Primates - Containing the second largest rainforest in the world Gabon is home to a variety of primates including the lowland gorilla, chimpanzee, mandrill and a number of different monkey species (sun tailed, colobus, moustached, putty nosed, crowned and red capped mangabey to mention just a few).
   
The western lowland gorilla, native to Gabon, is renowned for how difficult it is to habituate to human presence; with larger home territories this subspecies tends to roam further afield in search of its staple diet thus making it harder to track and harder to habituate. Tracking gorillas in Gabon cannot and should not be compared to visits to the mountain gorillas of Uganda and Rwanda. The best chance of sightings of gorillas in Gabon is at Langoue Bai (a forest clearing) where a variety of forest animals enter the Bai in search of minerals for their diet and water. Seeing wild lowland gorillas alongside such other animals as forest elephant, sitatunga, and buffalo is quite an extraordinary sight! Gorillas can also be seen at a number of other parks throughout Gabon however sightings are not guaranteed, tracking is strenuous and be prepared to be crawling through the forest on your stomach - travellers must bear in mind that they are some of the first tourists to visit Gabon and that this is all part of the experience!!

Chimpanzees are also present in large numbers in Gabon. As of yet no troops have been habituated and therefore sightings cannot be guaranteed yet it is likely that you will come across them or their tracks on one of your many excursions.
    
Mandrills make up one of the largest primate gatherings on earth with groups of up to 1,000+! Lope National Park is one of the best locations to spot these groups during the dry season.

Other Wildlife - Gabon may not have the savannah game of countries such as Kenya or Tanzania however it continues to throw up surprises for all involved  - renowned for its surfing hippos, gorillas, elephants and buffalo on the beach, this truly is a Garden of Eden. 

Marine Life - Gabon's beaches are world renowned nesting grounds forturtles, in specific leatherback turtles, with them coming ashore to lay their eggs between mid November and mid January every year. Alternatively why not visit between July and October when the waters off Gabon's coastline become one of the most important breeding grounds for humpback whales! Spectacular to watch at 15m long and often mixing with killer whales and dolphins this is a definite must!

Gabon's vast variety of flora and fauna is unique to Africa and it is this uniqueness that contributes to the reasoning behind visiting Gabon. As Gabon is still only a young destination it may not be able to guarantee specific sightings of certain animals (what destination ever can!) but the amalgamation of such variety in one country provides a unique experience that is not possible anywhere else on the continent. World Primate Safaris recommends Gabon as a destination for the experienced African traveller and for travellers to note that Gabon is a seasonal destination. Please contact us for further information.