Africa's Last Eden

The Republic of Gabon is a former French colony with a longstanding stable political climate, located on the Atlantic coast of Central Africa. In 2002, President Omar Bongo Ondimba put Gabon firmly on the map as an important future ecotourism destination by nominating more than 11% of the nation's territory as National Park – a new standard in African eco-tourism and conservation! As a percentage of a country's total area, only Costa Rica has more national park, though the total size of its parks is much smaller than in Gabon.

Many nature lovers well acquainted with the African continent consider Gabon a rare and exotic tropical gem, yet tourism here still remains relatively undeveloped. WILDLIFE-RICH FORESTS COVER 70% OF GABON’S LANDMASS, its vast picturesque coastline is predominantly wild and unspoiled, and its inland and coastal waters teem with myriad species of fish, reptiles and marine mammals. The naturalist Mike Fay has referred to Loango as ‘Africa’s Last Eden’, and this is also where the photographer and conservationist Nick Nichols from National Geographic took his famous pictures of surfing hippos and elephants on the beach.

But there’s plenty more here besides hippos and elephants, for Gabon is home to western lowland gorillas and nearly 200 other mammal species, 600 species of birds, and more than 8,000 plant species.

In total, there are 12 national parks in Gabon. Not all the parks are accessible. Africa's Eden offers tours in Loango, Lopé and Invindo National Parks.

See our example itineraries.