Gabon – Highlights Group Tour

Itinerary

Sunday 21 February – Arrival Libreville

Morning arrival in Libreville with airport pick-up.

Located on the Atlantic coast, Libreville is one of Central Africa’s most relaxed capitals. After settling in, we begin our exploration of the city with a visit to the National Museum of Gabon, offering an introduction to the country’s diverse cultures and history. We then continue to Le Grand Marché Artisanal, where local artisans display traditional wood carvings, masks and handicrafts.

Later, we visit Baraka Church, the first church established in Libreville, and Sainte Marie Church before enjoying a stroll along the city’s waterfront boulevard overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Overnight stay in a hotel in Libreville.

Monday 22 February – Libreville – Pongara National Park 

After breakfast, we transfer to the waterfront and board a boat for the 45-minute crossing to Pongara National Park.

Located across the Gabon Estuary from Libreville, Pongara National Park protects a remarkable mix of coastal rainforest, mangroves, savannah and pristine Atlantic beaches. Despite being located close to the capital, the park feels wonderfully remote and is home to forest elephants, monkeys, marine turtles and a wide variety of birdlife.

Upon arrival, we check into our lodge and enjoy lunch overlooking the surrounding wilderness.

After lunch, enjoy time to relax at the lodge or join one of the excursions available within the park. Depending on local conditions and wildlife activity, opportunities may include guided walks through the coastal rainforest, kayaking through the mangrove channels, a 4×4 excursion through the park or simply relaxing on the park’s secluded beaches.

Overnight stay at Pongara Lodge in Pongara National Park.

Tuesday 23 February – Pongara National Park – Okuyi Mask Dance – Libreville

Spend the morning enjoying the natural surroundings of Pongara National Park. Most often, this is the best time for a 4×4 excursion through the park, offering the greatest chance of spotting forest elephants and other wildlife.

After lunch, we return by boat to Libreville.

This evening, we experience another important element of Gabonese culture. In a local neighbourhood, we attend a traditional Okuyi mask dance performance. Found across parts of Gabon and neighbouring countries, the Okuyi tradition combines elaborate masks, music and dance, offering a fascinating glimpse into the region’s cultural heritage.

Overnight stay in a hotel in Libreville.

Wednesday 24 February – Cap Estérias – Akanda National Park – Libreville – Okolassi

After breakfast, we leave Libreville and travel north towards Cap Estérias, where we explore the edge of the Mondah Forest. Located just outside the capital, this protected area preserves one of the last remaining stretches of coastal rainforest in the region and offers an opportunity to discover Gabon’s remarkable biodiversity.

Later, we continue to nearby Akanda National Park. Covering vast mangrove forests, mudflats and tidal waterways, the park forms one of the most important coastal ecosystems in Central Africa. By boat, we navigate through the estuary, exploring the park’s intricate network of channels while searching for birds and other wildlife that inhabit this unique environment.

In the evening, we leave the city behind and travel to the village of Okolassi. Here we attend a traditional Bwiti ceremony, one of Gabon’s most important spiritual traditions. Accompanied by local hosts, we gain insight into the music, symbolism and cultural significance of this ancestral practice. The ceremony usually lasts around three hours before we return to Libreville.

Overnight stay in a hotel in Libreville.

Thursday 25 February – Libreville

Transfer to the airport. End of the tour.

Or you can join us on the Fly Gabon flight for our Central African Republic Highlights Tour.