Experience the classic Gabon jungle safari
Gabon is one of Africa’s least populated countries which has allowed vast tracts of pristine tropical rain forest to remain intact and host to an extraordinary array of different creatures and plants. Not only has it got incredible forest reserves but the coastlines are also a haven and one of the largest nesting areas in the world for species of turtle like the massive Leatherback and many more. At this time the easiest areas to visit are the Loango and Pongara National Parks but there is work being done in getting Lope National Park the home of the incredible Mandrills added into the loop efficiently. Loango is where you can enjoy not only your big primates like Western Lowland Gorillas but also Forest Elephants, Forest Buffalo and Red River Hog
Get a taste of it all
A safari here would always start from the Capital Libreville, as African cities go it is not very big, tidy and seems quite orderly and well connected with various airlines. From here you can go by boat across the lagoon to Pongara National Park where you can at the right time of year enjoy either the turtle nesting period or when the little guys come scurrying out to reach the waves and the World beyond 3 months later. This park is then best combined with Loango National Park where you have 3 great camps offering different levels of experience in different localities in this incredible forest which is home to both Western Lowland Gorillas and Chimpanzees plus a host of other smaller primates and even Manatees in the lagoons. Apart from the long list of bird species here which will keep any birder well entertained you will find a wonderful menu of creatures both little and large to be enthralled by in these forests and coastal lagoons. A highlight of course is catching a herd of elephants wandering along the beach at sunset. If you would like to add in some of the inland parks like Lope and Ivindo National Parks let us know and we can work it all out for you.
What you need
to know
Things that are worth knowing about when traveling to Gabon
Lope National Park
This park in central Gabon is one of the most important protected areas for primates in Central Africa. One of the key species here are the beautiful and rare Mandrills of which they believe there are about 1400 left in the wild here, best time to see them is between July and September when it is a bit drier and their incredible colours are enhanced over this breeding period. Added to this are Western Lowland Gorillas, Sun-Tailed Guenon, Black Colobus, Chimpanzees plus some meaningful numbers of Forest Elephants. This park has a mixed mosaic of tropical forest and more open savannah’s which helps to add to incredible diversity of this important park which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a result of the ancient human settlements that have been found here dating back thousands of years.
Ivindo National Park
Deep inside the central areas of Gabon sits this wonderful National Park which combines wonderful waterways and waterfalls with incredible and probably some of the most pristine forest that you can visit in Africa. It also has a huge Bai – a forest clearing that is rich in minerals making it a great place to sit and watch some of the forest residents come out to get these minerals. In Ivindo it is all wild game viewing either from the water or on foot but sitting at the platform on the edge of the Bai to see Forest Elephants and Buffalo, plus Western Lowland Gorillas, Chimpanzees and many more smaller primates birds and antelope species who are all in these areas is fantastic, this is real life theatre happening right in front of you. It is also possible to visit some of the old communities of people that still call this home with their traditional lifestyles and skills.
Libreville Museum Of Art and Traditions
If you are spending anytime of Libreville either between parks or at the start of your safari it is a great idea to get a taxi down to this great little museum in the city centre which showcases very well some of the ancient traditions and arts of Gabon, which includes an amazing collection of tribal masks. Well worth allocating a few hours to this great gem in Libreville
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GeneralWhat do I pack for a safari in Zimbabwe? Please remember that there may be luggage weight or size restrictions on your Zimbabwe safari. Before you travel, we shall advise you on what would be suitable for your specific safari as sometimes you may need a wide range of clothing to cater for the different conditions of your safari. If bush walks are a part of your safari, we advise to not wear white or black coloured clothes. What Stone Ruins are in Zimbabwe? The name Zimbabwe translates as “House of stone”. Between the 11th to 15th Century these stone edifices were constructed around the country and were important centres of trade and government. The main ones being Great Zimbabwe, Khami Ruins and Dhlodhlo Ruins, there are many other smaller ones scattered around. Can I walk by myself in the National Parks? No, you cannot, this is only available in designated areas within Mana Pools National Park after paying for a special permit and signing a disclaimer. We do not recommend doing this, you will have a much better experience being accompanied by a trained professional safari guide familiar with the area. Licensed professional guides working for a registered operator are allowed to take you for walks anywhere within the National Parks. What currency is used in Zimbabwe? The currency in Zimbabwe is the Zimbabwean Dollar. In tourist areas most transactions are quoted and done in US Dollars with South African Rand also possible. What time zone is Zimbabwe in? Zimbabwe shares the same time zone as the rest of Southern Africa, which is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time – (GMT) + 2 hours, in the Central Africa Time Zone (CAT) Can I use my credit cards in Zimbabwe? Yes, but only really in the main cities or tourist areas like Victoria Falls with Visa and Mastercard the most widely accepted. To buy curios or paying for camp extras like National Parks Fees it is better to have actual cash. What power sockets are used in Zimbabwe? In the cities and safari camps Zimbabwe uses 220V power points in the camps mostly using Type G plugs. If you have an item that runs on 110V, please bring a converter. It is also advisable to bring additional universal travel adaptors and extra batteries.
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VisasDo I need a visa to travel to Zimbabwe? Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at the port of entry or apply for an e-visa before arrival. However, some nationalities may have to apply in advance through an embassy.Please check with your Travel Designer to find out if you require a visa to enter Zimbabwe.
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MedicalWhat Vaccinations do I need for travelling to Zimbabwe? At this time there are no vaccination requirements for tourists visiting Zimbabwe – However if you are travelling to Zimbabwe from areas infected with yellow fever, you must have a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. We will advise the latest regulations before travelling. If you are unsure about what is best for you, please consult your medical practitioner for professional advice on what other vaccinations may be suitable for you. Medical Evacuations? Air medical evacuations are available in Zimbabwe, but it is important that you have medical insurance with this type of remote evacuation cover and declare the details to your travel designer prior to travel. Do I need to take malaria medication when visiting Zimbabwe? Zimbabwe is in a malarial zone so please consult with your medical practitioner a few weeks before your departure on what the best prophylactic for you would be. Some courses of medication may need to be started in advance of your visit to Zimbabwe.