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Other sightseeing Vaccinations & protection Luggage: One main piece of baggage (a
kitbag or holdall) plus daysac. Total On this pioneering trip, we search for some of Gabon’s rare GABON PRIMATE SEARCH Ref BLG
The following trips are usually available and An International Certificate of Vaccination MAKOKOU
may be booked and paid for through your against Yellow Fever is required for entry allowance: 33lbs/15kgs maximum (due to primates, including lowland gorillas, as well as experience the Libreville
do
KONGOU
weight restrictions on our vehicles). Please pristine and diverse rainforests of Langoué Bai and Lopé I v i n IVINDO NP
tour leader. Estimated costs are provided. into Gabon. Although not compulsory, we AT L A N T I C
WATERFALLS
Travel by Pirogue
strongly recommend protection against note that it is important to keep within National Parks. Gabon is a relatively unknown and very OCEAN Equator
& on foot
é LANGOUÉ BAI
LANGOUÉ Overnight on platform viewing in Typhoid, Hepatitis A and Polio. Travellers these restrictions. The limit does not peaceful nation located on the west coast of Central Africa. O go o u LOPÉ
Ivindo Wildlife watching
NP
Langoué Bai – (cost to be confirmed). may also wish to immunise themselves include your camera equipment. With over 74% of its land covered by primeval, virgin
Train Station
LIBREVILLÉ Day trip to Ekwata Beach £25. against Meningitis. Malaria exists all year
rainforest it is home to an estimated population of 85,000
round throughout the country. Consult your Clothing: Pack for essentially ‘All Tours’
travel clinic for latest advice on different plus ‘Hot Conditions’. Temperatures are hot chimpanzees, 35,000 forest elephant and 40,000 lowland
Practical information prophylaxis available against Malaria. and humidity is high year round. Take cotton gorillas. We base ourselves in two prime areas of beautiful GABON
Seasonal climate Special Note: Visa and vaccination clothes, either khaki or brown/green as wilderness, containing a variety of habitats and a diversity of
Gabon’s climate is typically equatorial. The requirements are subject to change and white and bright colours are more obvious flora and fauna that rivals anywhere on the African continent.
km
temperature is hot and ranges from 25°C to should be confirmed before departure. to wildlife. Light gloves are useful for Travelling by boat and on foot we penetrate deep into the 0 150
30°C throughout the year. Relative humidity protecting hands during the tracking, whilst
heartland of primary rain forest. All departures are planned to
is high at around 80%. Sunshine hours long sleeved shirts and long trousers are
range from 4 to 6 between October and
Packing for your trip recommended for protecting arms and legs coincide with the best months to encounter lowland gorillas
A complete list of clothing and personal against razor grass and other sharp (essentially when they feed on ripe fruit) but sightings can by no means be guaranteed. This is not Uganda and these are not habituated
March. Rainfall should be expected all year
gear is contained in Explore’s ‘General plants/insects and also tetse flies. Take mountain gorillas. You will also get the chance to search for a number of other primates, including chimpanzees, mandrills, various
round, with highest levels from September
Information Booklet’, available only after a swimwear for the pool at Lopé Hotel and the monkeys, as well as hopefully seeing forest elephant, buffalo, red river hogs, duiker, monitor lizards, crocodiles, snakes, and a rich birdlife.
through to May, though this tends to come
booking has been accepted. Here we make beach. A lightweight rain jacket or poncho is Though for many people seeing gorillas will be a highlight, as previous clients have testified, the experience of being in a remote camp, in
in tropical downpours either mid-afternoon
a few specific recommendations with regard essential in the forest.
or during the night. In October the savannah pristine rainforest, where few western people have ever been and new species of plant, insect and monkey are still being discovered, is a
to your tour.
is filled with flowering orchids. very special one. Our group size is kept small and flexible with a maximum of 8.
Footwear: Sturdy water-proof walking boots
Visa requirements for the tracking or wellington boots (gaiters
Entry visas are required for UK, NZ, AUS,
USA & CAN citizens and must be obtained
before departure. They can be obtained
through the Explore visa service. Other
nationalities must consult their travel agent
can be useful too) and sandals or
trainers/light shoes for travelling/camp use.
Equipment: Bring a good torch (head torch
is useful), insect repellent, sunscreen,
Gabon 2005 Tour dossier
or consular office. sunhat and a large personal water bottle.
Mosquito nets are provided locally where
Villagers along the roadside
necessary. A walking pole would be useful.
Binoculars are essential for monkey/bird Dossier Ref. BLG
spotting, as is a telephoto lens for close-up
wildlife shots. Take anti-histamines in case
of insect bites. Lightweight sleeping bag.
Gabon Primate Search Special highlights
Among the many highlights featured on this tour,
we particularly mention:
• KANGOU Visit to stunning waterfalls by
General information pirogue and on foot.
• LANGOUÉ BAI Gorilla spotting in pristine
Area: 583,000 sq km. rain forest.
Population: 31.63 million. • LOPÉ WILDLIFE RESERVE Game viewing
Language: Swahili, English. and wilderness walks.
Religion: 35% Protestant, 30% Roman
Catholic, 30% Muslim, 5% Animist. Earth matters
Local Time: GMT + 3 hours. The national park fees go directly towards aiding the
preservation of this magnificent ecosystem.
Recommended Maps: IGN Gabon
(1:1,000,000), ITMB Gabon and
Equatorial Guinea (1:980,000).
Dates and prices
in £ from Libreville Start Wed end Fri Adult
Recommended Books: Collins guides to 01 Jun - 10 Jun 05 £1995
‘Birds of West Africa’ and ‘Mammals of 09 Nov - 18 Nov 05 £1995
Africa’, Jan Brokken: The Rainbird: 23 Nov - 02 Dec 05 £1995
A central African Journey, Bradt guide:
Plus Local Payment: €260 (approx. £170)
Gabon, Sao Tome & Principe.
payable Libreville.
Insurance: £75
Single Room Option: Not available
Note: Gabon Flights
Gorilla in Langoué Bai We would like to highlight that there are only a very
limited number of airlines that operate services from
Issued 01 Jan 2005. Valid from 01 Jan 2005 to 31 Dec 2005 Europe to this developing African nation. We have
obtained seat allocations with Air Gabon. Air Gabon’s
flights can, in our experience, be subject to some
Joining information Joining tour abroad delays and alterations at short notice. We will of
course endeavour to notify you of any changes to your
Please consult your agent for flights to reach 10 days/9 nights Land Only flights at the earliest opportunity. As an alternative,
Single Room Option the joining point of this trip.
When a booking has been made a separate
Libreville to Libreville you may like to consider flying with Air France. Though
they will not grant tour operators seat allocations in
For operational reasons it is not possible to pre-book single rooms before departure on this tour. However, during the tour it may be possible to organise a single Join Libreville on Wednesday (day 1) advance, subject to availability we may be able to
‘joining instructions’ voucher will be
room upon check-in at some of the accommodation used, subject to availability at the time and payment of any additional costs. End Libreville on Friday (day 10) book you Air France seats, (flight times are very
forwarded to you giving details of our joining similar). Please enquire at time of booking with our
EXPLORE ACCOMMODATION RATINGS : The following key is intended as a guide to the type of accommodation listed for each night stop. hotel and where to rendezvous with the Tour Clients booked on ‘Land Only’ arrangements Reservations team.
We stress that standards may vary and reserve the right to make changes as necessary without warning.
Leader. NB You must bring a copy of your should make their own way to the joining
Hotels / Pensions / Lodges Local Style Accommodation Camping – under canvas or bivouac hotel in Libreville. Please refer to separate
insurance policy with you to show to the
H+ : Usually twin bedded rooms, normally with L+ : Usually twin bedded rooms, may be some C+ : Designated campsite, usually with fixed WC/ tour leader at the start of the tour. ‘Joining Instructions’ for time of rendezvous
private facilities. Local grading 2/3/4 star. 3-4 bedded. Normally shared facilities. shower. Possibly with fixed pre-erected tents.
NB The joining information is occasionally with tour leader.
H : Usually twin bedded rooms, sometimes 3-4 L : Could be twin bedded but more usually multiple C : Natural/Rough/Wild/Bush Camp. Limited or
bedded rooms may have to be used. Normally share or dorm style, sometimes mixed sex, no facilities. Temporary WC. Usually need to pitch
subject to change and must be checked with
with shared facilities. Local grading 1/2/3 star. sleeping arrangements. Normally shared facilities. own tents. your agent immediately prior to departure.
4 To book please call 0870 333 4001 Fax 01252 760 001 or visit www.explore.co.uk To book please call 0870 333 4001 Fax 01252 760 001 or visit www.explore.co.uk 1
April until mid-August is the time to see duiker. Many tracks criss-cross the savannah Where to Exchange: Banks or ‘Forex’
family groups, but from November until and occasionally pass through forest, offices in main towns/cities.
March the bai becomes the preserve of the providing an opportunity to spot troops of ATM Availability: None.
solitaire gorillas. There may also be the primates and abundant birdlife. If we’re lucky Credit Card Acceptance: Credit cards are
opportunity to enjoy an optional night visit we may even see one of Central Africa’s of limited use.
to the platform. Sightings of gorillas cannot most colourful mammals – the Mandrill Travellers Cheques: Impractical.
be guaranteed as they depend on many baboon. In the evening of our second day we
factors, such as micro-climate patterns and take a train back to Libreville. Overnight
Meal plan
Local Food and Drink: Meals other than
the growth cycle of certain types of fruit. hotel with breakfast. H+.
those included in the itinerary are paid for
Western lowland gorillas are the smallest
Day 10. Friday. In Libreville; tour ends separately by the traveller. You should
and most abundant race of gorillas and live
Founded in 1849 by freed slaves, Libreville calculate for buying 2 lunches and 2
in the lowland rainforests of several western
– the capital of Gabon – is one of Africa’s dinners. Examples of comparative costs are
Central African countries. Their coats are
safest cities. Blessed with a beautiful long provided below:
short and sparse compared to their
Atlantic beach, shaded with coconut palms,
mountain cousins, whilst mature males
the city offers several interesting UK Gabon
known as ‘silverbacks’ have a large, almost
sightseeing possibilities. Today we have a Coffee/Tea £1.20 £1.00
white saddle, which covers the rump and
free day for personal exploration before this Soft Drink 0.80 1.50
thighs. Western lowlands live in small
evening’s return flight to London. You may Bottle of Water 0.80 2.00
groups averaging five members led by a
like to make an optional visit to the Artisan Bottle of Beer 2.50 2.00
single dominant male. Fruit is much more
Market in the central business area of the 2 Course Meal* 10.00 5.00
significant to the diets of western lowland
city or perhaps admire the exquisitely 3 Course Meal** 18.00 12.00
gorillas than for mountain gorillas. Gentle
carved mahogany pillars of L’Eglise Saint- *Cheap local fare in a small cafe or
giants and vegetarians, they are normally
Michel. There is also the opportunity to take restaurant.
peaceful unless provoked.
a trip to Ekwata Beach, with its spectacular **Typical food in a simple, reasonably
Day 7. To Ivindo; train to Lopé white sands, watersports and forest walks. comfortable mid-range restaurant.
This morning we have one last chance to
visit the bai then, after lunch, we walk and
Tipping
drive to the train station in Ivindo. We will Personal expenses Local Staff: Although entirely voluntary,
You’ll also need some extra money to tipping is a recognized part of life in this
take dinner in Ivindo before boarding the
cover meals not included in the tour price, region of the world. Some local staff look to
night train to Lopé in the early hours of the
optional sightseeing, airport taxes, members of the group for personal
following morning. Boarding the ‘Trans-
souvenirs and items of a personal nature recognition of particular services provided.
Gabon Express’ train for the 4 hour journey
such as laundry. Accordingly you should allow approx. 25
into the heart of Gabon, we should arrive in
euros for gratuities for local staff.
to Lopé Wildlife Reserve in the early hours Local payment
Pensive chimp Tour Leader: At your discretion you might
(some delays can be expected!). Upon Payable in EUROS CASH (not Travellers also consider tipping your tour leader in
arrival at Lopé village we’ll make a short Cheques) to Explore tour leader at the start
Walking and fitness: equatorial rain forest we head deep into the guidelines and do not overload yourself.
transfer to our lodge-style hotel and wood
appreciation of the efficiency and service
This is not a walking or trekking tour, but on heart of the Ivindo National Park, leaving Hard though the walking is, it does at least of the tour in Libreville. you receive. As a broad rule of thumb we
cabins. Lopé is a vast area of open
the other hand you will need to be civilization behind as we cruise past primary offer an excellent opportunity for wildlife Foreign Exchange recommend around £2 per day, although we
savannah and dense rainforest. Covering
moderately fit to reach Langoué Bai on foot forest. Some three hours of cruising will spotting and there is every chance that we Local Currency: Communauté Financiaire stress this is a guideline only.
some 5,360 square kilometers it is home to
(3 hours hard walk) and to enjoy other walks bring us to Kangou camp, our home for the should see some evidence of the abundant Africaine (CFA Franc).
more than 1,500 species of plants, 60
during the trip. Some clients may find the next couple of days, set amidst the pristine bird population, not to mention monkeys, Recommended Currency: It is advisable to
different species of mammals and well over
walking strenuous, as you will be walking up jungle of this largely uninhabited wilderness. elephants and buffalo. Arriving in camp this take your spending money in EUROS CASH.
half of the 680 species of Gabon’s bird
and down small hills on some slippery forest 2 nights camp with all meals. L. afternoon there will be time to rest up, or Avoid taking travellers cheques as queues
population. It is also a major research
trails, in very hot and humid conditions. perhaps take a short walk around the may be long and time short in Libreville at
Day 2. Exploring Kangou falls by pirogue centre for the study of mandrills and
camp, enjoying the novelty of a truly the start of the tour.
and on foot western lowland gorillas, which number
untouched rain forest. Bai is the pigmy word
Land Only Itinerary Ivindo National Park encompasses a vast between 3,000-5,000 in the reserve.
for a forest clearing and Langoué is just
Note: Gabon is at the formative stage of area of unsurpassed beauty. It includes 2 nights hotel with all meals. H+ Silverback Odzala
that, a small oasis in this primary
developing an infrastructure for tourism. The Ipassa Reserve, one of Africa’s first areas
wilderness, whose mineral rich waters tend Days 8 & 9. In Lopé; game drives; train
few roads that exist are often in a very poor designated for protection and the equally
to attract a number of animals to its centre, to Libreville
state of repair. As local conditions in this stunning Langoué Bai, indeed the entire
in particular elephants. Our camp is located Our lodge is set in an awe-inspiring location
part of Africa are often unpredictable, you Ivindo Basin is a paradise of flora and
a short distance from the bai. 4 nights high on the southern bank of Gabon’s
may find that it is necessary to gain or lose fauna, with primates, elephants and more
camp with all meals. C. principal river, the Ogooué. With a backdrop
a day in a particular location – trails may be than 430 species of birds on record. One of
of tropical rainforest and savannah-covered
washed out, tracks may be blocked due to the main highlights of the park, apart from Days 4 to 6. At Langoué Bai;
hills the grounds attract plenty of birdlife,
fallen trees – so you need a lot of patience its very isolation, are the Kongou and wildlife viewing
whilst monkeys are often spotted in the
and a sense of humour. Take this in your Minggouli waterfalls, a dramatic series of During the next three days we have the
riverside tree tops. Following a morning at
stride and travel in West Africa becomes channels and tributaries that plunge unique opportunity of exploring an extensive
leisure we plan to visit a site of ancient rock
one of the most memorable and rewarding dramatically off a forested escarpment. network of rainforest trails with expert
engravings in the afternoon. After an exciting
of life’s experiences. Facilities in our Today we visit the waterfalls area by pirogue trackers. There is the possibility of seeing
boat ride 14km downstream on the Ogooué,
rainforest accommodation are limited (eg. and on foot, with the possibility of seeing gorillas, chimpanzees, black colobus, grey-
we’ll spend time on foot following a trail
water is pumped from nearby streams), as some of the less elusive mammals along cheeked mangabey, mandrills, mustached
linking several clusters of engraved
one would expect in a developing and the river’s edge. Later we will return to monkeys, crowned monkeys, sun-tailed
boulders. These engravings provide some of
isolated area. camp for our final night here. monkeys and putty-nosed monkeys. It is
the oldest traces of human settlement in
also common to encounter large mammals
Day 1. Wednesday. Join tour Libreville; fly Day 3. To Langoué by 4WD, pirogue and Central Africa and date from the Iron Age
such as forest elephants and bush pigs or
to Makokou, pirogue to Kongou on foot (around 500BC). They provide a remarkable
to catch a glimpse of duikers during our
Landing in Libreville this morning we This morning we travel by pirogue and on record of life amongst the ancient
walks. One of our main objectives, though,
transfer to the airport hotel where we have foot to our next rendezvous point. We then inhabitants of these lands, with
is to hopefully locate and watch gorillas.
day rooms booked. We will have the chance have an hour and a half’s drive and a representations of animals, weapons and
Early on our first morning we will walk out to
to freshen up and relax from the overnight further three hours of hard walking before the distinctive concentric circles of Bantu
platform hides, from where we can watch
flight, before we take a midday flight to arriving at Langoué research camp, deep design. Our second day in Lopé we’ll make a
the enfolding drama before us. Generally
Makokou, where we will be met and within the Ivindo Basin. Everyone will be game drive out into the scenic savannah
there is a 90% chance of seeing elephants
transferred by motorized pirogue down the expected to carry their own bags, so it is plains of northern Lopé Wildlife Reserve in
and 60% of seeing gorillas, although we
Ivindo River. Travelling through dense important that you follow the packing search of forest elephant, buffalo and
cannot obviously guarantee this. Usually
2 To book please call 0870 333 4001 Fax 01252 760 001 or visit www.explore.co.uk To book please call 0870 333 4001 Fax 01252 760 001 or visit www.explore.co.uk 3
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