Evengué Lodge

Gorillas living on an island of a lagoon 10 kilometres from the Gabonese town of Omboué? Yes, it’s really true. The island is Evengué, a sanctuary and reintroduction centre for western lowland gorillas orphaned by the bush trade. Your Loango experience can either start or finish with a trip to this island, which forms part of a circuit that includes the St. Anne’s Catholic Mission, designed by Gustav Eiffel, and the Mpivié River, whose dark waters are typical of the many small rivers that drain the coastal lowland forests. Fringed by a tangle of swamp forest, this river has a classic ‘jungle’ feel to it. A number of very rare bird species seldom seen anywhere else are often sighted along its banks including Pel's fishing owl, African finfoot, Hartlaub's duck and the white-crested tiger heron. On sunny days, slender-snouted crocodiles can also be seen basking on overhanging branches.

The boat ride brings you to the charming settlement of Evengué Lodge, whose bungalows are either set in the forest or face the lagoon. At the centre of this quaint complex is a raised, wooden restaurant, lounge and waterside terrace.

The ideal starting point for your journey …

Evengué is the ideal starting point for your Loango experience, as it introduces all the landscapes you will encounter on the rest of your journey: forest, savannah and lagoon can all be found on the island and the beach is also close by.

… and a sanctuary and reintroduction centre ...

During your stay on the island, learn some more about the Fernan-Vaz Gorilla Project, initiated to
prepare orphaned western lowland gorillas for life back in the wild. These gorillas reside in the forest during the day with their keepers to learn wild gorilla behaviour. Prior to their departure into the forest for the day, you can pay a visit to the edge of the enclosed area where the gorillas stay at night.

The island also serves as a sanctuary for gorillas that have spent their whole life in captivity. These gorillas reside in a semi-natural captive setting and are fed and monitored by trained local keepers. To protect your own health and that of the gorillas, no direct contact is allowed.

… for Mabeke …

Mabeke is an impressive Silverback who lived in captivity for 20 years at a research centre in Gabon.
In 1980, at the age of approximately 8-10 months, he was brought to the centre since no sanctuaries
existed at that time in Gabon. Like all other orphans victim of the bush meat trade, Mabeke had lost his family, his home and his dignity. In 2001, he was relocated to Evengué Island in the hope of providing him with an improved quality of life.

… Gimenu and many others

Gimenu, a male orphan gorilla born in 2001, came to the project in November 2006 in an emaciated
and debilitated state. Gimenu was rescued from a local zoo where he had spent 3 years of solitude
confined to a small cage. Before this, he was owned by a European family in Libreville. After continued intense rehabilitation and training there, it is hoped he may one day be reintroduced to the wild.

The Fernan-Vaz Gorilla Project