Embassy of Gabon in South Africa - National Parks in Gabon

Close to Libreville, bordering the Mondah and Corisco bays
Mangroves and beaches:
The mangrove and tidal flat landscapes of the Mondah and Corisco bays are vast and pristine.

Birds:
Akanda hosts the largest populations of migratory birds in Gabon.
Turtles:
The undersea pastures of the Corisco bay are important feeding zones for turtles, which come from as far afield as Brazil.
Fishing:
The Mondah and Corisco bays are rich breeding areas for fish life
International status:
Akanda National Park is an IUCN Critical Site and fulfills the Ramsar criteria as a zone of international importance for migratory birds.
Boundaries:
The boundaries are shown on the map.
Tourist facilities:
Akanda Island and Point can only be reached by boat, either by sea or by way of the rivers and creeks of the Mondah bay complex.
There is a small tourist camp there, and day trips from Libreville are possible.

At the southern end of the Chaillu Massif, named after Mont Birougou, 975 metres in altitude
A forest refuge:
Scientists think that this was part of one of Gabon’s ‘Forest refuges’- these are large blocks of forest which persisted in the Chaillu Massif and Cristal Mountains during drier periods in the past.
At the heart of traditional Gabon:
The Massif is covered by a web of footpaths, well away from modern communications.
The Bwiti religion seems to have its origins in the Massif- buildings called Mbandja are used for traditional ceremonies.
Adventure walks:
Mountains, valleys, torrents and waterfalls offer possibilities for discovery and adventure tourism.
Caves:
The Bongolo caves of the region are well known. The Mouyanama caves, closer to the Park, are particularly interesting.
International status:
The least disturbed sector in a larger IUCN Critical Site- this is a key watershed area, containing the sources of the Nyanga, Lolo and Onoy rivers.
The area around the Mouyanama mission, with its waterfalls and flora rich in begonias, could become a sanctuary associated with the Park.
Tourist facilities:
The abandoned Protestant mission of Mouyanama could be renovated to cater for tourists. A museum and scientific research station could be created there.
Tourist walks could be set up at Mouyanama as well as in the Park itself.

Between the Ogooue and Ivindo rivers, downstream from Makokou
The most impressive waterfalls of Central Africa:
The Kongou, Mingouli and Djidji falls are the biggest and most spectacular waterfalls of forested Africa.
Bais (waterhole clearings):
Discovered recently in 2000, the Langoue Bai has the largest concentrations of easily observable elephants and gorillas in Gabon.
Naïve apes:
Humans are unknown to gorillas and chimpanzees here, thus they are naïve and relatively easy to approach.
Wilderness rivers:
The Ivindo and Djidji rivers with their majestic falls are
Ideal for canoe and kayak expeditions.
Ipassa research station:
A network of paths where, for 20 years, much of the early research on the ecology of the Central African rainforest took place.
International status:
The park, which is an IUCN Critical Site for conservation, includes the Ipassa Nature Reserve, managed by the ministry responsible for scientific research and currently the only MAB (UNESCO) site in Gabon.
Tourist facilities:
The Ipassa research station, created in 1972, is now being renovated with European Union funding. The remarkable network of paths, set up for the purposes of scientific research, can still be used and this offers possibilities for tourism.
An important WCS project is currently preparing facilities and training staff at the Langoue Bai site, ready for reception of tourists WCS has set up a trust fund for the management of the zone.

Situated between the Nkomi and Ndogo lagoons, Loango is the jewel of Africa’s western coast.
Gorillas and elephants on the beach:
Loango offers breathtaking panoramas and the unique opportunity to observe elephant, buffalo, hippo, gorilla and leopard venturing onto the white sand beachfront.
Whales:
The largest concentration and variety of whales and dolphins after South Africa. Humpback whales and even killer whales are easy to observe.
Wilderness beaches:
The area has over 100 kilometers of uninhabited coastline. This is the most beautiful spot on Africa’s western coast- where forests, savannas, wetlands, lagoons and ocean meet.
Sport fishing:
Loango is renowned worldwide as a site for tarpon of recorded size, as well as many other large saltwater fish.
International status:
Previously classed as a faunal reserve, the zone is acknowledged by IUCN as a Critical Site for conservation. Also a Ramsar Site, it has recently been proposed as a World Heritage Site.
Tourist facilities:
A management programme was started by WWF in 1996. Three existing Wildlife Department posts are an important foundation for the future protection of the zone. Tourist camps at Iguela and Sette Cama cater for international guests.

At the heart of Gabon on the Ogooué river, a patchwork of savanna and forest.
Gorilla observation:
The international reputation of the Lopé stems from the scientific research done there in the last 20 years on gorillas and chimpamzees. In October 2001 the Mikongo camp opened to develop international tourism based on gorilla viewing in the forest.
Landscapes witness the past:
The oldest signs of human presence in forested Central Africa, dating from 400 000 years ago, have been found near the Lopé. The rock engravings of the Lopé are among the oldest in Central Africa. The magnificent Lopé landscapes were made famous by the explorer Savorgnan de Brazza.
Exploring the Offoué:
A trip down the Offoué river is reminiscent of traditional journeys by boat in forested Africa.
Mandrill troops:
The Lopé mandrill troops are huge. Troops can be made up over 1000 individuals. This makes them the biggest gatherings of primates known in the world. It is also home to the world’s latest addition to the Cercopithecus species known to science- the Solatus monkey.
Birds:
Lopé is one of the sites most frequently visited by birdwatchers in Gabon. Nearly 400 different bird species have already been recorded.
International status:
Gabon’s first protected area, Lopé is identified by IUCN as a Critical Site for conservation and has been proposed as a World Heritage Site.
Tourist facilities:
ECOFAC (European Union) has created significant Park management infrastructure since 1993.
The train journey to the Lopé is convenient- and pitoresque. A first class hotel caters to international guests.
A well developed network of roads and paths allows observation of large mammals in the savanna and forest, and of gorillas at the Mikongo camp.

A narrow spit of sand in the extreme south of the country, between Mayumba and the Congo border.
Turtles:
The Mayumba beaches have the largest concentrations of nesting leatherback turtles known in the world.
Whale-watching:
Observation of whales, now very popular, could be organized.
Sport fishing:
There is a huge potential for sport fishing especially at the mouth of the Banio lagoon.
Endless white beaches:
The ideal seaside site with completely empty beaches
Between ocean and lagoon:
Large mammals can be observed on the thin strips of land which separates the sea from the Banio lagoon.
International status:
The most important beach on Earth for leatherback turtles, it is proposed as a World Heritage Site.
A transboundary Park has been proposed which links Mayumba with the Conkouati National Park in the Congo.
Tourist facilities:
Projects funded by the European Union and WCS ensure the surveillance of turtle nests.
Hotels provide good accommodation for tourists and Mayumba is easily accessible by plane.

Situated in the extreme northeast of the country, a huge expanse of forest at present virtually uninhabited.
Uninhabited forest:
When the Fang people left the Minkebe region in the first half of the twentieth century it became a massive expanse of forest without permanent human habitations. Trees many hundreds of years old are found throughout the region and it is crisscrossed by huge elephant paths. Numerous marshy clearings break the forest cover.
Inselbergs:
The landscape is dominated by isolated rock domes overlooking the surrounding forest canopy. They are covered by grasslands and cactus-like plants, and offer panoramas of endless forest.
River expeditions:
The Minbeke forest can be explored by canoe following the four main rivers.
Rare animals:
Mammals which are rare for Gabon as a whole, such as the bongo, the largest forest antelope, and the giant forest hog, the biggest species of pig, are concentrated in the Minkebe region.
International status:
The Minkebe National Park, created in the year 2000 as a fauna reserve, is acknowledged as a Critical Site for conservation by IUCN and has been proposed as a World Heritage Site.
Tourist facilities:
The WWF initiated a management programme in 1997. Two provincial bases were created, one at Oyem, the other at Makokou. A central camp was established at the mouth of the river Nouna to manage the protected area, with satellite camps on the Oua river and in the Bordamur and SHM forestry concessions. Makokou and Oyem have hotels and regular plane flights from Libreville.

The renowned range of mountains, situated between Equatorial Guinea and the Ogooué river, just two or three hours drive from Libreville.
A botanical paradise:
The area contains an astonishing variety of trees, of begonias and orchids, and other plants. Many specialists think that this forest block is the richest in all Africa in terms of number of different plant species.
Rugged mountain scenery:
The Crystal mountains- marked topography, magnificent scenery- where mountains and rock rub shoulders with mists and clouds.
In the clouds:
At the highest altitudes, we enter another world- an enchanted forest shrouded in clouds where mosses envelop the trees and lichens hang from their branches.
Visits to the dams:
The electricity company, the SEEG, could arrange visits to the two hydroelectric stations. SEEG staff would act as guides for visitors.
A strategic forest for the economy:
The rains falling on the Mbe river catchment upstream from Kinguele pass through the reservoirs of Kinguele and Tchimbele and turn the turbines that generate electricity: energy that feeds into Libreville- and the Gabonese economy. The Mbe river basin with its forests is therefore a key resource; the forest protects the soils against erosion, and consequently the reservoirs against accumulation of sediment.
International status:
The area is a IUCN Critical Site for conservation
Boundaries:
The boundaries of the National Park are shown on the map.
Tourist facilities:
TheTchimbele hydroelectric station is now remote controlled, so many houses are no longer used by the SEEG. These could be renovated and used to accommodate tourists, as well as visiting students from secondary schools, the forestry school and universities. Botanical trails could be created. A botanical garden has already been started.

In southwestern Gabon, covering the Doudou Mountains, the Moukalaba savannas and the vast Nyanga papyrus swamps.
Diverse landscapes:
Little known and rarely visited up to now, the site offers a rich variety of natural scenery- different types of forest, the savannas of the Nyanga plains, the Doudou Mountains, the immense papyrus marshes close to the mouth of the river Nyanga and the Raphia marshes of the Rembo Ndogo.
Larger mammals:
These include special species such as the waterbuck, a savanna antelope.
Hundreds of elephants congregate in the papyrus marshes during the dry season.
Apes:
The Doudou Mountains could become an important site for observing gorillas and chimpanzees.
Ape densities are very high.
International status:
The National Park is acknowledged by IUCN as a Critical Site for conservation.
Tourist facilities:
WWF started up a management programme in 1996. Moukalaba can be reached using the Tchibanga-Doussala road. The Doudou Mountains have previously been logged- leaving a network of old forestry roads.
The existing Moukalaba Wildlife Department warden post could develop into an important base for the protection of the Park.

Situated to the east of Makokou between the Lodié and Louayé rivers, extending to the Congo border.
Observing animals in the bai:
The Mwagne Bai, which may well be the biggest bai (waterhole clearing) in Gabon, is associated with other small bais. Rare or little known species such as the bongo antelope, sitatunga and otters are found there.
Towards the east we find Marantaceae forest- the leaves of which are used for wrapping sticks of manioc.
Elephants:
The site has exceptionally large numbers of elephants.
River expeditions:
We can explore the lush landscapes and observe the diverse fauna- including parrots and otters- by boat following the Liboumba et Lodié rivers.
International status:
Mwagne National Park forms part of the transboundary area identified as a priority by WWF and ECOFAC.
Tourist facilities:
It will be necessary to clear the rivers, especially the upper Lodié, and open a path from the river to Mwagne Bai. A tourist camp and observation platforms will be built. The smaller bais will be prospected and the most promising ones developed for tourism.

In the southern uninhabited part of the Bateke Plateaux savannas.
Gorilla vision:
A programme of reintroduction of gorilla orphans into the forest is underway, run by the Howletts Foundation. This will lead to the organization of gorillawatching for tourists
Fantastic landscape:
The savanna-clothed hills spread down to the ribbons of forest fanning out from the upper Mpassa river. This river, with its idyllic clear turquoise waters, has cut out wild and magnificent canyons, waiting to be explored.
Birds:
The exceptional diversity includes many birds which are absent elsewhere in Gabon. Thousands of storks stop here during their annual migration.
Animal life:
We find Gabon’s well known mammals- elephant, buffalo, red-river hogs and the like- in the ribbons of forest. Species typical of the Plateaux include the ‘Ntsa’(Grimm’s duiker) and possibly the last few lions remaining in Gabon. This area is the last refuge for the larger mammals of the Bateke Plateaux.
International status:
The area has been identified by IUCN as a Critical Site for conservation.
Tourist facilities:
The Howletts Foundation plans building a lodge and an airstrip to cater for tourists.

The southern fringe of the Komo Estuary across from Libreville, and the Atlantic seafront.
In all Gabon, this is the beach resort and site for weekend relaxation that attracts the greatest number of visitors.
Sprawling mangroves:
The mangroves of the southern Komo Estuary shore are one of the largest expanses of mangrove in the country.
Diverse scenery:
A tapestry of coastal landscapes includes mangrove, flooded and terra firma forest, savanna and beach.
Large animals:
Nowhere else in the world can you find elephants closer to a capital city.
International status:
Recognised by IUCN as a Critical Site for conservation.
Pongara also qualifies for Ramsar status.
Tourist facilities:
This is Libreville’s leisure resort. The old village of Pointe-Denis has turned into a complex of hotels and second homes.
Well-equipped tourist lodges have been created nearby on the coast, at Ekwata and Nyonié.
There are regular ferries from Libreville to Pointe-Denis.

The most rugged terrain of the Chaillu Massif- between Fougamou and the Lopé. At the heart of Mitsogho country, cradle of a uniquely Gabonese culture.
Wild rugged mountains:
The mountains of the Chaillu Massif- tough, steeply-valleyed and of a savage beauty- seem today to be at the heart of untamed nature. However, a second look shows that it has not always been so.
Cradle of an exclusively Gabonese culture:
Aging oil palms and atanga (African plum) trees bear witness to ancient villages perched in unexpected places. History tells us about the resistance against Bakele and French incursions into Mitsogho country, the warrior Mbombe, and the Bwiti religion- today more widespread- but which had its origins, it seems, in the Chaillu Massif. What civilization existed here in days gone by?
Ikoy rift valley:
A remarkable feature of the site is the Ikobé-Ikoy-Onoy rift valley, deeply incised into the landscape. It follows a line of geological faults over 100 kilometres long with crystal-clear, pebble-bedded rivers funneling through it..
This rift is one of Gabon’s largest landscape features- it is readily visible from space.
International status:
Waka is part of the Chaillu Massif mountain range generally considered as a conservation priority.
Tourist facilities:
At present the site itself is not easily accessible and there are no hotels close by.
Nearby the network of roads and villages linked to the Sindara ferry, could be interesting from a cultural point of view.

Presidential reserve
In the coastal savannas between Libreville and Port-Gentil
Tourist attractions
-Magnificent scenery
With their natural amphitheatres – or cirques – rare in Central Africa, the Wonga-Wonguélandscapes are magnificent
-Larger mammals
The largest populations of elephant and buffalo in the vicinity of Libreville can be seen here
-Vestiges of the past
The villages of the coast bear witness to the nineteenth century history of the Gabonese peoples
Status
Created as a fauna reserve, then given the status of National Park, it became a Presidential Reserve in 1972. Wonga-Wongué could either preserve its present status or become, wholly or in part, a National Park
Boundaries
The boundaries will depend on the status chosen
Tourist facilities
Tourism in the past at Wonga-Wongué lead to the creation of sophisticated tourist facilities. At present these are partly abandoned but could be easily recovered. A significant network covers the site.

Proposed as a Biosphere Reserve
The wetlands between Lambarene and Port-Gentil, The Ogooué delta is the second largest freshwater delta of the African Continent.
Tourist attractions
- Diverse landscapes
A patchwork of different types of wetlands including extensive mangrove flats, different types of marsh forest, huge expanses of papyrus, reedbeds and floating grasses makes for fascinating and varied scenery
- Aquatic fauna
Hippopotamus, manatee, crocodiles and waterbirds live together with turtles, situtunga and an impressive variety of fish life
- Sport fishing
To the south of Port-Gentil in the Ogooué delta, the camps at Ozouri are renowned for tarpon fishing
- Exploration
The first Europeans to enter Gabon’s interior followed the Ogooué and its associated waterways and lakes is still a remarkable experience
Status
Proposed as a Biosphere reserve (UNESCO) the Ogooué Delta meets the criteria for Ramsar site
Boundaries
The boundaries correspond to those of the wetlands and are shown only approximately on the map
Tourist facilities
The site has not yet been studied by the DFC – WWF – WCS field teams. This is planned for a second phase of surveys
Ozouri island, in the Ogoouédelta, was visited by the IUCN team in 1988 and was shown to be rich in different vegetation types and habitats
The Albert Schweitzer museum and lakes around Lambarene represent one of Gabon’s best known tourist attractions.

Proposed as a biodiversity sanctuary
For a long time it was thought that Mont Iboundji was Gabon’s highest summit. To the south of the Lopé Park, it is easily accessible by road and close to Iboundji town
Tourist attractions
-Two-storey forest
Mont Iboundji has a mesa-like form – an elevated plateau bounded by steep slopes, overlooking a forest landscape 400 metres lower down
-Spectacular waterfalls
The waterfalls on the steep slopes of Mont Iboundji are a special attraction for natural walks
-Animal life
Mammals such as chimps and elephants can be observed in the surrounding forest
New species of reptile have been discovered on the slopes of Mont Iboundji
-Vegetation changes
The high plateau of Mont Iboundji is natural forest prone to wind damage, while the surrounding landscape includes the different stages of secondary forests which follow traditional agriculture
Status
The status of Sanctuary has been proposed
Boundaries
The proposed boundaries were drawn up in agreement with the Rougier forestry company
Tourist facilities
A footpath could be opened up to allow nature lovers to visit the waterfalls, the high plateau, and discover the botanical treasures.

www.globalforestswatch.org/french/gabon/index.htm