- Duration: 15 Days (approx.)
- Location: Libreville
- Product code: gabon
Rainforest And Coastal Safari, including Mandrill Tracking
Gabon is a premier wildlife destination nestled in the heart of Africa and often hailed as the "last Eden" on Earth due to its unparalleled biodiversity and vast, untouched landscapes. With over 85% of its territory covered in dense rainforests and a network of 13 national parks protecting more than 11% of the country, Gabon offers an authentic safari experience and is completely off the beaten path. What makes Gabon special is its harmonious blend of ecosystems: from pristine beaches and lagoons to deep jungles. Gabon is home to several iconic species like forest elephants, western lowland gorillas, chimpanzees and colorful mandrills. Thanks to Gabon’s commitment to conservation and its low visitor numbers, travelers can witness Africa's raw wilderness as it existed centuries ago, making Gabon a hidden gem for eco-adventurers seeking profound connections with nature. During your safari package in Gabon we will visit Moukalaba-Doudou National Park, Loango National Park, Sette Cama and Lekedi Reserve.
Moukalaba-Doudou National Park stands out as a primate paradise in southwestern Gabon, boasting one of the highest concentrations of apes in the country, including western lowland gorillas and chimpanzees that have been habituated for close-up viewing. It consists of diverse habitats, ranging from dense rainforests and papyrus swamps to grassy savannas and mountainous terrain around the Ndogo Lagoon. We can find high numbers of wildlife such as forest elephants, hippos, waterbucks, and aquatic birds.
Loango National Park is the perfect combination of coastal and forest ecosystems, where forest elephants roam pristine beaches and hippos famously "surf" in the waves, a spectacle found nowhere else on the planet. Spanning mangroves, savannas, and lagoons, the park teems with wildlife including western lowland gorillas, leopards, chimpanzees, red river hogs, sitatungas, duikers, crocodiles, and buffaloes, while its over 100 kilometers of untouched coastline attracts humpback whales and other marine wildlife.
Lekedi, a private reserve in southeastern Gabon, shines as a top spot for mandrill enthusiasts, offering the world's best opportunities to observe and photograph large habituated mandrill troops, especially during their colorful mating season from June to September. Fenced and divided into sectors for managed wildlife viewing, the park hosts a variety of species including gorillas, chimpanzees, elephants, buffalos, monkeys, antelopes, giant pangolins, spotted otters, and more.
During your Gabon travel package we’ll also visit Sette Cama, a safari and fishing camp south of Loango National Park on Gabon's wild Atlantic coast where you can have even more encounters with chimpanzees and lowland gorillas as well as red river hogs, sitatungas, duikers, and more.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Libreville
Arrival in Libreville and transfer to your hotel (Hotelière Sablière, Radisson or similar)
Day 2: Flight from Libreville to Franceville
Today we’ll take the flight to Franceville where we will visit the Poubara Falls & the Liana Bridge. Overnight stay at Buding Hotel or similar.
Day 3: Mandrill Tracking at Lekedi
Transfer to Lekedi where we’ll go on mandrill trekking. Camping in Leconi Canyon.
Day 4: Leconi Canyon - Franceville
Morning exploration in Leconi Canyon after which we’ll return to Franceville and fly to Libreville. Transfer to Hôtel de la Sablière or Radisson Blu. Enjoy a B’witi ceremony in the evening.
Day 5: Flight from Libreville to Gamba
Scenic flight from Libreville to Gamba (departs at 9:00), transfer to Moukalaba-Doudou National Park. Full-board stay at the Nyanga Lodge, Moukalaba-Doudou.
Day 6: Safari at Moukalaba-Doudou National Park
Safari at Moukalaba- Doudou with turtle nesting (November to March). Full-board stay at the Nyanga Lodge, Moukalaba-Doudou.
Day 7: Moukalaba-Doudou National Park
Safari activities at Moukalaba-Doudou. Full-board stay at the Nyanga Lodge, Moukalaba-Doudou.
Day 8: Moukalaba-Doudou to Sette Cama Camp
Transfer to Sette Cama by 4x4, stay at Sette Cama camp.
Day 9: Sette Cama Camp
Safari activities such as looking for chimpanzees, if desired you can also go fish (need to bring your own material).
Day 10: Rainforest hike from Sette Cama to Savannah Camp at Loango
Full day forest traverse to Loango, possible encounters with wild gorillas and other animals. Stay at Loango Savannah Camp.
Day 11: Gorilla trekking at Loango National Park
Gorilla tracking at Loango National Park. Full-board stay at Savannah Camp.
Day 12 and day 13: Safari at Loango National Park
Safari activities at Loango National Park (fishing possible with own material). Full-board stay at Savannah Camp.
Day 14: Loango to Port-Gentil
Morning safari if time allows at Loango and then transfer to Port-Gentil. Evening flight to Libreville and transfer to your hotel (Radisson Blu or similar)
Day 15: Departure
Transfer to the airport and departure. End of tour.
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)
Important! Scheduled charters between Gamba and Libreville are only on Thursdays. Private charters have to be arranged well in advance!
The Radisson Hotel and Hotel La Sablière are excellent hotels, though still not at the same level of a hotel in Europe/US.
The luxury camps of Nyanga and Loango Savannah Camp are designed to have a comfortable glamping experience in the wild with comfortable beds, solar energy and more. Please, be aware that you are in the wild, so there will always be insects and small critters. The camps do their best to have the tents spotless and mosquito-free, but take measures.
Always be aware that trains and flights can get cancelled and delayed, it's good to have buffer days, especially in the end.
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.
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.
Luggage allowance: if you will be hiking from Loango to Sounga, we do not recommend more than 10 kg/person. If you’re going to Loango / Moukalaba-Doudou by plane, a maximum of 20 kg is permitted per person and subject to payload.
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.
