Lope National Park
It is a national park in central Gabon. Although the terrain is mostly rain forest, in the north the park contains the last remnants of grass savannas created in Central Africa during the last Ice Age, 15,000 years ago. It was the first protected area in Gabon when the Lopé-Okanda Wildlife Reserve was created in 1946. In 2007, the Lopé-Okanda landscape was added to the World Heritage List by UNESCO.
The park contains a small research station, named as Mikongo and run by the Zoological Society London, based in the village known as Mikongo, from which it gets its name. There exists infrastructure to cater for tourists at the base, including several chalets and a large open air dining room, from which the rainforest is a mere five meters away. The park also hosts CEDAMM Training Centre, a Wildlife Conservation Society-run international conservation education center.
Lekedi National Park
The park was established on land that previously housed mineral miners. It is now an animal reserve with housing for visitors to stay and explore with a guide. Visitors can see buffalo , impalas, chimps, wild boar, various types of birds, and mandrills Located south of Moanda and Franceville, Lekedi Park is the successful result of an amazing conversion-project.
Franceville.
Features of the town include St Hilaire’s Church (built in 1899), a large statue of President Omar Bongo (who was born in Franceville), and a primate medical research institute. The town also has a golf course, while its airport lies 20 km west in Mvengué.
There is a market where numerous items can be purchased, including clothing, fruit and vegetables, electronics, meats, and the market also sells bushmeat, which includes African Rock Python, monkey and local species of animals.
The infrastructure of Franceville is overall of better quality than the rest of the country, most probably because of the city’s significance.
There are a few hotels of which the best known are the Hotel Leconi Palace, and Hotel Poubara, overlooking the President’s holiday home.
Franceville also has many waterfalls. One of the best known is the Poubara Falls, which is co-located with a hydroelectric plant, which provides the area with constant electricity.
Loango National Park
It is a national park in western Gabon. It protects diverse coastal habitat, including part of the 220 km² Iguéla Lagoon which is protected within a national park. Situated between the Nkomi and Ndogo Lagoons, Loango National Park is the true jewel of Africa’s western coast so called Africa’s Last Eden. The park’s 1,550 km² of savanna, pristine beach, forest and mangroves are a must-see in Gabon. Loango National Park offers extensive panoramas and the opportunity to observe elephants, buffalos, hippos, gorillas and leopards venturing onto the white sand beaches. Humpback and killer whales are easy to observe here. It is the most beautiful spot on Africa’s western coast – the place where forests, savannas, wetlands, lagoons and ocean all come together. Loango is renowned worldwide as a site for tarpon of record size, as well as many other large saltwater fish.
Moukalaba Doudou National Park
Located about 700 km south of the country’s capital city, Moukalaba Doudou is the third largest park of Gabon. It covers 4500 Km and its habitat range from tropical rainforst and grassy savannahs to papyrus swamps.
Moukalaba was gazetted as a forest reserve in 1962 and was givien the status of Nationzl Park in 2002. It has an estimated population on 5000 chimpanzes and primates which is highest densities of primates in Gabon and gives tourists the opportunity to observ animal from very close. The park provideshabitat for over 380 specied of birds aome of them unique. We can named vermiculated fishing owl, black-backed barbet, brown twin spot and some rare swallows.
In 2005, the site was added to the UNESCO World heritage. The place is a must-see for anyone wishing to experience an authentic feel of Gabon wilderness.