The Loango National Park is the jewel in Gabon’s crown and encompasses over 230,000 hectares of wilderness. It was created in 2002 when Iguela Reserve (with its lagoon, forests and savannah) and Petit Loango Reserve (with its swamps and wild coastline) were combined.
The park is home to a fascinating array of wildlife. At all times of year you can see forest elephant, forest buffalo, red river hogs, hippo and - if you are lucky - lowland gorilla and chimpanzees. As the majority of the animals are shy and live in dense rainforest, game viewing is not about ticking off large numbers. Rather it is about seeing unique species in unusual settings. Game drives take you through the savannah where herds of buffalo graze, and kayak trips are ideal for birdwatching. Walks explore the dripping forests and wild beaches where you may encounter elephant and buffalo making their way to salt licks. Offshore, whales and dolphins can be found from mid-July to mid-September and turtles nest on the beaches from October to January.
As Loango is a large park with contrasting environments we recommend you stay for about a week in a number of different camps. Forest camps allow you to track elephant and perhaps search for the elusive lowland gorillas. Beach camps are ideal for whale watching whilst plains camps offer boating and walking opportunities.