An amazing 10 percent of Gabon is protected parkland, created with a mosaic of game reserves and national parks that shelter a wealth of biodiversity.
- By Pamela Grant

Imagine a country where around most corners there is a rainforest, national park, or game reserve sheltering a diversity of wildlife and flora and fauna. That describes Gabon, a west central African nation at the equator.

Now add the sparkling Atlantic Ocean as the west border and two mountain ranges – the Crystal Mountains and Chaillu Massif range – and it is a portrait of a land called "Africa's last Eden."

Surfing Hippos and Wading Elephants
Gabon is slightly smaller in size that the state of Colorado and has approximately 1.5 million people. The official language is French due to the influence of early European settlers, but it is a country with a complex cultural history. The largest ethnic group is the Fang at 40 percent followed by the Teke, Eshira and Pounou, plus many others.

All have centered their cultural lives on the rainforest and the abundance of nature found within. The people are proud of their country and its abundance of preserved nature areas. More than 80 percent of the country is rainforest, and the government has set aside an amazing 10 percent of Gabon's land that now contains 13 national parks, not all of which are accessible.

In order to protect the rich natural and cultural heritage of Gabon, mass tourism is not encouraged. Instead, there is a focus on tourism that protects nature and the people in the villages to whom the forests are so important.

However, the landscape is as diverse as the wildlife and plants. There is rainforest, grass savannas, tidal beaches, mangroves, lagoons, rivers and waterfalls. If you want to see all of these scenes, a visit to Loango National Park is in order.

This is no ordinary park unless you think surfing hippos and ethereal landscapes are ordinary. It sits on the coast where you can find the extraordinary sight of elephants and buffalos roaming the beaches. There is so much protected white-sand beach (175km) that it is easy to find a spot to enjoy watching the dancing humpback whales and dolphins in the distance.

What of the legendary surfing hippos? Hippos at Petit Loango will enter the waves and ride them back to shore. Though it is difficult to catch them "surfing," it is easy to spot them in the rivers and the elephants lying on the beach.

A safari experience includes visits to lagoons, wetlands, savannas and forests where wildlife is plentiful.

This is also a hot spot for sport fishing where record tarpon are caught. Ecotourists can spot buffaloes, crocodiles, chimpanzees and gorillas, staying in a lodge around the Iguela Lagoon in the evenings.

If you want to see more wildlife, then the interior Lopé National Park will please. It is Gabon's first protected area and is mostly rainforest with a small amount of grass savannah created during the last ice age. The Ogooué River runs in the park's north. This park could be called a "Wildlife Eden." There are forest elephants, western lowland gorillas, forest buffalos, chimpanzees, leopards, sun-tailed guenons (monkey), emerald cuckoos and too many others to mention. The park has a research center that is managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society where tourists can stay and take part in the daily research program. It is a rare opportunity to backpack through the forest while working with scientists who are studying the behaviors of a variety of animals.

Take a Walk on the Wild Side On Safari
These two parks are just a sample of the delights waiting Gabon ecotourists.

There are many other splendid places to visit like the Invindo National Park, the Lekedi National Park, and the Wonga Wongue Reserve. Invindo National Park is bisected by the equator and contains some of Africa's most spectacular waterfalls – the Mingouli, Koungou and Djidji in the lowland forest. The only way to get to this park is by catching the Trans-Gabon railway from the capital city of Libreville or the Lopé National Park, walking on foot, traveling by boat or flying in a private plane that lands on a dirt airstrip.

Add a visit to one or more wildlife sanctuaries on your agenda. The wildlife reserves are, by design, natural habitat for animals, making it more difficult but even more exciting when visitors do spot the animals. The safaris are truly a walk on the wild side along rainforest trails or when experiencing gorilla treks.

There are a few places where animal viewings are easier. For example, ecotravelers can arrange to visit the Fernan-Vaz Gorilla Sanctuary on Evenguéisland where responsible and low impact tourism offers viewing of sanctuary gorillas living within a naturally-forested enclosure. The island even has the Evengué Lodge, consisting of five bungalows so plan well ahead.

Culture Based on Spirituality
The culture of Gabon is very spiritual with most art created for worship or to reflect spiritual beliefs. Even the musical instruments are played to call upon various spirits.

The Musée des Arts et Traditions in Libreville hosts exhibitions on culture and tribal crafts. The museum has an excellent collection of masks which each ethnic group wore for consulting, ceremonial occasions, initiation rites and therapeutic procedures. There are also many sculptures which are still crafted today.

The African Craft Market in Libreville is the place to find exceptional M'bigou stone statuettes, masks, paintings and fashion. It is also where you can mingle with the friendly locals who are willing to share their beautiful country with visitors who respect their efforts to maintain its natural beauty. The same is true of the Mount Bouet Market where locals and tourists haggle for food, traditional medicines, household items and textiles.

If you prefer a less structured shopping experience, there are famed craftsmen in the villages of M'Bigou and Eteke in the south who produce soapstone sculptures.

Capturing the beauty of Gabon in words is difficult at best. It is an enchanting land where time was purposely made to stand still. The country is prosperous because of oil and manganese exports, making it even more thrilling that Gabon's focus is on preserving its natural treasures.

Suggestion: Now is the time to visit, before too many people discover this sparkling African gem.

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