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Gabon and Sao Tome Wildlife Adventure
This incredible 14 night trip combines the wildlife of Gabon, home to half the world's surviving forest elephants, and Sao Tome, the remote volcanic archipelago
Highlights
Explore Loango, the ‘jewel in the crown’ of Gabon’s 13 national parks.
Have the opportunity to spend an hour with Gabon’s only troop of habituated Western gorilla.
See small groups of forest elephant, forest buffalo and red river hog grazing on the savannah.
Search for hippo and crocodiles along the rivers and lagoons.
Experience the brilliant contrast of the tiny tropical island of Sao Tome after spending time on mainland Africa.
Explore Sao Tome’s mangrove, stand on the equator mark, see turtles (between November and March) or humpback whales (July to October) and snorkel in the clear tropical water.
During the two week Gabon and Sao Tome Wildlife Adventure you’ll spend 4 days in Loango National Park.
You’ll be exploring its incredibly diverse ecosystem from beach and forest to savannah and lagoon and look for its secretive wildlife including forest elephant, forest buffalo, red river hogs and perhaps find sitatunga antelope and mangabey monkeys.
You’ll have an adventure searching for crocodiles after dark and, if the conditions are right, you’ll have the opportunity to spend an unforgettable hour with a group of habituated western lowland gorilla.
From Loango you will travel back up to Libreville and fly across the Gulf of Guinea to the tropical island of Sao Tome where you’ll spend 4 days. You’ll stay at Praia Inhame on Sao Tome’s southern beaches where turtles nest right outside the bungalows between November – March. You’ll have the opportunity to whale watch (July – October), explore the Malzana mangrove by boat and swim and snorkel in the islands crystal clear tropical water. We’ve included an unforgettable boat trip to the islet of Rolas where you can visit the equator mark.
Due to the logistics of flights and transfers, this holiday departs on Saturdays only.
Day 1
Fly to Libreville. When you arrive, you’ll be met at the airport and taken to the Hotel de la Sabliere (10-20 mins). Beautifully decorated with a strong African flavour, and with all the comforts a weary traveller desires, the Hotel promises relaxation and a good night’s sleep.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel du Phare
Day 2
Free day : Today you have a free day in Libreville, either to explore at your leisure, or have a guided tour. The National Museum houses a fascinating collection of Gabonese face masks, head masks and musical instruments and is well worth a visit. Gabon has around 50 ethnic groups and the museum’s guided tours give you a great insight into some of the traditions they follow, including the Bwiti ceremony. It’s fun to have lunch in one of Libreville’s cafes and restaurants, or explore the local food markets where fresh fish and meats are grilled on charcoal and accompanied by bowls of rice and plantain.
Hotel de la Sabliere is on the beach and has a restaurant where you can have lunch and dinner if you choose to relax here.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel du Phare
Day 3
You’ll be taken to the airport for your 30 minute flight to Port Gentil. When you arrive at Port Gentil you’ll be met at the airport and driven to Loango Lodge. The drive takes 4-5 hours along a combination of the new Chinese tarmac road, and a mud road. The muddy sections are bumpy and can take some time to negotiate.
You’ll arrive in time for a delicious lunch served when you arrive at n’Dola Luxury Camp restaurant. The restaurant looks across the Iguela Lagoon to Loango National Park which lies on the other side of the river.
In Gabon, the wildlife experience is not the same as in Kenya or Tanzania and the thrill is in experiencing the environment. Not many tourists venture this far so when you do see wildlife, you will often have the experience to yourself.
On your excursions over the next few days, you’ll be looking out for forest buffalo, forest elephant, hippo, crocodile, sitatunga antelope and red river hog as well as the putty nosed and moustached monkey, and white-collared mangabey. The park has an incredible variety of bird species too, with some 342 recorded from rosy bee-eaters to storks, African skimmers and vultures.
The wildlife uses different habitats at different times of year, and is easier to see some months than others. Your local guides are in tune with the nature of the landscape and understand how wildlife behaves. Still, nothing in nature is predictable and each venture into the park will be different.
All wildlife watching activities at Loango are included (gorilla visits have to be request at the time of booking …see day 4 and whale watching trips (only available 15 July – 5 September) and this afternoon you’ll head out on a river trip or vehicle tour. River trips explore the lagoon where you might see hippo poking their heads above the dark water, and elephant browsing along the quiet banks. At all times in Gabon, you’ll need to have your flash turned off when you photograph wildlife. Vehicle trips take place in open game drive vehicles and take you along sandy tracks across wide open areas of savannah inside the park. The roads are unmade and drives are always bumpy!
Loango Lodge has a couple of satellite camps and, depending on your interests, you might like to spend a night or two at one of these (for no extra cost). These stays will be arranged when you’re at Loango.
Accommodation on this day: Loango Lodge
Day 4
Included : Morning and afternoon wildlife watching activities. Each day, you’ll be taken into Loango National Park in the morning and afternoon, returning to the camp for lunch (or during visits to satellite camps). These excursions take you to explore different ecosystems and vary according to season, weather and your interests. Today you might do a 1-2 hour forest nature walk in the morning and a savannah wildlife drive in the afternoon. Vehicle trips take place in open game drive vehicles and take you along sandy tracks across wide open areas of savannah inside the park. The roads are unmade and drives are always bumpy!
Gorilla trekking : During your stay at Loango you might like to trek to see Loango’s group of habituated gorillas…these are the only habituated gorillas in Gabon. This visit not included in the holiday price but if you are interested please let us know and we will book it for you. Visiting the gorillas depends on several factors.
Gorilla trekking is only possible when the conditions are right, which means you have good weather and the gorilla are foraging in an accessible area. Treks are limited to 4 people and each person must be free of illness including common colds. To limit the impact on the gorillas, gorilla visits just occur a few days a week, not daily, and visits are limited to 1 hour. You may have to walk a few km through the rainforest before you see the gorilla and the experience is an adventure.
Accommodation on this day: Loango Lodge
Day 5
Included : Morning and afternoon wildlife trips. Today you might have a boat trip down the Iguela Lagoon towards the estuary. The river dissects mangrove swamp, dominated by red mangrove whose long aerial roots and spectacular stilt roots arch high into the water. The reflection in the dark water is often flawless.
If the conditions allow, your guide will anchor the boat on a sandy bank near the river mouth and you’ll explore the long sandy beach on foot. Look for flocks of African skimmers and Damara terns and watch the ghost crabs scuttle in the waves. You might see forest buffalo grazing where the vegetation meets the beach, and red river hogs nosing through the sand.
One evening during your stay, if the conditions are right, you will have the opportunity to spend an evening searching for crocodiles. There are three species of crocodile residing in the lagoon; Nile, slender snouted and dwarf, and you’ll head east, upstream from the lodge to find them.
The experience is fascinating and beautiful; on a clear night, travelling by boat through the dark under a sky full of stars is unforgettable.
Accommodation on this day: Loango Lodge
Day 6
Included : Morning and afternoon wildlife trips. This morning you might take kayaks out on Lourie Lagoon. Over 18km long, the thin finger of Lourie Lagoon runs parallel to the ocean, separated by a narrow strip of beach. You’ll explore on sit on top kayaks with your guide, keeping a keen eye out for hippos! Weaver birds nests adorn the trees along the banks, and you’ll spot inelegant hamerkop nests built high up in the canopy. The utter peace of the lagoon is to be savoured so take your time to enjoy the detail. Perhaps shore your kayaks and spend some time exploring the beach for a while too.
This afternoon you might explore a different area of the park on a drive through the wide patches of grassy savannah.
There are many different things you might see on these drives; you might discover a large forest crab, spot a small group of forest elephants grazing, catch a glimpse of a shy sitatunga, watch a herd of red river hog foraging or photograph a family of forest buffalo with their helpful oxpecker birds riding along on their backs. Sometimes, your guides will have a secret up their sleeve…like taking you to an area where you can see gorgeous crimson breasted rosy bee-eaters dart around their ground nest.
Accommodation on this day: Loango Lodge
Day 7
Today you will transfer by vehicle back to Port Gentil (4-5 hours), then fly to Libreville (30 mins). You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to the Hotel de la Sabliere where you can unwind and relax after your journey.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel du Phare
Day 8
Free day : Today you have a free day to relax.
You might like to take a boat to Pongara National Park and have a tour of this beautiful area. Turtles nest on shore at night time and you might be lucky enough to spot their nest. The park is an excellent place to spot birdlife that lives in its varied ecosystems.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel du Phare
Day 9
Today you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight from Libreville to Sao Tome (1 hour – flights are currently on Thursdays and Sundays). When you arrive on Sao Tome you will be met at the airport and transferred to Praia Inhame (2 hours). Settle into your bungalow on the beach and go for a swim or snorkel before having dinner in the restaurant overlooking the ocean.
Accommodation on this day: Praia Inhame Eco Lodge
Day 10
Free day : Today you have a free day and might like to have a whale watching trip (available between July and October), go diving from Rolas islet or have a free day to snorkel, swim and enjoy the beach.
Between November and the end of March, turtles nest on the beaches at Praia Inhame and you can ask the wardens to wake you if they come on shore during your stay.
Accommodation on this day: Praia Inhame Eco Lodge
Day 11
Included: Return boat ride in a pirogue style boat to Rolas islet where you can stand on the equator.
Accommodation on this day: Praia Inhame Eco Lodge
Day 12
Free day : Today you have a free day and might like to join our mangrove canoe trip. You’ll explore the watery world of the Malzana River mangrove, a species rich ecosystem protected by the Obo National Park.
Accommodation on this day: Praia Inhame Eco Lodge
Day 13
Today we’ll take you back up to the airport for your flight back to Libreville. You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to the Hotel de la Sabliere where you can unwind and relax after your journey.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel du Phare
Day 14
Today you’ll be taken to the airport for your (usually) overnight flight home. If you have some free time today you might like to visit the craft markets where you can buy beautiful gifts and mementos.
Day 15
Today you will arrive home
Crocodile Boat Trips
After dark, your guide will take you on a boat trip deep into the lagoon in search of Nile, slender-snouted and dwarf crocodiles. This exciting and interesting excursion is not to be missed.
Whale watching trips
Between 15 July and 5 September, whale watching trips take you to see the humpback whales that mate in the ocean just off Gabon. As whale watching trips are dependent on the weather and other factors, they can only be booked and paid for when you are at the lodge - please ask Emma and Susanne for details.
Turtle watching excursions
In December and January we quietly look for the leatherback and olive ridley turtles who nest on Loango's beach; this is a magical experience of a lifetime.
Gorilla Trekking
Loango is the only place in Gabon where it's possible to spend time with western gorilla. Join researchers from the Max Planck Institute (who also study gorilla in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda) to see these incredible apes close up. Find out more about our gorilla trekking experiences by clicking the 'Our Travel Stories' tab and reading 'Trekking with gorilla in Gabon'.
Forest Nature Walks
Explore Gabon's fascinating forest and search for putty-nosed, moustached and mangabey monkeys; listen for bird calls and forest elephants; wonder at the height of the incredible hard wood trees and look for insects as you follow your guides across the leaf litter.
Mangrove and Lagoon Boat Trips
You'll wind your way slowly through the mangrove, picking up speed to cross the vast lagoons and be overwhelmed by the enormity of this incredibly rich, wild landscape.
Savannah Wildlife Drives
Loango offers the rare opportunity to be alone with wildlife on the savannah - you'll probably be the only ones driving in the park. Here the grasslands are not packed with animals but patient searching often rewards with forest elephant, forest buffalo, red river hogs, many bird species and sometimes, the sitatunga antelope. Vehicle trips take place in open game drive vehicles and take you along sandy tracks across wide open areas of savannah inside the park. The roads are unmade and drives are always bumpy!
Beach Wilderness Walks
Walk along stretches of Loango's 175km of uninhabited beach and be surrounded by African skimmers and Damara Terns. If you're very lucky you could see forest buffalo, forest elephant, red river hogs or even lowland gorillas.
Loango Lodge
Elegant Loango Lodge is perched on the banks of a wide river that forms part of the extensive Iguela Lagoon. The lodge is made up of simply furnished, comfortable en-suite wooden bungalows, with air conditioning and hot water. Each bungalow has a private terrrace facing the river, perfect for spotting elephants on the banks opposite. The river is a boundary of the Loango National Park, safely keeping the wildlife in sight, but not too close!
The lodge’s spacious stilted riverside restaurant provides simple French inspired breakfasts and delicious three course cooked lunches and dinners. All guests stay on a full board basis and wildlife watching activities, except visiting the gorilla and whale watching, are included. Guests can enjoy relaxing on sofas in the communal areas and will have access to wifi here. There is an outdoor pool, bar serving a good range of drinks, and outdoor terrace where you can meals and down time admiring the river (perhaps seeing hippo!) and spotting wildlife in the national park beyond.
During their stay at Loango Lodge, guests may be invited to spend a night or two at one of Loango’s satellite camps inside Loango National Park. These camps are currently being developed and we’ll have more information about them soon…for now, please ask Emma or Susanne for more details.
Hotel du Phare
The Hotel du Phare is a small, stylish and comfortable hotel set right on the beach in Libreville’s northern suburbs. It’s 15 fresh and charming rooms and 1 apartment are spacious and most have fantastic sea views. The rooms have en suite bathrooms with hot water showers, air conditioning, wifi, cable TV, mini bar and tea and coffee making facilities.
Guests have direct access to the beach from the hotel and can enjoy the bar and French inspired restaurant. The airport is just 5 minutes’ drive away and we always include return airport transfers.
Praia Inhame Eco Lodge
The Praia Inhame Eco Lodge is beautiful eco-resort located on the southern tip of Sao Tome. The twelve delightful en-suite wooden bungalows on stilts are situated on a small section of a pristine beach in a lush tropical environment. There isn’t A/C, but there are ceiling fans and you can sleep with windows open as all have mosquito nets.
The lodge offers a guided mangrove trip, a walk uphill to the old Soviet wireless station for a great view across the island, turtle watching (November to March), and a day trip to Rolas islet. The restaurant overlooks the beach and is open sided with a bar on one side and a restaurant on the other.
Where is Gabon?
Gabon is found on the west coast of central Africa, just one hour’s flight across the Gulf of Guinea from the tropical islands of São Tomé and Príncipe. The equator dissects Gabon just to the south of the capital, Libreville, and the country is bordered by Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon to the north, and the Republic of Congo to the south and east.
When is the best time to visit?
Gabon’s equatorial climate is hot (temperatures between 24 and 30 degrees C) and humid (around 85% humidity) all year. The months of May – September/early October and December – January tend to be the driest while you could experience downpours during other months; November being particularly wet.
Each month there is something to see so planning your holiday dates needs to be a careful balance between the weather and your wildlife interests. Your Gabon specialist will help you decide, but here’s a quick overview of the best times to see wildlife:
Mammals and primates: It’s possible to see forest elephants, forest buffalo, red river hog, hippo, crocodile, mangabey monkey and Western gorilla throughout the year although sightings are not guaranteed and there are seasonal variations.
Forest elephant come to feed on the edge of the savannah between October and April. Then from June to the end of August, you’ll find them in the flooded forests at Akaka, still inside the park, to the south east of Loango Lodge.
Unlike the safari experiences of southern and eastern Africa, large herds are not found in Loango and you are more likely to see small families of two to five elephants, and three to fifteen buffalo.
Hippo have been hunted extensively so remain in the lagoons and rivers during the day, coming to graze on land at nightfall.
You’ll have most chance of the incredible site of these animals on the beach between December and April.
Gorilla trekking can be done at any time of year, but the conditions need to be right which means you have good weather, and the gorilla are foraging in an accessible area.
Gorilla trekking groups are limited to 4 people and each person must be free of illness including common colds. To limit the impact on the gorillas, gorilla visits just occur a few days a week, not daily, and visits are limited to 1 hour. You may have to walk several km through the rainforest before you see the gorilla. As visiting the gorillas depends on several factors, fees are paid directly to the lodge.
Birds: More than 340 species of bird have been recorded across Loango’s 1,550sqkm of beach, ocean, river, mangrove, savannah and rainforest habitat. Everyone will be rewarded with seeing a variety of bird species as soon as they arrive, and keen bird watchers can enjoy searching for rarer species such as the African river-martin.
Whales: Humpback whales use Gabon’s coast as a breeding ground between June and September and between 15 July and 5 September, if the conditions are right, it’s possible to whale watch from Loango Lodge.
Turtles: leatherback, olive ridley and to a lesser extent, green turtles, come to nest on Gabon’s beaches in December and January. Watching them with our guides during our night-time turtle watching excursions is a magical experience. Those very keen on seeing turtles should consider combining Gabon with the nearby tropical islands of Sao Tome and Principe…see our suggested holiday itineraries.
Crocodiles: Nile, slender-snouted and dwarf crocodile nest in November but you can see them all year round during our special crocodile finding boat trips.
How do I get to Gabon?
There are daily flights from the UK and Europe to Gabon and time in the air is around 9 hours (total time travelling will be longer as flights require a connection). Flights are included with your holiday and your Gabon specialist will find the best flight times and prices for you.
Do I need a visa for Gabon?
You will need a visa and we arrange this for you as part of your holiday. Visas can’t currently be paid for in advance so you will need to pay €85 per person in cash when you arrive at the airport in Libreville.
Is it safe to travel to Gabon?
Gabon is a safe and relatively wealthy country with a peaceful history. Like many places in the world though, it’s worth keeping your safety in mind in urban areas. For more information about what it’s like to travel in Gabon, give us a ring and chat to someone who’s been.
Do I need vaccinations for Gabon?
It’s best to check with your doctor to make sure you’re up to date with your vaccinations before you travel. You will need to have a Yellow Fever vaccination at least 10 days before travelling to Gabon and you will be asked to present your certificate when you arrive.
Are there any wildlife hazards in Gabon?
It’s advisable to avoid insect bites by wearing long sleeves and trousers and / or wearing insect repellant with DEET as malaria, dengue fever and sleeping sickness (carried by the tsete fly) are present. We recommend taking anti malarial tablets and your doctor will be able to advise you about this. Gabon has been categorised as having a moderate risk of Zika (ZIKV) virus transmission. For comprehensive health advise on visiting Gabon please visit www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk.
As you will be visiting places with mostly peaceful but potentially dangerous wildlife such as elephants, there are some risks with our Gabon Holidays. Make sure you listen closely to your guide at all times and follow their instructions; do not wander off alone unless you’ve checked this is ok first.
Highlights
Explore Loango, the ‘jewel in the crown’ of Gabon’s 13 national parks.
Have the opportunity to spend an hour with Gabon’s only troop of habituated Western gorilla.
See small groups of forest elephant, forest buffalo and red river hog grazing on the savannah.
Search for hippo and crocodiles along the rivers and lagoons.
Experience the brilliant contrast of the tiny tropical island of Sao Tome after spending time on mainland Africa.
Explore Sao Tome’s mangrove, stand on the equator mark, see turtles (between November and March) or humpback whales (July to October) and snorkel in the clear tropical water.
During the two week Gabon and Sao Tome Wildlife Adventure you’ll spend 4 days in Loango National Park.
You’ll be exploring its incredibly diverse ecosystem from beach and forest to savannah and lagoon and look for its secretive wildlife including forest elephant, forest buffalo, red river hogs and perhaps find sitatunga antelope and mangabey monkeys.
You’ll have an adventure searching for crocodiles after dark and, if the conditions are right, you’ll have the opportunity to spend an unforgettable hour with a group of habituated western lowland gorilla.
From Loango you will travel back up to Libreville and fly across the Gulf of Guinea to the tropical island of Sao Tome where you’ll spend 4 days. You’ll stay at Praia Inhame on Sao Tome’s southern beaches where turtles nest right outside the bungalows between November – March. You’ll have the opportunity to whale watch (July – October), explore the Malzana mangrove by boat and swim and snorkel in the islands crystal clear tropical water. We’ve included an unforgettable boat trip to the islet of Rolas where you can visit the equator mark.
Due to the logistics of flights and transfers, this holiday departs on Saturdays only.
Day 1
Fly to Libreville. When you arrive, you’ll be met at the airport and taken to the Hotel de la Sabliere (10-20 mins). Beautifully decorated with a strong African flavour, and with all the comforts a weary traveller desires, the Hotel promises relaxation and a good night’s sleep.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel du Phare
Day 2
Free day : Today you have a free day in Libreville, either to explore at your leisure, or have a guided tour. The National Museum houses a fascinating collection of Gabonese face masks, head masks and musical instruments and is well worth a visit. Gabon has around 50 ethnic groups and the museum’s guided tours give you a great insight into some of the traditions they follow, including the Bwiti ceremony. It’s fun to have lunch in one of Libreville’s cafes and restaurants, or explore the local food markets where fresh fish and meats are grilled on charcoal and accompanied by bowls of rice and plantain.
Hotel de la Sabliere is on the beach and has a restaurant where you can have lunch and dinner if you choose to relax here.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel du Phare
Day 3
You’ll be taken to the airport for your 30 minute flight to Port Gentil. When you arrive at Port Gentil you’ll be met at the airport and driven to Loango Lodge. The drive takes 4-5 hours along a combination of the new Chinese tarmac road, and a mud road. The muddy sections are bumpy and can take some time to negotiate.
You’ll arrive in time for a delicious lunch served when you arrive at n’Dola Luxury Camp restaurant. The restaurant looks across the Iguela Lagoon to Loango National Park which lies on the other side of the river.
In Gabon, the wildlife experience is not the same as in Kenya or Tanzania and the thrill is in experiencing the environment. Not many tourists venture this far so when you do see wildlife, you will often have the experience to yourself.
On your excursions over the next few days, you’ll be looking out for forest buffalo, forest elephant, hippo, crocodile, sitatunga antelope and red river hog as well as the putty nosed and moustached monkey, and white-collared mangabey. The park has an incredible variety of bird species too, with some 342 recorded from rosy bee-eaters to storks, African skimmers and vultures.
The wildlife uses different habitats at different times of year, and is easier to see some months than others. Your local guides are in tune with the nature of the landscape and understand how wildlife behaves. Still, nothing in nature is predictable and each venture into the park will be different.
All wildlife watching activities at Loango are included (gorilla visits have to be request at the time of booking …see day 4 and whale watching trips (only available 15 July – 5 September) and this afternoon you’ll head out on a river trip or vehicle tour. River trips explore the lagoon where you might see hippo poking their heads above the dark water, and elephant browsing along the quiet banks. At all times in Gabon, you’ll need to have your flash turned off when you photograph wildlife. Vehicle trips take place in open game drive vehicles and take you along sandy tracks across wide open areas of savannah inside the park. The roads are unmade and drives are always bumpy!
Loango Lodge has a couple of satellite camps and, depending on your interests, you might like to spend a night or two at one of these (for no extra cost). These stays will be arranged when you’re at Loango.
Accommodation on this day: Loango Lodge
Day 4
Included : Morning and afternoon wildlife watching activities. Each day, you’ll be taken into Loango National Park in the morning and afternoon, returning to the camp for lunch (or during visits to satellite camps). These excursions take you to explore different ecosystems and vary according to season, weather and your interests. Today you might do a 1-2 hour forest nature walk in the morning and a savannah wildlife drive in the afternoon. Vehicle trips take place in open game drive vehicles and take you along sandy tracks across wide open areas of savannah inside the park. The roads are unmade and drives are always bumpy!
Gorilla trekking : During your stay at Loango you might like to trek to see Loango’s group of habituated gorillas…these are the only habituated gorillas in Gabon. This visit not included in the holiday price but if you are interested please let us know and we will book it for you. Visiting the gorillas depends on several factors.
Gorilla trekking is only possible when the conditions are right, which means you have good weather and the gorilla are foraging in an accessible area. Treks are limited to 4 people and each person must be free of illness including common colds. To limit the impact on the gorillas, gorilla visits just occur a few days a week, not daily, and visits are limited to 1 hour. You may have to walk a few km through the rainforest before you see the gorilla and the experience is an adventure.
Accommodation on this day: Loango Lodge
Day 5
Included : Morning and afternoon wildlife trips. Today you might have a boat trip down the Iguela Lagoon towards the estuary. The river dissects mangrove swamp, dominated by red mangrove whose long aerial roots and spectacular stilt roots arch high into the water. The reflection in the dark water is often flawless.
If the conditions allow, your guide will anchor the boat on a sandy bank near the river mouth and you’ll explore the long sandy beach on foot. Look for flocks of African skimmers and Damara terns and watch the ghost crabs scuttle in the waves. You might see forest buffalo grazing where the vegetation meets the beach, and red river hogs nosing through the sand.
One evening during your stay, if the conditions are right, you will have the opportunity to spend an evening searching for crocodiles. There are three species of crocodile residing in the lagoon; Nile, slender snouted and dwarf, and you’ll head east, upstream from the lodge to find them.
The experience is fascinating and beautiful; on a clear night, travelling by boat through the dark under a sky full of stars is unforgettable.
Accommodation on this day: Loango Lodge
Day 6
Included : Morning and afternoon wildlife trips. This morning you might take kayaks out on Lourie Lagoon. Over 18km long, the thin finger of Lourie Lagoon runs parallel to the ocean, separated by a narrow strip of beach. You’ll explore on sit on top kayaks with your guide, keeping a keen eye out for hippos! Weaver birds nests adorn the trees along the banks, and you’ll spot inelegant hamerkop nests built high up in the canopy. The utter peace of the lagoon is to be savoured so take your time to enjoy the detail. Perhaps shore your kayaks and spend some time exploring the beach for a while too.
This afternoon you might explore a different area of the park on a drive through the wide patches of grassy savannah.
There are many different things you might see on these drives; you might discover a large forest crab, spot a small group of forest elephants grazing, catch a glimpse of a shy sitatunga, watch a herd of red river hog foraging or photograph a family of forest buffalo with their helpful oxpecker birds riding along on their backs. Sometimes, your guides will have a secret up their sleeve…like taking you to an area where you can see gorgeous crimson breasted rosy bee-eaters dart around their ground nest.
Accommodation on this day: Loango Lodge
Day 7
Today you will transfer by vehicle back to Port Gentil (4-5 hours), then fly to Libreville (30 mins). You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to the Hotel de la Sabliere where you can unwind and relax after your journey.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel du Phare
Day 8
Free day : Today you have a free day to relax.
You might like to take a boat to Pongara National Park and have a tour of this beautiful area. Turtles nest on shore at night time and you might be lucky enough to spot their nest. The park is an excellent place to spot birdlife that lives in its varied ecosystems.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel du Phare
Day 9
Today you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight from Libreville to Sao Tome (1 hour – flights are currently on Thursdays and Sundays). When you arrive on Sao Tome you will be met at the airport and transferred to Praia Inhame (2 hours). Settle into your bungalow on the beach and go for a swim or snorkel before having dinner in the restaurant overlooking the ocean.
Accommodation on this day: Praia Inhame Eco Lodge
Day 10
Free day : Today you have a free day and might like to have a whale watching trip (available between July and October), go diving from Rolas islet or have a free day to snorkel, swim and enjoy the beach.
Between November and the end of March, turtles nest on the beaches at Praia Inhame and you can ask the wardens to wake you if they come on shore during your stay.
Accommodation on this day: Praia Inhame Eco Lodge
Day 11
Included: Return boat ride in a pirogue style boat to Rolas islet where you can stand on the equator.
Accommodation on this day: Praia Inhame Eco Lodge
Day 12
Free day : Today you have a free day and might like to join our mangrove canoe trip. You’ll explore the watery world of the Malzana River mangrove, a species rich ecosystem protected by the Obo National Park.
Accommodation on this day: Praia Inhame Eco Lodge
Day 13
Today we’ll take you back up to the airport for your flight back to Libreville. You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to the Hotel de la Sabliere where you can unwind and relax after your journey.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel du Phare
Day 14
Today you’ll be taken to the airport for your (usually) overnight flight home. If you have some free time today you might like to visit the craft markets where you can buy beautiful gifts and mementos.
Day 15
Today you will arrive home
Crocodile Boat Trips
After dark, your guide will take you on a boat trip deep into the lagoon in search of Nile, slender-snouted and dwarf crocodiles. This exciting and interesting excursion is not to be missed.
Whale watching trips
Between 15 July and 5 September, whale watching trips take you to see the humpback whales that mate in the ocean just off Gabon. As whale watching trips are dependent on the weather and other factors, they can only be booked and paid for when you are at the lodge - please ask Emma and Susanne for details.
Turtle watching excursions
In December and January we quietly look for the leatherback and olive ridley turtles who nest on Loango's beach; this is a magical experience of a lifetime.
Gorilla Trekking
Loango is the only place in Gabon where it's possible to spend time with western gorilla. Join researchers from the Max Planck Institute (who also study gorilla in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda) to see these incredible apes close up. Find out more about our gorilla trekking experiences by clicking the 'Our Travel Stories' tab and reading 'Trekking with gorilla in Gabon'.
Forest Nature Walks
Explore Gabon's fascinating forest and search for putty-nosed, moustached and mangabey monkeys; listen for bird calls and forest elephants; wonder at the height of the incredible hard wood trees and look for insects as you follow your guides across the leaf litter.
Mangrove and Lagoon Boat Trips
You'll wind your way slowly through the mangrove, picking up speed to cross the vast lagoons and be overwhelmed by the enormity of this incredibly rich, wild landscape.
Savannah Wildlife Drives
Loango offers the rare opportunity to be alone with wildlife on the savannah - you'll probably be the only ones driving in the park. Here the grasslands are not packed with animals but patient searching often rewards with forest elephant, forest buffalo, red river hogs, many bird species and sometimes, the sitatunga antelope. Vehicle trips take place in open game drive vehicles and take you along sandy tracks across wide open areas of savannah inside the park. The roads are unmade and drives are always bumpy!
Beach Wilderness Walks
Walk along stretches of Loango's 175km of uninhabited beach and be surrounded by African skimmers and Damara Terns. If you're very lucky you could see forest buffalo, forest elephant, red river hogs or even lowland gorillas.
Loango Lodge
Elegant Loango Lodge is perched on the banks of a wide river that forms part of the extensive Iguela Lagoon. The lodge is made up of simply furnished, comfortable en-suite wooden bungalows, with air conditioning and hot water. Each bungalow has a private terrrace facing the river, perfect for spotting elephants on the banks opposite. The river is a boundary of the Loango National Park, safely keeping the wildlife in sight, but not too close!
The lodge’s spacious stilted riverside restaurant provides simple French inspired breakfasts and delicious three course cooked lunches and dinners. All guests stay on a full board basis and wildlife watching activities, except visiting the gorilla and whale watching, are included. Guests can enjoy relaxing on sofas in the communal areas and will have access to wifi here. There is an outdoor pool, bar serving a good range of drinks, and outdoor terrace where you can meals and down time admiring the river (perhaps seeing hippo!) and spotting wildlife in the national park beyond.
During their stay at Loango Lodge, guests may be invited to spend a night or two at one of Loango’s satellite camps inside Loango National Park. These camps are currently being developed and we’ll have more information about them soon…for now, please ask Emma or Susanne for more details.
Hotel du Phare
The Hotel du Phare is a small, stylish and comfortable hotel set right on the beach in Libreville’s northern suburbs. It’s 15 fresh and charming rooms and 1 apartment are spacious and most have fantastic sea views. The rooms have en suite bathrooms with hot water showers, air conditioning, wifi, cable TV, mini bar and tea and coffee making facilities.
Guests have direct access to the beach from the hotel and can enjoy the bar and French inspired restaurant. The airport is just 5 minutes’ drive away and we always include return airport transfers.
Praia Inhame Eco Lodge
The Praia Inhame Eco Lodge is beautiful eco-resort located on the southern tip of Sao Tome. The twelve delightful en-suite wooden bungalows on stilts are situated on a small section of a pristine beach in a lush tropical environment. There isn’t A/C, but there are ceiling fans and you can sleep with windows open as all have mosquito nets.
The lodge offers a guided mangrove trip, a walk uphill to the old Soviet wireless station for a great view across the island, turtle watching (November to March), and a day trip to Rolas islet. The restaurant overlooks the beach and is open sided with a bar on one side and a restaurant on the other.
Where is Gabon?
Gabon is found on the west coast of central Africa, just one hour’s flight across the Gulf of Guinea from the tropical islands of São Tomé and Príncipe. The equator dissects Gabon just to the south of the capital, Libreville, and the country is bordered by Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon to the north, and the Republic of Congo to the south and east.
When is the best time to visit?
Gabon’s equatorial climate is hot (temperatures between 24 and 30 degrees C) and humid (around 85% humidity) all year. The months of May – September/early October and December – January tend to be the driest while you could experience downpours during other months; November being particularly wet.
Each month there is something to see so planning your holiday dates needs to be a careful balance between the weather and your wildlife interests. Your Gabon specialist will help you decide, but here’s a quick overview of the best times to see wildlife:
Mammals and primates: It’s possible to see forest elephants, forest buffalo, red river hog, hippo, crocodile, mangabey monkey and Western gorilla throughout the year although sightings are not guaranteed and there are seasonal variations.
Forest elephant come to feed on the edge of the savannah between October and April. Then from June to the end of August, you’ll find them in the flooded forests at Akaka, still inside the park, to the south east of Loango Lodge.
Unlike the safari experiences of southern and eastern Africa, large herds are not found in Loango and you are more likely to see small families of two to five elephants, and three to fifteen buffalo.
Hippo have been hunted extensively so remain in the lagoons and rivers during the day, coming to graze on land at nightfall.
You’ll have most chance of the incredible site of these animals on the beach between December and April.
Gorilla trekking can be done at any time of year, but the conditions need to be right which means you have good weather, and the gorilla are foraging in an accessible area.
Gorilla trekking groups are limited to 4 people and each person must be free of illness including common colds. To limit the impact on the gorillas, gorilla visits just occur a few days a week, not daily, and visits are limited to 1 hour. You may have to walk several km through the rainforest before you see the gorilla. As visiting the gorillas depends on several factors, fees are paid directly to the lodge.
Birds: More than 340 species of bird have been recorded across Loango’s 1,550sqkm of beach, ocean, river, mangrove, savannah and rainforest habitat. Everyone will be rewarded with seeing a variety of bird species as soon as they arrive, and keen bird watchers can enjoy searching for rarer species such as the African river-martin.
Whales: Humpback whales use Gabon’s coast as a breeding ground between June and September and between 15 July and 5 September, if the conditions are right, it’s possible to whale watch from Loango Lodge.
Turtles: leatherback, olive ridley and to a lesser extent, green turtles, come to nest on Gabon’s beaches in December and January. Watching them with our guides during our night-time turtle watching excursions is a magical experience. Those very keen on seeing turtles should consider combining Gabon with the nearby tropical islands of Sao Tome and Principe…see our suggested holiday itineraries.
Crocodiles: Nile, slender-snouted and dwarf crocodile nest in November but you can see them all year round during our special crocodile finding boat trips.
How do I get to Gabon?
There are daily flights from the UK and Europe to Gabon and time in the air is around 9 hours (total time travelling will be longer as flights require a connection). Flights are included with your holiday and your Gabon specialist will find the best flight times and prices for you.
Do I need a visa for Gabon?
You will need a visa and we arrange this for you as part of your holiday. Visas can’t currently be paid for in advance so you will need to pay €85 per person in cash when you arrive at the airport in Libreville.
Is it safe to travel to Gabon?
Gabon is a safe and relatively wealthy country with a peaceful history. Like many places in the world though, it’s worth keeping your safety in mind in urban areas. For more information about what it’s like to travel in Gabon, give us a ring and chat to someone who’s been.
Do I need vaccinations for Gabon?
It’s best to check with your doctor to make sure you’re up to date with your vaccinations before you travel. You will need to have a Yellow Fever vaccination at least 10 days before travelling to Gabon and you will be asked to present your certificate when you arrive.
Are there any wildlife hazards in Gabon?
It’s advisable to avoid insect bites by wearing long sleeves and trousers and / or wearing insect repellant with DEET as malaria, dengue fever and sleeping sickness (carried by the tsete fly) are present. We recommend taking anti malarial tablets and your doctor will be able to advise you about this. Gabon has been categorised as having a moderate risk of Zika (ZIKV) virus transmission. For comprehensive health advise on visiting Gabon please visit www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk.
As you will be visiting places with mostly peaceful but potentially dangerous wildlife such as elephants, there are some risks with our Gabon Holidays. Make sure you listen closely to your guide at all times and follow their instructions; do not wander off alone unless you’ve checked this is ok first.
