Overview

Widely known for its lush tropical forests, Gabon is surrounded by Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, and Congo. This West African country is just a little smaller than the State of Colorado.

It's believed that the pygmies inhabited Gabon during 7,000 BC, with Bantu tribes invading later from Southern Africa. Now the Fang clan constitutes one-fourth of the population, with a number of other tribes, each contributing a small number to the rest of the populace.

Similar to many other African countries, Gabon was first invaded by the Portuguese, who established the first settlements on its land. In the late 15^th century, explorers found the mouth of the River Como and named it Rio de Gabao (River of Gabon). The land came under the control of the French in the late 19^th century but obtained independence in 1960.

Activities & Attractions

The Ivindo National Park in Gabon is probably the best place for observing wildlife in its natural habitat. Elephants, gorillas, buffalo, monkeys, and different varieties of rare birds are found in this park. An eco-camp near Langoue Bai, a marsh clearing in the middle of a forest, allows visitors to observe nature and its different manifestations uninterrupted and at leisure.

The eco-camp, which uses solar energy, costs a little over $300 per night. This eco-camp is not just for the environmentally conscious, but also for the athletic as getting to this camp requires good physical stamina. It takes a 2 to 3 hour hike with a camp pack to reach the campgrounds.

Another attraction of Gabon is the Loango National Park, which enables you to halt at a base camp and observe the hippos, whales, dolphins, and elephants. The Lope National Park was once a haven for hunting and logging, but these activities have ceased ever since it was made a national park in 2002. Now elephants, buffalo, red pigs, and other wildlife are plentiful in the park.

Lodging

While many prefer the trips and stays at eco-lodges to observe the wildlife, you can also find many luxury and budget hotels. Le Meridien hotels in Gabon charge from $100 to $300 per night, depending on the amenities you choose. And hotels aimed at the budget traveler start at $50 per night. In addition, the eco-lodge available at the Loango National Park costs $375 per person for a night. Some of the popular hotels in Libreville are the Lotus Bleu Hotel, Laico Okoume Palace Hotel, and Hotel Tropicana.

Transportation

There are many modes of travel available in Gabon. Gabonese railways facilitate train travel between many major cities. Cars can also be hired to meet your transportation needs in the larger cities. And the airport runs shuttles from the airport to the hotel locations regularly. Gabon also has a good network of domestic flights, so air travel from one city to another is made easy. You can also hire boats and ferries for more leisurely, laid back forms of travel.