Our favourite attractions in Gabon in 2022
Top tourist attractions in Gabon, you say? Well, Gabon’s lush rainforests and open savannah offer a fantastic diversity of species to enchant nature enthusiasts—with 11.25 per cent of the country designated as national parkland. Amazing, right? Add in fantastic white-sand beaches, flowing rivers, and otherworldly landscapes, and you’ve got yourself a heavenly travel experience in an undiscovered corner of Africa. The Atlantic Equatorial Coastal Forests blanket this African Eden, and the wildlife and plants are truly amazing. It has evergreen lowland woods and a very sparse human population in the centre part of the country, all offering top attractions in Gabon. Gabon’s wildlife is well-preserved, and with 13 national parks and a slew of additional protected areas, there is so much to do and see when visiting the country.
Below you’ll find our top favourite attractions in Gabon.
01. Loango National Park
Attractions in Gabon
Loango National Park provides beautiful views, as well as the rare opportunity to see elephants, buffalos, hippos, gorillas, and leopards roaming freely on its white-sand beaches. Following South Africa, the world’s highest concentration and variety of whales and dolphins can be seen just off the coast of Loango. There are almost 100 kilometres of deserted coastline in the vicinity, and humpback and killer whales can be seen easily. This is, without a doubt, the most gorgeous area on Africa’s western coast, where forests, savannas, wetlands, lagoons, and the ocean all meet. Not only that, Loango is known around the world as a hotspot for record-breaking tarpon and other enormous saltwater fish.
02. Libreville
Attractions in Gabon
Libreville is home to over a third of Gabon’s population. It is Gabon’s capital and the country’s only real city. Paved roads and clean streets meet fantastic restaurants with superb French wine, casinos, and gated communities. Libreville’s establishment has a resonant African heartbeat full of busy, chaotic, and oh-so-fun marketplaces, as well as a spectacular coastline. Libreville (which means “Freetown” in French) was founded in the mid-nineteenth century by freed slaves. It grew slowly and attracted a diverse group of people, eventually becoming a modern-day liberal town. When you’re there, be sure to visit the National Museum, the Presidential Palace, L’Eglise St-Michel (St Michael Cathedral), and the Musée des Beaux-Arts, in addition to the vibrant markets.
03. Lope National Park
Attractions in Gabon
Lopé National Park contains grassland, rolling hills, and rainforest, where buffalo, elephants, gorillas, and mandrills are likely to be found. After the Okanda Wildlife Reserve was founded in the 1940s, this national park was established as a restricted area. It has since been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Apart from the many game viewing opportunities, visitors can also book an incredible mandril trekking activity which forms part of an ongoing scientific monitoring project. For those interested, a close-up view of research programs like the behaviour of the great apes and even elephants and leopards is possible. Bird watchers are definitely in for a surprise as the thriving avian life makes the park the ideal destination.
04. Pointe-Denis Beach
Attractions in Gabon
One of the top attractions in Gabon is Pointe-Denis Beach—a major breeding ground for leatherback turtles. A popular holiday destination, Pointe-Denis Beach boasts a long stretch of white sand hugged by dense vegetation and palm trees, providing a stunning backdrop. From swimming and snorkelling to whale watching and boat trips, there is something for everyone. Pointe-Denis also offers numerous restaurants and cafes, as well as accommodation.
05. Lastoursville Caves
Attractions in Gabon
Spanning 90 square kilometres, Lastoursville features around 35 caves nestled in dense rainforest near the town with the same name. Formed over 50 million years ago, exploring the caves will lead explorers to uncover the human activity dating back 7,000 years when the caves were used in rituals. For those looking for someone to guide them through this wonderful network of caves, there are plenty in town, simply enquire at a hotel.
06. Ivindo National Park
Attractions in Gabon
Arguably one of the most beautiful, one of the most remote, and one of the noteworthy national parks in Central Africa, Ivindo National Park offers a truly authentic outdoor experience. Ivindo river is the highlight of the park which flows through the forest and ends in breathtaking waterfalls and rapids. Some of the popular activities here include pirogue lessons, bird watching with over 430 species to find, and a visit to Langoue Bai.
07. Akanda National Park
Attractions in Gabon
Famed for being the nesting area for one of the largest populations of migratory birds in the world, Akanda National Park is the perfect destination for avid bird watchers. The park is home to approximately 25% of mangroves in the whole of Africa. Apart from bird watching and the immense beauty of the park, exhilarating water sports are on offer. These include fishing, boating, and whale and dolphin spotting. Additionally, sunset boat cruises are the most popular tour in the area and offer unsurpassed views of Africa’s rugged coastline. The Mondah and Corisco Bays are ideal spots for fishing, as well as ocean safaris, which offer plenty of opportunities to spot dolphins, whales and manatees. Canoeing in traditional pirogues is another way to explore the waterways, while guided walks along the northern part of the park offer important insight into the habitat.
