Safaris

-         The Loango National park

-         Our different safaris in the Loango national park

-         Safari-trekking in the surrondings of Enamino

THE NATIONAL PARK OF LOANGO

The Loango National Park is considered by specialists as ONE OF THE RICHEST PARKS OF CENTRAL AFRICA, an authentic reservoir of biodiversity with various biotopes: coastal forest, savannah, marsh, mangrove, lagoon or sandy beach.

This Park covers 1550 km². 86 km strip of land, located between Ocean and lagoons:  in the North the Iguela Lagoon (or Ngove Lagoon), in the South the Sette Cama Lagoon (or Ndogo Lagoon), in the West, big swampy areas and in the East, the Atlantic Ocean. This Park is actually the reunion of two former reserves :  Iguela and Sette Cama.

The particularity of the Park is that it can only be crossed on foot, that is, to go from one park to the other.

It is famous for its DENSE POPULATION OF FOREST ELEPHANTS and the HIPPOPOTAMUS SURFING in the waves.

On these forest-lined beaches primates, forest buffaloes, red river hogs, sea-turtles and leopards come to meet at sunset, facing the outstanding spectacle of humpback whales jumping.

It's on the beach of “Petit-Loango” is where the biologist and adventurer Mike Fay arrived at the end of his famous “Mega-Transect” hike. During this 2000 mile long expedition across the Congo Basin jungle for 456 days, he was amazed by the still intact fauna and flora of Gabon, with landscapes unchanged since the dawn of humanity : ”THE LAST ECOLOGICAL SANCTUARY ON EARTH”.

In 2002, he persuaded the President of Gabon to create 13 new National Parks.

The most beautiful documentaries about Gabon and the Congo Basin were shot in the Loango National Park during seven months, by Nick Nickols (one of the best photographer of NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC) and his team.
“Nowhere else in the world could you see at the same time, elephants on the beach and the ballet of humpback whales in the Ocean.” (Source: National Geographic Magazine -September 2003 and October 2004).

OUR DIFFERENT SAFARIS IN THE LOANGO NATIONAL PARK

BOAT SAFARI AROUND THE PARK

For families...

We propose a boat tour of the lagoon along the side of the Park to observe animals.

Silent walking allows you to observe animals located near the bank

SAFARI BOAT SEQUENCE

• Full day tour
• Departure in the morning in a 4-wheel drive to the gate of the National Park of Loango (30mn)
• Boat tour around the Park
• Picnic included
• Return to the lodge at the end of the day
• Parent’s responsibility for under-age children
• Maximum of 8 persons

TREKKING IN THE PARK

- For an unforgettable approach to Nature...To taste the pleasure of genuine wildlife...

We propose several full-day treks of ten kilometres following elephants' paths.

At the end of the trek, we reach a beach of fine white sand where unique encounters with wild animals await the group

- For amateurs of extreme sensations...For a total immersion in a still intact environment...

We propose to trek and camp several days in the bush

SAFARI SEQUENCE

• Full-day tour
• Departure in the morning in a 4-wheel drive to the gate of the National Park of Loango (30 mn)
• Crossing the Iguela lagoon by boat to reach the Park (15 mn)
• Trekking in the National Park of Loango looking for animals
• Picnic included
• Return trip by night
• Maximum of 6 persons
• For seasoned walkers
• Not authorized for children younger than 12. Parent’s responsibility for under-age children

BOAT-SAFARI IN AKAKA

Wonderfull open tours all year round, but a safari in the dry season in Akaka is simply a must, from June to September

A PARADISE FOR ORNITHOLOGISTS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS

After crossing the Iguela Lagoon by boat, you enter the heart of Loango National Park and reach the network of rivers of Rembo Eshira and Rembo Ngové who feed this lagoon.

Swamp areas are transformed into green meadows during the dry season, Akaka then becomes a PRIVILEGED PLACE with an EXCEPTIONAL ABUNDANCE, where we find among others, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes and monkeys not yet frightened by humans.

Perhaps, a family of hippos will wait for you at the mouth of the rivers. Or else, up a thinning stream you may come across a shy manatee or a stealthy crocodile coming to drink or venturing across the river.

At this point, we leave the boat for a picnic followed by a one-hour trek in the forest to allow you to plunge into wild Africa’s mysterious noises. Taking a former wood-cutters’ trail, nowadays a passage used by numerous animals.

Always in great numbers, many bird species dart from everywhere : African darter, Hamerkop, Jacana, Heron, Egret, Kingfisher, Palm-nut vulture

SAFARI SEQUENCE

• Full-day tour
• Early departure and late return
• Ride in 4-wheel drive to the gate of the Loango National Park (40 mn)
• Continuation of the trip by boat
• Possibility to walk to reach to best animal viewing points
• Picnic included
• After lunch, walk in the forest (45 mn)
• Possibility to camp in the bush
• Maximum of 8 persons

OUR SAFARIS IN THE SURRONDINGS OF ENAMINO

Animals have no borders !

They move freely in the Loango National Park and outside the park (the area commonly know as ‘trivial part”), and migrate with the seasons to their tanks foods or trace elements.

Photo : gorilla’s track on the beach

Situated between ocean and forest, the Enamino’s resort enjoy a stategic site for the realization of safari-trekking along the beach, where many animals come to drink sea salt. During the raining season, from October to May

SAFARI SEQUENCE

• Departure from the lodge in late afternoon by 4x4 to beginning of the walking tour (15 mn)
• One or two hours walking on the wild beach near the forest, to look for species come to enjoy the sea spray (elephant, antelope, ape...)
• Back to Enamino to sundowm
• Parent’s responsibility for under-age children
• Maximum of 8 persons

* Driving through wonderful landscapes, we sometimes ride on bumpy uncomfortable tracks. Indicated times may vary according to road and weather conditions.