Moukalaba-Doudou and can also be seen at Pongara National Park if you would like to add this to your booking.
- Humpback whale watching is possible from June until September. 

- Consult your doctor for malaria meds and other diseases. Make sure to protect yourself against mosquitoes (long pants, closed shoes with socks, DEET, etc). 

- 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.

- 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.