Pte. Ste. Cathérine Beach Camp

Imagine a great stretch of wild, pristine beach, nearly 100 kilometres long. It is so remote that the only footprints in the sand besides your own are those left by scurrying crabs. The beach is lined by dense mangrove forests sheltering a whole range of wildlife and smaller mammals. Perfect for taking long walks, collecting shells or watching the sun go down while sipping a glass of chilled champagne after a day of safari in Loango National Park.

A 30-minute boat ride from Loango Lodge brings you to Pte. Ste. Cathérine in the north of Loango National Park where our comfortable and well equipped tents nestle in the coastal forest right on the beach's edge. Dine in the restaurant, on the lounge deck, or enjoy a feet-in-the-sand beach barbeque affair.

The perfect combination of wild beaches …

Leave the world behind and roam free along wild beaches to the rhythmic crashing of the ocean breakers. You can discover the beach on foot or by bike. If you head south to Louri Lagoon, you have a good chance of spotting some buffalos and elephants on the beach. If you prefer the forest, you can also head into the mysterious mangrove area with of one of our eco-guides.

… turtle patrolling, fishing …

Gabon is home to one of the largest leatherback populations in the world. In the turtle season, from October to February, you can venture out at night with our expert eco-guides to look for nesting marine turtles. In total, four species of marine turtles can be found nesting on Gabon’s beaches. The leatherback and the olive ridley nest here regularly but the green turtle and the hawksbill turtle only nest here on rare occasions.

The point where the lagoon empties into the ocean contains some of the largest game fish in the world, making it an ideal spot for fishing – and only one minute’s walk from your tent!

… and tranquility

Feel the wind in your hair, the salt on your lips, the breakers crashing at the water’s edge. Read, eat, drink or just sit around enjoying the smells and sounds of the beach. As evening falls, enjoy the menu’s choice of delicacies in the restaurant or with your feet in the sand. Later, it is night, you listen to the fire burning crisply and some animal noises in the distance, but slowly the ocean, endlessly ebbing and flowing along the beach, lulls you into a deep, contented sleep.

TOURS & ACTVITIES

Sea turtle night patrol
Deep-sea fishing
Sea kayaking
Beach walks
Beach cycling (depending on tides)
Viewing animals on the beach
Mangrove hikes

Ste. Cathérine at a glance

STE. CATHÉRINE AT A GLANCE

CAMP

5 comfortable Meru tents, each with 2 single beds, an ensuite bathroom with shower, basin and toilet, mounted on a platform with private terrace under a palm thatch roof facing the beach & ocean
Thatch-covered restaurant / lounge deck overlooking the beach & ocean
Expert eco-guides and an excellent cook are on hand throughout your stay

ACTIVITIES

Sea turtle night patrol
Deep-sea fishing
Sea kayaking
Beach walks
Beach cycling (depending on tides)
Viewing animals on the beach
Mangrove hikes

WHEN TO VISIT HERE

Pte. Ste. Cathérine Beach Camp is open all year. Temperatures vary from 28 to 31 °C. The rains fall between November and April.

Special months:
September – March: deep-sea fishing
October – February: turtle nesting season
During the rainy season, Pte. Ste. Cathérine sunsets are even better than usual.

HOW TO GET HERE

Pte. Ste. Cathérine is in the north of Loango National Park, a few hundred metres north of where Iguéla Lagoon meets the ocean. You can get here in 15 minutes (8 km) by boat from Loango Lodge. SCD Aviation - Africa’s Connection (sister company of Africa’s Eden) provides scheduled and charter flights between Loango Lodge and all the major capitals in the region such as Libreville / Port Gentil (Gabon) and Douala (Cameroon).