Gabon

Welcome to Gabon

Capital of Gabon: Libreville
Population of Gabon: 1.8 million - 45th in Africa
Size of Gabon: 267,668 km2 - 30th in Africa
Languages in Gabon: French, plus more than 40 African languages

Though tourism in Gabon remains a fledgling industry, the benefits of exploring this untempered place of wildlife-rich rainforests and ethnic diversity are numerous. A large percentage of the country remains protected as national parkland, allowing the dolphins playing in the Atlantic and the chimps and forest elephants to breathe a sigh of relief. The population includes around 40 different ethnicities, but the country has thankfully avoided the conflict and ethnic violence common among many of its neighbors.

Highlights

Visit Loango National Park for its mix of coast and rainforest: humpback whales and turtles can be seen in season; elephants and hippos patrol the beaches; gorillas and chimps are sometimes seen.
Lopé National Park has thousands of gorillas, with a research station, Mikongo, where you can stay. It is also famous for its huge troops of mandrills, with several hundred sometimes seen together, particularly in July and August.
Bais are forest clearings where wildlife congregate. One of the best known, especially for its gorilla sightings, is Langoue Bai in Ivindo National Park. The park also has the stunning Mingouli waterfalls.