Meet the researchers that are involved in the numerous science projects that are conducted in the park, amongst others by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the Max Planck Institute and the Fernan-Vaz Gorilla Project. Their activities are partly funded by tourism revenues, thus by visiting the park, you are contributing to its sustainable development. This is a sample itinerary. Upon arrival, our specialized staff will sit down with you to compose the actual program, based on your personal interests, weather conditions and where the wildlife can be found. Your Itinerary: Day 1: Thursday. Arrival in Libreville, Gabon. Upon arrival at Libreville International Airport, our representative will meet you and bring you to your hotel. You can spend the evening as you like; there is no organized program. If you would like to go out for dinner, the "quartier Louis" is Libreville's most lively neighborhood with many restaurants. In addition, Tropicana (near the airport) is also a good spot for a nice dinner or a relaxing drink by the sea. Lodging: Hotel Le Méridien, Libreville. Day 2: Friday. Evengué Island and Fernan-Vaz Gorilla Sanctuary. In the morning, you will be picked up by a representative of Africa’s Eden and brought to the airport for the Africa’s Connection flight to Omboué. The exact time of departure will be communicated at arrival in Port Gentil. In Omboué, our Evengue Lodge staff will help with your luggage. In a 20-minute boat trip you will be taken to Evengué, a small island just outside Loango National Park where the Fernan-Vaz Gorilla Project is situated, which is sponsored by Africa’s Eden. During your stay on Evengué Island, our experts of the Fernan-Vaz Gorilla Project will share their knowledge with you on the bush meat crisis and other reasons why gorillas are a critically endangered species, and they will give you information about the Fernan-Vaz Gorilla Sanctuary and Rehabilitation and Reintroduction Program. Afterwards one of the guides will accompany you on a short bush walk leading to the gorilla family in the sanctuary. Lodging: Evengué Lodge. Day 3: Saturday. Boat trip on Mpivié River to Loango Lodge. After breakfast, you will start the boat trip up the dark waters of the Mpivié River to Loango Lodge. En route, there will be time to visit the small town of Ste. Anne, where Gustav Eiffel built an iron church in the late 1800s. After the visit to Ste. Anne, the trip will continue up the Mpivié River that from there runs through some very dense rain forest. This is a perfect opportunity to sit back and enjoy the breathtaking views. Monkeys, crocodiles and all kinds of birds (Hartlaub’s ducks, finfoots and fishing owls in particular) can be seen. After approximately 2 hours, the boat will be exchanged at the end of the river for a 4x4 jeep that will drive to the lodge within 45 minutes. Upon arrival at Loango Lodge you will be welcomed with refreshments and shown to your room. Depending on the time of arrival, it might still be possible to make a first visit to Loango National Park by boat or by 4x4. Lodging: Loango Lodge. Days 4-6: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday. Tassi/Akaka (depending on the season). Tassi region (wet season). After breakfast, one of our 4x4 jeeps will take you south-west to the Tassi/Louri area (approximative 1.5 hours). During this drive, animals such as elephants, red river hogs, buffaloes, birds and sitatunga (a swamp-dwelling antelope) can be seen. Tassi Camp is situated on the Savannah, surrounded by primary and secondary forest. Take the 4x4 and visit the research camp of the Max Planck Institute in Tassi Sud, 30 minutes from Tassi Camp. From here, the researchers go into the forest to carry out studies amongst the shy, elusive gorillas and chimpanzees. This also acclimatizes the animals gradually to the presence of humans in the vicinity. In the future, this habituation program will allow a controlled form of tourism to track and view the gorillas and chimpanzees, while at the same time allowing researchers to gather data on all aspects of their behavior and ecology. From Tassi you can easily go on excursions to Louri, where there is a good chance of seeing buffaloes and elephants on the beach: a truly remarkable sight and characteristic of Loango National Park. On very rare occasions, even hippos can be seen. Lodging: Tassi Savannah Camp. Akaka region (dry season). After an early breakfast, the boat departs for a 4-hour journey south to Akaka. After crossing some large lagoons, you will arrive at the Rembo Ngowe River, where you will spend the last 1.5 hours. During the trip you might encounter birds, elephants, buffaloes and sitatunga (swamp-dwelling antelopes), possibly even bathing in the river. Akaka is one of the most remote parts of Loango National Park. The Akaka forests thrive with butterflies and are home to a number of rare bird species. The bush camp is situated on the riverbank in the heart of the tropical rain forest and the wetlands. At times, the wildlife, especially elephants, passes right through the camp. Akaka is a good starting point for excursions like forest walks, or trips by kayak or motorboat along the Rembo Ngowe and Rembo Echira rivers. In the dry season, the concentrations of particularly forest buffalo and forest elephant that migrate into the area are easily seen. Smaller mammals like sitatunga, red river hogs, forest duikers, five species of monkey and great apes inhabit the area all year round. Lodging: Akaka Bush Camp. Day 7: Wednesday. Pte. Ste. Cathérine. This morning, you will have time to discover some other parts of Loango National Park, by car into the Savannah, on foot into the mangroves, or by "houseboat" along the shore. In the afternoon, a short boat tour over the lagoon takes you to the Pointe Sainte Cathérine Beach Camp. This basic camp is situated at a beautiful spot on the beach in the north of Loango National Park. Beach walks, collecting shells and fishing are amongst the possibilities. You can also simply relax here, with one of the most beautiful beaches on earth all to yourself. As the sun sets, dine in the restaurant, on the lounge deck, or enjoy a feet-in-the-sand beach barbecue affair. During the rainy season, from November to April, Pte. Ste. Cathérine sunsets are even better than usual. Lodging: Pte. Ste. Cathérine Beach Camp. Day 8: Thursday. Return to Loango Lodge. After returning from Tassi/Akaka around lunchtime, you can relax at Loango Lodge or discover some other parts of the park: by car into the Savannah, on foot into the mangroves, or by ‘houseboat’ along the shore. Lodging: Loango Lodge. Day 9: Friday. Flight to Libreville, Gabon. In the afternoon, the Africa’s Connection flight will fly to Libreville via Port Gentil, where you will arrive in time for your connecting international flight. Notes: Price Includes: 
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Also see tour packages in: Africa Gabon Nature & Wildlife Wildlife Viewing |
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