# Loango National Park

Loango National Park is in the Coastal Plain region of Gabon.

## Understand

Loango National Park is a coastline park that encompasses some 1,550 km² of land and is famous for its variety of unspoiled landscapes. Africa’s Last Eden – that is how the ecologist and conservationist Mike Fay referred to Loango National Park in 1997 when he walked 3000 km along the forest corridor between Congo and Gabon to shine a global spotlight on Africa’s most pristine rainforests and the need to protect them.

### History

Loango National Park is one of the 13 national parks created in 2001 by Gabon’s President Omar Bongo Ondimba.

### Landscape

The habitat types in Loango National Park vary from marine, seashore, coastal lagoons, mangroves, salt marsh, coastal forest, swamp forest, rain forest, savannah, rivers until papyrus swamp

### Flora and fauna

Gabon is home to western lowland gorillas and nearly 200 other mammal species and 600 species of birds. In Loango National Park, you have a chance to see amongst others: the smaller forest elephant, red forest buffalo, red river hogs with furry ears, the slender snouted crocodiles, sitatunga, duikers, a variety of monkeys, a huge array of birds, whales (in season), hippos, western lowland gorillas and chimpanzees.

### Climate

Temperatures vary from 28 to 31 °C. The rains fall between October and April, with a short dry season in December and January.

## Get in

You can arrive from Omboué Evengué Island by boat up the Mpivié River or fly directly to Iguela, close to Loango National Park.
Africa’s Connection (sister company of Africa’s Eden) provides scheduled and charter flights between Iguela and the major cities in the region such as Libreville and Port Gentil (Gabon).

## Fees and permits

You have to pay a daily park fee when visiting the national park.

## Get around

In Loango National Park, the operator has created a circuit that allows you to see and experience all the park’s highlights and ecosystems. The starting point for most visitors is Evengué Island, just outside the park. From there, you can travel to Loango Lodge and their eco-camps in the jungle, the savannah, and on the beach.

## See

* forest elephants and buffalos on the beach
* gorilla sanctuary
* church built by Gustav Eiffel
* pristine nature
* jungle, savanna, wild beaches, lagoons, mangroves

## Do

* Safaris in Loango National Park
* Cultural excursions
* Walking safaris
* Whale-watching
* Birding expeditions
* Fishing
* Kayaking
Expeditions to:
* Akaka Bush Camp
* Evengué Lodge & Fernan-Vaz Gorilla Project
* Tassi Savannah Camp
* Pte. Ste. Cathérine Beach Camp

## Buy

Loango Lodge sells souvenirs produced by locals.

## Eat

Loango Lodge serves international cuisine, and supplies Evengué Lodge and the eco-camps with the same high-standard cuisine.

## Sleep
### Lodging

* Africa's Eden (Loango Lodge & eco-camps), Loango National Park (From Libreville with Africa's Connection or Air Service to Port Gentil; from Port Gentil by boat or plane to Omboué / Iguéla), ☏ +31 263705567, +31 241564818. From Loango Lodge, you can launch expeditions into different areas of Loango National Park, and camps such as Pte. Ste. Cathérine Beach Camp, Tassi Savannah Camp, Akaka Bush Camp and Evengué Lodge. From €235 per person per night, full board, including excursions. (updated Jan 2023)

### Camping

Camping is not allowed inside the national park, unless you are visiting the park with an official operator in the park.