Loango National Park
9 Day Itinerary departing from Libreville , Gabon

Day 1: Arrive in Libreville , Gabon . After clearing customs and immigrations, transfer to the hotel and depending on arrival time enjoy a tour of Libreville .

Day 2: Transfer by boat to the Gorilla Island Evengue, dedicated to the rehabilitation of a small gorilla family, which forms part of a breeding program enabling offspring to return to the wild in Gabon . Eco-guides and research experts will explain more about the program and its long-terms objectives. Spend free time discovering the island by foot or kayak searching for birds, mammals, such as water chevrotain, and reptiles including the dwarf crocodile. Overnight on the island and enjoy an aperitif by the campfire. 

Day 3: After breakfast, depart for Iguela and the Loango area by boat. Visit the small town of St. Anne en-route, where Gustave Eiffel (of tower fame) built an iron church in the late 1800s. Stop at the missionary post, a small hospital, cemetery and the beautiful ‘bamboo cathedral'. Embark on a journey down the “black water” Mpivie River, through some very dense rainforest searching for monkeys, slender-snouted crocodiles, as well as a Hartlaub's duck, finfoots, fishing owl, white-crested tiger heron and many more. After arrival, drive by 4x4 vehicle to the lodge, with spectacular views of the lagoon, savannahs and forests and enjoy an evening safari.

Days 4, 5 & 6: After breakfast, depart by 4x4 to the Tassi/Louri area, a mosaic of savannah, primary and secondary forest, swamp, and small coastal lagoons and stretches of endless beaches. The area's diverse habitat ensures that most of the resident wildlife is seen all year round and forest elephant, forest buffalo, red river hog and sitatunga are regularly sighted. Excursions to Louri and the Louri Lagoon can be made, where there is a good chance of seeing buffalo and elephant on the beach. Visit the Max Planck Institute in Tassi Sud, a project aimed at habituating primates, and learn more about their behavioural aspects and much more from the researchers and local staff. The overnight camp spans an ancient beach ridge catching the ocean breeze and giving it an elevated, 360º view of the surrounding landscape.

Day 7: Discover the beauty of other parts of Loango National Park this morning with its diversity of landscapes and animals - by car into the savannah, on foot into the mangroves, by kayak over the lagoon or by ‘houseboat' along the shore. In the afternoon, take a short boat tour on the Loango Lagoon to Point St. Catherine beach camp, a few hundred meters north of the Iguéla Lagoon mouth. Swim in sheltered bays along deserted beaches, collect shells and enjoy some fishing. During the turtle season (October - February), join research teams on turtle walks, gathering scientific data on turtle nesting activity and behaviour.

Day 8: Return to the main lodge and spend the day further exploring Loango National Park with a choice of game drives, walking safaris, cultural walks, whale-watching (in season) and the possibility of joining the Wildlife Conservation Society researchers for dinner and a presentation on the conservation efforts in this Eden of Africa. Visit the picturesque Okume Forest to learn how to survive in the forest and the myths, medicinal uses of plants and trees, and all the other hidden treasures of the forest will be revealed. Or take a late afternoon trip on the 'houseboat' to Bat and Bird Island with its immense flocks of birds.

Day 9: Enjoy your last safari activity this morning game drive and return by air to Libreville and the evening departure home.

Gabon also presents several extensions visiting the lush islands of Principe and São Tomé, or visit the first National Park declared in Gabon , Lope National Park . Please enquire for further details.