This Gabon safari combines history… visiting Lambarené colonial town and its World-famous Schweitzer Hospital, with nature… with Loango, Ogooue river, Fernan Vaz lagoon and the forest zone on the way to Crystal Mountains and anthropology…the unique Bwiti rituals practiced by Bantus Mitshogos and Babongo Pygmies in the forest.
- Bwiti rituals
- Lambarené
- Loango National park
- Duration: 11 days / 10 nights
Highlights of the Gabon safari
- Bwiti tribal rituals in the forest – their culture is embedded in the surrounding ecosystem. They’re keepers of one of Africa’s best kept secrets, the Iboga bark. This bark has hallucinogenic properties and complex rituals are celebrated to honour its powers and to bring human beings to the spirit world.
- Bantu villages of Gabon’s forests – with Bantus Mitshogos and Babongo Pygmies
- Ogooué River – visit Evengué Island gorilla sanctuary Island’s orphan gorillas sanctuary. The trip lasts around 8h and it is just amazing. You’ll get a real feeling of how the first explorers felt navigating along the Africa tropical rivers
- Lambarené colonial town and Schweitzer Hospital – established in 1913 by German Doctor Albert Schweitzer. Its Medical Research Unit is one of the leading scientific institutions in Africa working to end the scourge of malaria. It’s also a highly-regarded training site for African physicians and scientists
- Loango National Park and fauna on the beach – the eco-system at Loango is one of the richest and most complex in Central Africa. Discover mangroves, beaches with coconut trees, river forest, Congolese forest and inland forest with huge trees, and even tropical meadows… A true mosaic of landscapes with breathtaking vegetation and wildlife
- we’ll follow the Park guides to explore the areas they consider best at the point of our trip. Spot forest elephant, red forest buffalo, red river hogs with furry ears, hippos, etc. Inside the park’s lagoons it is possible to see the slender snouted crocodiles, sitatunga, duikers, a variety of monkeys, a huge array of birds, western lowland gorillas and chimpanzees. With a pirogue in the Akaka river we will travel to the heart of Loango, deep inside the forest.
- mid-July to mid-September, humpback whales can be spotted in the Atlantic waters in front of Loango national Park.
Best time to visit Gabon…
Set departure dates – more on our small group tours and safaris
- 19th – 27th August 2017
- 8th – 18th December 2017
Extreme adventure in Gabon
Gabon is unique for its African Animistic cult known as Bwiti
A natural paradise... discover Bwiti tribal rituals, the Bantu villages of Gabon's forests and colonial Lambarené with the world famous Schweitzer Hospital.
Gabon's ‘jewel in the crown’ is Loango National Park - an area almost uninhabited by humans where wild animals live protected by the many rivers and lagoons surrounding this natural part of Central Africa.
Diverse Loango is one of the richest and most diverse of Africa's National Parks - home to mangroves, beaches, coconut trees and river forest.
ItineraryFrom $4270
Arrival in Libreville where you'll be met at the airport by your guide.Transfer to the hotel.
Days 2/3 - Libreville – Mitshogo Village Breakfast, city tour of Gabon's capital and markets and historic buildings. Drive to the Gabonese forested interior to a village of Bantus Mitshogos and Babongo Pygmies and the Bwiti.
Day 4 - Mitshogo Village - Lambarene Breakfast. Visit colonial town of Lambarené, river island town famous for its many natural lakes, endemic bird/fish species, Albert Schweitzer Hospital and Museum-Leading scientific Inst.
Day 5 - Lambarene – Lakes – Ogooue River – Omboue – Loango Breakfast, boat excursion around the tropical lakes-birder's paradise. motor boat to Omboué town along the Ogooué River to Evengue Island orphan gorillas sanctuary. On to the beach area-Loango NP
Day 6 - Loango National Park Breakfast. Explore the Park by pirogue and foot. Mangroves, beaches with coconut trees (loved by elephants), river forest, Congolese forest and inland forest with huge trees, tropical meadow
Days 7 - Loango National Park Wildlife is incredible...spot big mammals: forest elephant, red forest buffalo, red river hogs, hippos. Inside the park’s lagoons observe slender snouted crocodiles, sitatunga, duikers and monkeys
Day 8 - Loango National Park With a pirogue in the Akaka river we will travel to the heart of Loango, deep inside the forest. Humpback whales can be spotted in the Atlantic waters in front of Loango national Park. July-September
Day 9 - Loango National Park – Omboue - Departure After breakfast explore the wild beaches of the area. Lunch and departure to Omboue, stay at Hotel Olako or the local Guesthouse, situated in front of the Fernan Vaz lagoon. Evening flight home.
Tips and notes
The price includes:
- Transport during the whole trip
- Petrol, drivers and local guides
- English speaking guide
- BB. Accommodation in hotels and tents.
- Daily excursions, visits and entries to Loango National Park
excludes:
- International flight and taxes
- Meals that are not specified on the program, drinks and mineral water
- Tourist visas
- Travel insurance and cancellation
Please note:
- Travel with a small “soft” suitcase or backpack
- Compulsory vaccinations: Yellow fever
- Trip expenses: traveler must change into local coin in the capital around 200-300 € for drinks/additional meals/craftwork
- Electricity and how to charge cameras: There are sockets in the hotels and in some isolated places there is a generator and batteries can be charged. But is highly recommended to bring extra batteries and/or a battery charger.
- We recommend bringing a shower cap, flip flops for the bathroom, light sleeping bag, torch, sun cream.
How to get there
Fly to Libreville to Discover Gabon. Please ask your Zambezi consultant if you would like us to arrange your flights.
Let the Zambezi team help you
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