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Through the concept of 'tourism pays for conservation', Operation Loango developed luxurious and safe wild lands eco-tourism and conservation in and around Loango National Park. It offers small groups of tourists the opportunity to intimately experience the unique, diverse and intact ecosystems of the Petit Loango coastal region. To experience Africa as it once was, is leading in all our activities. |
Game drives in a 4x4 are an easy and comfortable way to view the park vistas and see wildlife such as buffalo, elephant, red river hog, sitatunga and if one is lucky, leopard, chimpanzee, gorilla, yellow-backed duiker, etc. |
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One of the best ways to truly appreciate the atmosphere of the region and its biotypes is on foot. One can encounter all the big game species and also have a better chance of finding the smaller or more inconspicuous forest animals, primates, birds, etc. Walks can range from a few hours to a few days. |
Sit-on-top kayaks offer a different, yet safe and comfortable angle from which to view wildlife in and around the various lagoons. It is not unusual to encounter groups of swimming buffalo and bathing elephants on a morning's paddling excursion down the nearby Louri lagoon. |
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Lagoon tours
A number of waterborne circuits take place on the Iguéla lagoon. While there is always the chance to see wildlife on these trips the main aim is to introduce guests to aspects of the general area and the local ecology and thus the focus is on the ‘smaller' things. Visitors can expect to learn about various birds, fish, plants, crustaceans, insects, etc. and how they interact. |
Nowhere else in western Africa is the coastal environment so unspoiled as it is in Gabon, ensuring quality fishing for Giant African threadfin, cubera snapper, Guinean barracuda, jacks, and tarpon, amongst others. Most fishing techniques are employed and include spinning, fishing with natural baits, trolling, surfcasting, fly fishing, etc. |
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The bird life is rich and varied, but as with the forest mammals, most birds require looking for. Bird-watching sorties can be organized on foot or by boat to a large variety of local habitats. Some of the local specials include Forbes's plover, grey pratincole, Pel's fishing owl, vermiculated fishing owl, African river martin, black-headed bee-eater, rosy bee-eater, and Loango weaver. |
In the months June to October, breeding humpback whales
congregate off the coast of Gabon as part of an annual migration
to the Gulf of Guinea. A research team based at Iguéla
conducts daily offshore surveys of these animals as part of
a long-term study. There is the option for limited numbers
of guests to accompany the research team and get to experience
the whales at close quarters. |
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Sea turtles
November to February is turtle season. Four species of turtle breed along the Loango coastline, including the impressive leatherback. Guests can join one of our turtle data collection teams on nightly marches looking for nesting or hatchling turtles. |
Crocodiles
All three species of African crocodile occur in the area and night time sorties are arranged to bring you in contact with some of these. |
Deserted beaches
There are few beaches in Africa that are as peopless as those around Iguéla. At any time, guests can enjoy walking on the beach, beachcombing and hunting shells just as much as their heart desires. |
Archaeological sights
The Loango coastline has a long history of human settlement and guests can be shown a number of archaeological sights beginning in age from the early Stone Age, through Bantu settlement and leading up to the pre-colonial era. |
Bwiti dancing
Bwiti is a form of traditional Gabonese dance and visitors can partake of this unusual spectacle on a late-night visit to a typical local village. The spectacular dance with fire to get into contact with ancestors is an experience you will never forget. The eating of the sacret wood (bois sacre) called Eboga causes light forms of hallucinations. |
Village walk
For those visitors curious about how other people live there is a guided walk that passes through a number of local campements (small, family villages). Along the way, guests will learn about medicinal and food plants and get a feeling for the local way of life. |
The Evengue circuit - Mpivié River, St. Anne Mission and Evengue
Starting at either Omboue or Iguéla, guests will spend time at Evengue island and the St. Anne mission, which is the unusual setting of a spectacular cast iron church designed by Eiffel. Part of the trip includes boating on the beautiful Mpivié , a black-water river with fringing swamp forest, slender-snouted crocodiles and interesting bird life. |
Lambarene
Day trips (by aeroplane) can be arranged for groups to visit the historic town of Lamberene and the Albert Schweitzer hospital. |
Conservation activities
As part of the Operation Loango philosophy, visiting and resident specialists involved in conservation and research programs will from time to time present their work and offer guests the opportunity to accompany them in the field. |
PRIMAL FORESTS, WATERSCAPES, WILDLIFE
LIVE THE LOANGO EXPERIENCE |
