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March 10, 2023
Trekking Mandrills in Gabon
March 12, 2023Hiking Mount Brazza is one of the best to do activities in Gabon, Mount Brazza (500m/1 640ft a.s.l.) is a hill in Gabon. The prominence is 155m/509ft. There’s a trail leading to the summit. Hiking Mount Brazza can be done on your safari in Lope National Park Gabon is one of the only parks in Africa where you can see the Mandrills. No other park in Central Africa is considered more vital for primates than Lopé National Park, the oldest and one of the most astounding biospheres on the African continent.
Lope National Park Gabon is home to over 1400 endangered mandrills as well as 420 bird species, the national park is equally a stronghold for western gorillas, sun-tailed guenon, black colobus, chimpanzee and forest elephants who thrive in the forest gallery and fingers of lush, misty savannah interacting landscapes that were created at the end of the last Ice Age almost 12,000 years ago. The parks vast wilderness covers 5,360km2 of virgin forest and intersects pockets of misty savannahs in its northern boundary. The first protected area in Gabon which was established in 1946, this UNESCO World Heritage-listed park nurtures one of Africa’s most important prehistoric sites and ecologically significant reserves for primates.
Animals to see in Lope National Park Gabon
Keeping company with large herds of forest elephants, forest buffalo and a variety of smaller mammals are leopard, golden cat, red river hog, sitatunga, yellow backed duiker and various species of monkeys and apes 4000 western lowland gorillas, chimpanzee and sun-tailed guenon. An endemic species to Gabon, this long tailed monkey was only discovered just over three decades ago and lives within the hidden forests of the northern end of the park.
Bordered by two tributaries of the Ogooué— one of Africa’s legendary African rivers, Lopé also served as an ancient trade and migration corridor along the Congo Basin for pygmy tribes. Today, the Ogooué River Valley’s deep ridges and forest gallery is a veritable hotspot for prehistoric antiquities and rich, tribal culture. So much, the recent discovery of over 1800 Iron-Age petroglyphs and scant traces of Stone-Age and Iron-Age settlements and artefacts revealed just how significant the region was to Africa’s human evolution over the past 400,000 years. Now an inscribed UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can visit the park’s eco-museum and delve into the heritage of the Bantu tribes, and the park’s profusion of flora and wildlife of every ilk.
Where to stay in during Hiking Mount Brazza
Hotels where to stay include Moabi Tented Camp is located in the midst of rolling savannah at the northern end of the park, just 40-minutes from Lopé National Park Station. An exclusive location that allows you to move with the wildlife and get close to the action.
Creating the sensation of a grand mobile safari, each of the camp’s six guest tents have been kitted out with classic safari-style furnishings. Private quarters lit by the luminous glow of parrafin lamps and an extended sitting area where the views are infinite. You also dine beneath the stars on grilled campfire meats, salads and wine at an elegant dining table; a setting where forest elephants, red river hogs or buffalos may also cross your path. For a rested sleep, comfortable beds draped with billowing mosquito netting are ready made for blissful slumber. Only you and a chorus of seranading insects of the savannah.
How to get to Lope National Park
If you’re travelling directly to Lopé from Libreville, The Trans Gabon Railway offers the most comfortable experience. Overnighting in the capital upon arrival to Gabon, the air-conditioned train departs at 16.00PM, to Owendo Station [40 minutes from downtown] where you board the express train in first class to the national park, arriving in Lopé at 01.00AM. Though the service comes with meals, we recommend that you bring additional snacks, drinks and something to drape around your shoulders when the air conditioning ramps up. It is also important to note that PGWC will only book your passage on this express train.
The safari includes several walking treks when tracking mandrills and other wildlife. To enjoy the trip you should be physically fit and capable of walking a minimum of 5 km on hikes over rough terrain. Excursions also include treks to Mt Brazza and other forest trails. You will have an expert Gabonese tracker who will guide you on the trip.
Why book your Safari to Lope National Park Gabon with Eco Adventure Safaris
Eco Adventure Safaris offers unrivalled and professional tour and travel services in Gabon. Eco Adventure Safaris boosts of a professional office and field team that takes care of all your requests and inquiries. We are highly recommended on trip advisor as well as Trust pilot. Our website is one of the best and reliable point to help you start preparing for your Gabon safari as we have the best and update information that you can rely on. Please feel free to contact us here about safari trip to Lope National Park Gabon including Hiking Mount Brazza.