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Heroes and Heroines Ivindo National Park
A vast and inaccessible park is home to some of Gabon's finest primary forest
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Our Team Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
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Our Tour Experts We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
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Heroes and Heroines The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.
Gabon Holidays
Discover unexplored wilderness in the country known as ‘Africa’s Last Eden’. Where forest elephants, lowland gorillas, chimpanzees and mandrills roam and hippos surf in the seas.
Gabon is home to vast expanses of unexplored wilderness in the heart of Africa. Yet, whilst most places on Earth have long since been explored, the forests of this area have remained wild and out of reach. These forests contain a fabulous wealth and variety of flora and wildlife including forest elephants, lowland gorillas, chimpanzees and mandrills, as well as wonderful birdlife.
How to discover Gabon
After a successful group tour to Ivindo and Loango national parks in January 2019, we have another trip organised for January 2020.
We can also arrange tailor-made trips to Gabon. However, the lack of tourist infrastructure means that these are a complicated and expensive endeavour if venturing further than Loango National Park.
For those who are keen to experience the West African jungle on a tailor-made trip, a visit to the neighbouring Republic of Congo, particularly Odzala National Park, is a better option.
A little more about Gabon
Gabon gained massive exposure in the press about ten years ago as an exceptional wilderness destination. Intrepid travellers hoped to see elephants roaming along remote beaches and hippos surfing in the sea. In truth, the reality on the ground did not live up to the hype, but if you are patient and lucky the rewards can be great.
Ideas for a Gabon holiday
- Visit Gabon’s coastal park, South Loango and spot forest elephants where the trees meet the Atlantic. As wildlife roams the beaches, discover why this country is known as ‘Africa’s Last Eden’.
- Explore Ivindo National Park, home to Langoue Bai – a wide forest clearing that attracts all kinds of jungle wildlife
Pioneering Group Tour
Gabon – Wildlife and Culture of Africa’s Eden
Explore a country that is a relative stranger to tourism, yet lays claim to some of the most remarkable biodiversity in West Africa.
- Explore a country that remains 80% covered by pristine rainforest
- Discover the vast Ivindo National Park, home to Langoue Bai
- Visit Loango National Park – encounter forest elephants and trek for lowland gorillas
- Experience an iboga-fuelled Bwiti ceremony, deep within Gabon’s inaccessible interior
Blog
Good Things Come to Those Who Wait by Rob Gardiner
“Sweat bees tickle the skin on my forearms. The perspiration lies there in beads, feeding their thirst. My heart is still pumping in my chest from the walk, at odds with the stillness surrounding me. The humidity presses on me, but it is the sense of expectation that weighs heavier upon my tired body.”
Explore Gabon
- Ivindo National Park
- Lambarene
- Loango National Park
Experiences
Tell us what you love doing and we’ll curate a journey that’s perfect for you.
Meet our experts
A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.
Chris Johnston
25 years ago, my first trip to Africa took on a life of its own. I planned for three months, I stayed for two years. Whilst there, I was mistaken for a priest, attacked by sharks and arrested. Yet the countless, clattering journeys opened my eyes to the beauty of the landscapes and the grace of the people. My recent trips are undoubtedly more comfortable, but the welcome is as warm as ever and the best experiences are still those I never see coming.
Talk with our experts
- 01285 880 980
What is the weather like in Gabon?
Gabon’s dry season tends to be from May to September followed by its rainy season. Another short dry season spans the Christmas period, before the rains return. Although average temperatures only reach 25°C, the humidity, which can be as high as 80%, makes it feel much hotter.
What kind of wildlife will see?
Home to the western lowland gorillas and nearly 200 other mammal species, you can, if lucky, expect to see great wildlife sightings in Gabon. Whale season spans July to September, and between November and January, you can expect to see turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs. In Loango National Park, you can expect to see the smaller forest elephants, red forest buffalo, red river hogs, crocodiles and a huge variety of monkeys.
What local food can I try?
Gabonese cuisine certainly has a strong French influence, evident in the popularity of baguettes and quiches. Staple foods in the more rural areas can range from cassava, rice and yams to smoked fish and stuffed crab. For those with a sweet tooth, the Gabonese customary dessert of baked bananas will not disappoint.
Is Gabon safe to travel around?
Swathes of forest, vast lagoons and a limited road network make Gabon a challenging country to travel in. However, safety is rarely a concern, thanks to the country’s stable reputation and fast-developing infrastructure. In recent years, a huge amount of road building has taken place. This means that main roads are usually of a good standard, but smaller roads are still poor and can quickly become impassable during the rainy season.
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Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?
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