Embassy of Gabon in South Africa - Tourism and Leisure in Gabon

Tourism is still in its infancy and the restrictions caused by the lack of infrastructure are the very reason for the lack of environmental damage. Visitors should not always expect the same level of service as in countries where tourism is well-developed. Modern facilities are often not available, so having an adventurous spirit, keeping an open mind, and being willing to exercise understanding and patience will assure you of a wonderful experience during your visit. Most hotels and lodges provide comfortable accommodation and good food, although outside of Libreville tourist infrastructures are modest and unsophisticated. Gabon is a peaceful land and one of the safest and least problematic of all Central and Western African countries, thereby providing save traveling opportunities. Local tour operators can arrange visits to all the major places of interest.

In the heart of Africa, crossed by the Equator, Gabon is the perfect link between equatorial jungle and the Atlantic Ocean. Waters full of fish, deserted beaches, and cool winds softening the hot savannah and Jungle. The primary humid and luxurious jungle accounts for 75% of a wide green land inhabited by elephants, buffalos, monkeys, gorillas and antelopes. The Ogooué river, its immense hydrographic network, turbulent waters running from East to West sustaining the country’s human as well as economic activity.

You can go into the equatorial jungle in search for the mysterious Pygmies and the famous gorillas. You can also enjoy sailing in a dugout along the Ogooué river and its tributaries full of mangroves, small islands, lakes, waterfalls and canyons. But if you prefer game fishing, swordfish, tuna fish, tarpons and bonitos can all be found in deep waters.
Excellent spots for surfing and water sports such as waterfalls and rapids offer you unforgettable moments.

Of Bantu Origin, the 1,014,976 Gabonese belong to 50 ethnic groups, including a group of Pygmies who are traditionally nomads.
Gabon’s multiple ethnic groups explain the huge diversity of cultures reflected in masks, sculpture, traditional dances and recreational as well as initiatory ceremonies.
You can enjoy traveling and exploring by riding on the Transgabonese along 700km of railway routes, crossing the country from west to south-east.

Environment:
La Lopé is a particular place which is of a rarebeauty; this fauna and flora reserve is situated in the middle of a large forest clump just underneath the Equator. You can find out the forest growing and the ‘vestiges’of worked-stones. This is like flashing back 18 000 years ago.
Housing:
At the bottom of the ‘Mont Brazza’ nearby the Ogooué river, La Lopé hotel offers 16 comfortable air-conditioned bungalows; you can also go to the Mikongo forestry site you want to observe gorillas.
Accessibility:
You go from Libreville to Ndjolé on a tar worked road before taking the non tarred one, up to La Lopé which is hard to practice during the rainy season; about 7 hours driving- by train you can also go with the ‘Ntsa Express’ every Tuesday and Friday.
Leisure:
By car, guided through the savannah you can see wild animals like yellow zebra buffles, elephants…
and you can be witness of the evolution of Mother Nature from the original forest to savannah. Ornithology specialists ans amateurs will be able to see 350 bird species.
Still guided but that time on the Ogooué river, you can admire rock paintings which confirm that steel workers of that region have a very rich heritage of the past.
Finally, you will meet with the silver-back gorilla from the savannah (south-east of La Lopé), the most impressive one in the world.

Environment:
After crossing an incredible dense forest you arrive in Franceville for a change of scene. You are in the South-East of Gabon at 780 km from Libreville, the capital city. Franceville matches so good the forest and the savannah that you cannot get bored. The two closest cities are Mounana and Bakoumba.
Housing:
The Intercontinental Léconi Palace in Franceville is a 100 air-conditioned bedrooms hotel with a restaurant, a swimming pool, tennis facilities.
The Auberge du Lac is a 13 air-conditioned bedrooms hotel in Mounana, with 2 restaurants.
For sure, you will enjoy a rest in those places.
Leisure:
The “Léconi canyon”, the “Djoumou falls” are recommended to visit when driving out of Franceville; we advise you stop at the ‘Auberge du Lac” in Mounana to hear the sound of silence.
Accessibility:
By train – Ntsa Express – every day of the week
By plane – Air Gabon – from Libreville on a return flight Tuesday and Friday.

Environment:
Located at 621 km of Libreville, Kilamoutou is the capital of the Ogooué Lolo Province, with a refreshing mixture of forest and savannah, nice modern houses and the perfume of both peace and quiet.
Housing:
“Bishi”Résidence Hôtelière is situated on the Bishi island: double bedrooms, duplex flats carefully decorated with TV and bar, 2 swimming pools and a local and international food. From that Résidence, the view is panoramic.
At the entrance , you will take an alley with hundred years old mango trees but before you would have crossed a liana bridge.
Leisure:
The catholic mission of Notre Dame de Salette – beginning of the 20th century.
The Iboundji Mount is close to Koulamoutou (KM) with 980 meters height.
At 40 km from KM are the “Mboungou falls” on the Bouenguidi river on the Popa road.
Accessibility:
By car, it will take you almost 8 hours (private or hired cars); for more information please do not hesitate and contact Gabontour.
By plane, Air Gabon – Wednesday-Friday
By train, the Transgabonais goes to Lastourville station every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
At 55 km from KM, you can go for a walk on the Ignonga Mount which is 900 meters height. You can also go fishing on the Lolo river.

Housing:
You will rest at Gamba Vacances in air-conditioned rather comfortable studios. The restaurant is French specialities.
Leisure:
You can go for a dugout ballad to see hippopotamus, birds, to stop and o into the forest to see monkeys, elephants…to communicate directly with Mother Nature.
The “farniente” on the most beautiful beaches of the country is something emotional; with a 4X4 you can go to the “petit Loango” reserve, to Sounga, Nioungou and Akaka villages. Fishermen can enjoy whatever they feel.

Environment:
It is situated at 50 km on the south of Gamba, at the mouth of the Ngodo lagoon. Its geographical location makes it one of the most important place for fishing in Africa.
There are many islands to go to; like everywhere in the country, you will have the forest to discover and its wild animals.
Housing:
Huts with no air conditioning –quite comfortable
A full board is available
Leisure:
For fishing-addicted people, the Sette Cama Camp is worldwide known for the fishing “tarpon” from November to March. The Nyanga river is very fishy and you can get “barracuda” , “red fish”, “carangue”, “captain”, etc. On the islands you can also see hippopotamus. In the Loango reserve, you can find elephants buffalos, monkeys and noble trees.
Accessibility:
By plane- Gabon Express from Libreville- Return flight- Saturday morning to Wednesday morning.

Environment:
Situated on the coast between Libreville and Port-Gentil, EKWATA VILLAGE is ideal for enjoying the sea and the sun. Over the sea is the equatorial forest giving a green and blue colors’landscape.
Leisure:
Volley-ball, sailing boats, body board, archery, angling and other water sports.
You can also benefit from a guided visit into the forest.
Housing:
10 comfy air-conditioned bungalows with private bathroom, and a terrace by the seaside; there is a nice room for meals.
Accessibility:
By boat: departure from the “Port Môle” to cross the “Estuary”; a trip on the Denis river followed by a 4X4 visit through the savannah and the forest.It is 1 hour driving from Libreville.

Environment:
Capital city of Gabon, Libreville is definitely a tourist place with its white sand beaches from the Cap Santa Clara to Owendo. You can practice nautic sports and ecotourism.
Housing:
The best hotels are the Méridien Re-Ndama and the Intercontinental/Okoumé Palace for what comfort and food (local and international) are concerned.
Leisure:
The classified Mondah Forest, the Cap Esterias and Santa Clara beaches and ecotourism

Environment:
It is the unique place in Gabon where you can find the Mbigou stone. The city was built in 1904 and is known for its legends cultivated by the population; you will hear about the Mugumi mermaid who protected the city from the Blue Lake area.
You can go to:

The Bongolo Falls and Caves
The natural Igouassu pond
The sacred Mangondo Island
The Impératrice Falls
The Blue Lake, The Black Lakes
The Sindara church called “Notre Dame des Trois Epis” founded on February, 27th , 1899
The hundred year church, blessed on August, 15th, 1898

Housing:
The Blue Lake or Lac Bleu hotel by the lake itself: nice bedrooms with TV, bars, local and international food, swimming pool, etc. You may meet the Mugumi mermaid.
Leisure:
Walks and excursions throughout the region and towards the St Martin of the Apindji mission founded in 1900.

Environment:
Capital city of the Woleu Ntem region, Oyem is 411 km driving from Libreville.
The city resisted to the German invasion (World War II) which it did not during World War I. Oyem is said to be the name of a tree you only find in that region. It is a rich ecotourist place.
The Minkebe Forest is managed by the WWF; it is protected as per violent fights that occurred between the two ethnic groups; Essamessele and Essansia. You can fish, hunt and explore gold (craftsman’s trade).
The Nkoum and Salem Mounts have got a big cross on their top
The Mekok me kwa Caves show you how protected is Mother Nature.
Housing:
Downtown, you have the Mvett palace with its locally-styled constructions (nature); bedrooms and suites are well-equipped; there is a restaurant with both local and international food, a swimming pool, and many other activities will be offered.
Leisure:
Walks to the Minkébé Forest with its fauna and flora by the two streams that cross the region, the Ntem and the Woleu.

Environment:
Provincial capital of the Ogooué Ivindo province, it is 577 km from Libreville (driving); it is famous for its Lopé reserve; it is also close to the Bélinga Mount (one of the highest one in Gabon) that Europeans often climb at for records.
Housing:
Inaugurated on August, 17th, 2002, the Bélinga hotel is one of the best place in the city; it is locally decorated with Gabonese colors. Food is local and international.
Leisure:
After the city itself and the La Lopé reserve, you can visit the Cessamongo and Bélinga caves. Do not forget to go to the Ivindo Falls that only local ethnic groups went through: Okandais, Adouma, Makina, Oschieba…

Environment:
The city is part of the Nyanga region; it is a quiet place which was, in the past very trade orientated with the Portuguese arrival. It has been chosen last August, for the start of what we call ‘Independence day party” in two cities a year, on August, 17th.
Housing:
There are not many hotels but we advise you go to the Nyanga motel.
Leisure:
In September, be aware that you can hear whales singing and acting.
Mayumba, a small town by the Atlantic Ocean has to be visited.

Environment:
This is the ‘oil city’; the oil activity started in Port-Gentil at the beginning of the 20th century. Timber was also traded; it is the international businessmen favourite place. Capital city of the Ogooué Maritime region, it is 20 minutes flying from Libreville; you can see images of the past thanks to what catholics and protestants missionaries left. It is the lagoon region with the famous Wonga Wongué reserve.
Housing:
The Méridien Mandji hotel will welcome you with its luxuriant and tropical vegetation, its suites and bedrooms by the seaside.
Seafood is excellent.
Leisure:
Tours are available to discover the beautiful beaches of the Fernan Vaz area. You can go sailing, surfing and jet skiing but you can also relax by the sea. Tarpon fishing is the ‘must’.

Gabontour

Address:: PO Box 2085
Libraville
Telephone: Tel: (241) 72.85.04
Fax: (241) 72.85.03
Internet: gabontour@internetgabon.com
www.internetgabon.com

www.internetgabon.com/tourisme/ (Gabontour)
www.tourisme-gabon.com (Equasud)
www.actionweb-gabon.com
www.sodepal.com
www.ambassade-gabon-rome.org
www.schweitzer.org
www.ecofac.org
www.les-pantheres.com