Day 1: Libreville → Day 2: Akanda and the Estuary → Day 3: Ivindo National Park → Day 4: Lopé National Park → Days 5–6: Loango National Park. Travel between inland national parks is via small aircraft or private transfer; it is recommended to arrange the entire trip through a local tour operator.
Upon arrival in the capital, adjust to the hot and humid climate. Stroll along the seaside boulevard, visit the National Museum and the craft market, and try your first Gabonese dish made with palm nuts and cassava leaves in the evening.
Head to Akanda National Park, adjacent to the capital. Take a boat ride through the mangroves and estuaries to observe water birds, monkeys, and coastal vegetation. Watch the sunset over the lagoon in the evening—a relaxing transition day to acclimate to the rainforest environment.
Fly to Ivindo and visit the Kongou Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hike through pristine forests, spotting giant trees and a rich variety of birds. Spend the night at a forest camp and immerse yourself in the sounds of the rainforest.
Travel to Lopé National Park, known for its savannahs nestled within the rainforest and herds of mandrills. Hike in the early morning to spot mandrills and forest elephants, and visit ancient rock art sites to experience both natural and cultural heritage.
Arrive on the Atlantic coast at Loango. Take a boat tour of the lagoons and mangroves, look for elephant and hippo tracks on the beach, and, during the dry season at night, observe sea turtles coming ashore to lay eggs. Local lore speaks of hippos emerging in the surf, earning them the nickname “surfing hippos.” Return to Libreville or depart from Port-Gentil.