Loango and Ivindo Explorer - An 11 day safari - From £1,950 per person 

Day 1
Arrive in Libreville and have the day at your leisure. Explore the local market, swim in the sea or just relax back at your hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel Tropicana - a popular local hotel located on the seafront with good local cuisine.

Day 2
Explore Cap Esterias where you will discover fine sand beaches with coconut trees and one can stroll for kilometres along the seashore. Alternatively visit Pointe Denis located opposite Libreville; here you can explore the white sand beaches and swim in the blue waters at your leisure. In the evening catch the Transgabonais Express southwards to Ivindo. The Transgabonais is an adventure in itself, rarely arriving at its destination on time it is an experience not to be missed!

Accommodation: Transgabonais Express. Do not expect to get much sleep tonight!

Day 3
Upon arriving at Ivindo you have time to freshen up at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) office before setting off on your drive into the forest. A 3hr drive by 4x4 brings you to the end of the track and the start of your walk to Langoue Camp. With a slippery climb for the first half an hour once you reach the top it is a beautiful walk through this pristine forest. You are privileged to visit this area; only discovered a few years ago, many of the animals that you see in this area are completely naïve to mankind. If you still have energy left upon arrival, it is possible to visit Langoue Bai in the afternoon.

Accommodation: WCS research camp. A fairly rustic camp consisting of tents on wooden platforms set amidst the second largest rainforest in the world. Facilities are basic but comfortable with bucket showers (hot water can be prepared upon request). In the evenings sit around with the researchers and learn about the forest, the Bai and the surrounding area.

Days 4, 5 and 6
You will spend the coming days at Langoué Bai. This is a one hour's walk from the camp with a steep hill at the end. Three platforms in the trees along the edge of the bai provide an ideal location for wildlife viewing. Guides are available to accompany you to the bai and on forest walks. The paths around Langoué pass through spectacular tropical forest with impressively large trees and high biodiversity. Animals such as red river hogs, monkeys, birds and occasionally gorillas and chimpanzees can sometimes be seen while walking through the forest. Elephants and gorillas are seasonal visitors to the bai. The best time to see elephants is usually during the rainy season (April-June and November- January), whereas gorilla visits peak in April, June and July. Please note however that these are wild animals and sightings are not guaranteed. This is a true adventure..

Accommodation: WCS research camp. A fairly rustic camp consisting of tents on wooden platforms set amidst the second largest rainforest in the world. Facilities are basic with bucket showers (hot water can be prepared upon request). In the evenings sit around with the researchers and learn about the forest, the Bai and the surrounding area.

Day 7
In the morning you start your trip back to a local airstrip. After the 2 hr walk back out of the forest you have a 3hr drive to the airstrip where you are met by your plane. After approximately a 1.5hr flight across the forests of Central Africa you will arrive in the early evening at Loango National Park. Spend the evening relaxing and making the most of hot and cold running water, air conditioning and the beautiful view across the lagoon as you enjoy supper.

Accommodation: Loango Lodge has 7 bungalows with ensuite bathroom with shower and 3 suites with an ensuite bathroom with bath. There is also a 2-bedroom house with 2 bathrooms and a living area, ideal for families. All bungalows and suites have a fan, safe, mini-bar, air-conditioning and screen windows. The restaurant has a large sun terrace and a library with an extensive collection of books on Gabon, birds and other wildlife. The paillotte in the lagoon gives the option of dining privately.

Day 8
After breakfast in the lodge, you will visit Loango National Park by 4x4, kayak or on foot. You will discover the beauty of the reserve and its diversity of landscapes and wildlife. Other activities that we offer include sport fishing with our professional equipment and trained guides, or a village tour through the nearby Ntchongerove village and the Okoume Forest. Our eco-guides will explain how to survive in the forest and you will see how the local population manages to live alongside nature. Myths, the medical uses of plants and trees and other hidden treasures will all be revealed to you during this special experience.
We also offer you the unique experience of joining one of our research teams while conducting their research into whales, leatherback turtles and crocodiles (depending on the time of year).

Accommodation: Loango Lodge has 7 bungalows with ensuite bathroom with shower and 3 suites with an ensuite bathroom with bath. There is also a 2-bedroom house with 2 bathrooms and a living area, ideal for families. All bungalows and suites have a fan, safe, mini-bar, air-conditioning and screen windows. The restaurant has a large sun terrace and a library with an extensive collection of books on Gabon, birds and other wildlife. The paillotte in the lagoon gives the option of dining privately.

Day 9
After breakfast one of our 4x4 jeeps will take you southwest to the Tassi area, which will take approximately 1.5 hours. During this drive you may see animals such as elephants, red river hogs, buffaloes, birds and sitatungas. Tassi bush camp is situated on the savannah, surrounded by primary and secondary forest. Here you may be lucky enough to spot gorillas and chimpanzees. In Tassi Sud, 30 minutes from Tassi Bush Camp, is the Max Planck Institute which carries out an important habituation programme with these primates.
From Tassi you can easily go on excursions to Louri. Here you will have a good chance of seeing buffalo and elephants on the beach: a truly remarkable sight and characteristic for Loango National Park!

Accommodation: Tassi has 5 tents on sundecks with private bathrooms with bucket showers and toilet. Each tent has comfortable beds, chairs and a private terrace. The tents are placed far enough away from each other to ensure your privacy. The restaurant is built on a platform, which gives you fantastic views of the surroundings while having breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Day 10
After your return from Tassi around lunchtime, your guide will discuss with you how you would like to discover other parts of the park; on foot into the mangroves, by kayak over the lagoon or by 'houseboat' to Bat and Bird Island and its flocks of birds. 
We also offer you the unique experience of joining one of our research teams as they conduct their research into whales, leatherback turtles and crocodiles (depending on the time of year).

Accommodation: Loango Lodge has 7 bungalows with ensuite bathroom with shower and 3 suites with an ensuite bathroom with bath. There is also a 2-bedroom house with 2 bathrooms and a living area, ideal for families. All bungalows and suites have a fan, safe, mini-bar, air-conditioning and screen windows. The restaurant has a large sun terrace and a library with an extensive collection of books on Gabon, birds and other wildlife. The paillotte in the lagoon gives the option of dining privately.

Day 11
Relax at the lodge in the morning or alternatively visit the attractive beach camp of Point St. Catherine (approximately 30 minutes). This camp is situated on a beautiful spot on the beach in the north of Loango National Park. Swimming, shell seeking and fishing are amongst the possibilities. You can also, of course, simply relax here and have this gorgeous beach all to yourself. In the afternoon you catch your charter flight back up along the dramatic coastline to Libreville where you will catch your international flight back to the UK.