Travel in Gabon – Hotels, Gabon Vacations, Lodging, Trips, Attractions and Travel Guide

Gabon: Traveling in National Parks

The country of Gabon located in central west Africa. Gabon shares its borders with Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Republic of the Congo and the Gulf of Guinea. The country is on the equator and has an equatorial climate. The coastal plains, mountains, and the savannah are the three distinct regions of Gabon. Gabon is noted for its effort in preserving the natural beauty of the country.

Loango National Park is in western Gabon and is considered to be the “Africa's Last Eden”. The park consists of savannah, mangroves and forest, and white sand beaches. The park has many breathtaking views and unique opportunities to see elephants, hippos, leopards, gorillas, and buffalo roaming on the white sand beaches. Loango National Parks has one of the highest concentration of dolphins and whales off the coast, next to South Africa. Many of the animals are only seen in certain regions of the park, with the exception of elephants and buffalo that wander all over the reserve. Since the park is void of people and villages, the habitat has been well preserved. Loango National Park is the jewel of Gabon.

Lope National Park sits in the center of Gabon. Lope National Park was the first park in Gabon and was founded in 1946. The park contains the last grass savannahs in Central Africa. The Lope area has been inhabited by man for the last 400,000 years. Artifacts of a hunter-gather people have been found here. The concentration of relics here makes the settlements the oldest in all of west central Africa. The Ogooue River flows through the northern end of the park and has been a major trade route in Gabon for centuries. Lope National Park is home to over 380 species of birds and is a bird watching paradise. Some of the birds found in the park are the rosy bee-eater, chocolate backed kingfisher, emerald cuckoo, great blue turaco, and the crowned hawk eagle. The park is also home to 63 species of mammals. Forest elephants, lowland gorillas, chimpanzees and leopards are some of the animals that make there home in the lush rainforest of the park. Lope National Park provides some of the most pristine habitat for wildlife in all of Gabon.

The Crystal Mountain National Park has some of the most diverse plant life in Gabon. The park is now considered a biodiversity hotspot in the world. Ongoing studies are being conducted in the park and makes this a great place for plant lovers to explore. The Missouri Botanical Garden in the U.S. has been conducting plant research in the park since 2004. The plant life makes the species of reptiles found in the mountains range from snakes to small lizards. There are 43 species of reptile found in the park. The Crystal Mountain National Park makes a great sightseeing trip for herpetologists too. Some of the more interesting species found among the foliage are forest geckos and aquatic snakes in the small streams. Crystal Mountain National Park has something for everyone to discover and enjoy.

The cuisine of Gabon is mainly made of heavily starched items and light on meat. Not only is the cuisine high in starch, but is high in natural fats. Root vegetables play an important role in the cuisine here. Some of the most common being cassava, yams, sweet potatoes, and cocoyams. Fufu is made from starchy vegetables and is commonly served with soups and stews. Chilies and peppers play an important role in cooking when cooking many of the dishes found in Gabon. The dishes are heavily spiced laden and vary in heat. The food in Gabon is a treat for any serious gastronome.

Located in the city of Libreville, the InterContinental Libreville is a five star hotel. The hotel is the only luxury hotel in Libreville. Guests will love the balconies over looking the Atlantic Ocean. The InterContinental makes a wonderful place to stay when exploring the countryside of Gabon. The Le Meridien Mandji is located on the beautiful city of Port Gentil. The four star hotel is surrounded by swaying palm trees and gentle breezes. The luxurious gardens and ocean provide a tranquil atmosphere for guests. The hotel is filled with a warmth of local flavors and architecture. The Le Meridien Mandji is the best of what Port Gentil has to offer.

Gabon is one of those places that visitors can not get enough of. The eco-tourism in the country is the best on the planet. Visitors to Gabon fall in love with its natural wonders and welcoming people. Gabon is the premiere place to see wildlife in its natural state.