Not a lot of people know Gabon, but they really should. This country is located on the equator, which means that the country is hot. It has a land area of 267,667 square kilometers (66 million acres) occupied by over two million people. It has one of the lowest population densities in Africa. It used to be under French rule until Gabon gained independence in 1960. But while the official language of the country is French, the Gabonese was able to keep much of their culture intact, despite soaking in European culture.
Gabonese loves its folklore and mythology, and many of the interesting stories lived on. The country is also known for its masks. Most local tribes have their mask and it is used during special occasions. The masks are made of wood. While the tribes originated from the Bantu people, there are around 40 ethnic groups in the country.
Gabon has thriving rainforests and a vibrant beach scene. Tourists will also enjoy wildlife adventures and scenic tours in the country’s national parks. In 2002, the Gabonese government set aside 10% of the country’s territory and designated them as protected areas. The nation has 13 national parks, most of which are largely unexplored as Gabon is not a top African destination. However, here are the top five national parks tourists should visit when in Gabon:
1. Bateke Plateau National Park
Tourists who want to experience wildlife adventures should consider Gabon, as it houses important mammalian populations without human interference like other African countries. The Bateke Plateau National Park is one of those places where visitors can see animals in their habitats. The park’s Mpassa River passes through a riparian forest with an abundance of Debrazza monkeys. The other aquatic resource is Allen’s swamp, which is home to several amphibian species. The gallery forest in the swamp area also hosts a large population of monkeys.
The rich water resources within the park along with its lush vegetation are also popular roosting areas for a wide variety of birds. Among the birds in the park are endemic. The commonly sighted birds in the area are the following: Angola batis, Black-collared bulbul, black-headed bee-eater, bush shrike, Congo moor-chat, cisticola, Forbe’s plover, francolin, marsh widowbird, pipit, quail finch, and weaver.
The park’s centerpiece is the Bateke Plateau, which is an ancient volcanic area. The landform is also known to be rich in manganese, a transitional metal.
2. Crystal Mountains National Park
This is a twin park comprising Mbe National Park and Mount Sene National Park. It was established in 2002. The name is derived from a group of low mountains traversing five countries: Angola, the two Congos, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon. The low mountains are unilaterally called the Crystal Mountains. Within the park, the highest peak among the mountain range is Mount Mbilan, which stands at 925 meters. The twin parks have high biodiversity. The entire park hosts a variety of trees, many species of orchids, some lichens, a gallery of forests, and a lot of begonias, which are beautiful perennial flowers that have as much as 1,800 species.
The park is meant to protect the thriving plant life within the area but the vegetation also provides great habitats for animals. Among the park’s animal residents are chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, forest buffaloes, forest elephants, leopards, mandrills, and western lowland gorillas. There are also around 48 species of reptiles within the park.
The park also has a great vista from the lowlands because the hills are shrouded in clouds and mist.
3. Ivindo National Park
Named after its Ivindo River, the park is also home to the Kongou and Mingouli waterfalls. The Kongou Falls is majestic, at a height of 56 meters with 3.2 kilometers of width. It is one of the strongest-flowing waterfalls in the world. Many also consider it the most beautiful waterfall in Central Africa. The Kongou is also part of the Ivindo River, which is known for its rich biodiversity.
The park also houses the Langoue Bai. Not only is the place significant for its biodiversity, but it is also important because of its archeological story that includes a community living there as early as 6,000 years ago.
4. Mwagna National Park
This contains the largest virgin forest in the country with thousands of ancient trees. It is known for its rich biodiversity. With its tree population and abundance of plants, the park is certainly significant not just in the country but in the whole world as well.
It is a great adventure park where people can walk within the forest or paddle in the numerous rivers inside the park. It is the perfect place to experience real wilderness. Tourists may even meet the different wildlife species during their tour: bongos, buffaloes, chimpanzees, forest elephants, marine chevrotains, sitatungas, and west gorillas.
5. Waka National Park
This park is unique because it’s not only about the beautiful landscapes and wildlife experience, it is also about the people—the Tsogo people. They are the protectors of the forest and they are believed to hold forest secrets, too. Among the important spots within the park are the Ngounie River and the northern part of the Ogooue River. These rivers are home to various fish species, some reptiles, and amphibians. The entire park also hosts more than 400 species of birds and 85 species of mammals. There are also around 1,500 species of plants.
There are so many exciting activities in the park, which include hiking in the mountains. Some trails would cater to easy hikers and the more challenging routes for veteran mountain-climbers. Visitors may also paddle along the rivers, which are canopied by the park’s lush vegetation. Imagine riding a canoe and paddling through the river while looking at the different kinds of plants—definitely a plant enthusiast’s dream.
Lucky tourists may spot elephants within the park, but they will see some monkeys—there are a lot of them within the forest area. There are also gorillas and chimpanzees within the forest. This park has the highest population of chimpanzees and gorillas in Gabon.