Destinations / The Best Places for a Safari in Africa / Loango National Park, Gabon
Loango National Park, Gabon
Loango National Park in Gabon is perhaps the least well-known nature reserve on this list, but the acquisition of popularity among a wide range of tourists is only a matter of time. Loango is the only place in Africa where you can see whales, chimps, gorillas and elephants in the park. In Loango you can enjoy the contemplation of nature on the shores of the ocean, savannah, swamp and forest.
Loango National Park is perhaps the most famous national park in Gabon. It is located directly on the Atlantic coast and it is a combination of almost all natural zones: the equatorial forests, savannas, swamps, mangroves and coastal lagoons in fact. The landscape of the park is beautiful enough to Loango is sometimes called the "last paradise on earth" – it is also justified because there is nowhere as great variety of fauna. Forest elephants, hippos, buffalo, wild pigs and other animals go straight to the beach and swim in the ocean waves, doing a kind of surfing, where they are watching and admiring this unusual picture of tourists. Loango is also home to many monkeys, including a meeting in Africa far from universally chimpanzees and gorillas, the abundance of birds that is especially attractive for nature lovers, the whales ,they can be seen off the coast between mid-July to mid September. In addition, the park offers excellent opportunities for ocean fishing. The Loango National Park is located to the west of Gabon. This conservation area was established in 2002 to protect the diverse ecosystems of coastal lagoons Iguéla. The present borders of Loango National Park, lies 1,550 km ² typical of West African natural environment. On one side of the park is Lagoon Nkomi and on the other - Ndogo. Originally, the conservation area near Loango appeared in 1956. Only in 2002 was founded the National Park here, the fact that 2002 as a whole was revised by the entire list of protected areas in Gabon. The increase in protected areas of the country by all means contributed to the president of Gabon, Omar Bongo Ondimba. As a result, the boundaries of newly minted 13 parks of Gabon were fenced about 10% of the total land area.
Loango National Park is one of the most beautiful protected areas in the country - a truly picturesque area to make a few indigenous settlements. Loango National Park to a sufficient degree was investigated by the naturalist Mike Feyom. The focus of his research as a scientist put it on the abundance of hippos in the park. These majestic African animals are distributed throughout the park, where are the following natural systems: Savannah, clean beaches, forests and mangroves. Here, find your home and other African mammals, such as: elephant, buffalo, gorillas, leopards. The peculiarity of the local fauna are the whales representing fairly plentiful in the waters of Loango National Park. Also here is a great number of dolphins and killer whales. Fish in the park are tarpon and other species preferring the sea water. The Atlantic tarpon is a surprisingly large fish, its length may reach 2.4 m, and all about 150 pounds or more. These fish can live for up to 15 years, but only so long the largest specimens live, most often, they die as early as 9 years old. Like size, high fecundity, and the Atlantic tarpon - up to 12.2 million ikrinok. The tarpon off the coast is often in the mouths of rivers, for it is suitable as a brackish, still fresh water. Tarpons often resides in a very strange state: they roll onto the water surface - this operation helps you quickly locate the fish. But the tarpon is known as a real fighter, it is very difficult to pull out of the water, even if he is already sitting on the hook. Yes, and the flesh is no different richness of taste. In general, the tarpon is a detachment of predators, their sustenance is the sword-fish, the sea catfish, the mullet, etc.
Opportunities for leisure activities:
- Hiking in the jungle
- Excursions in motorboats
- Kayaking
- Hiking for a few days to the Petit Loango (for prepared travelers and people in good physical shape)
- Flights to Petit Loango overnight on the beach
- Riding a bike to Tassi Savannah Camp along the coast.
Maps of Loango National Park, Gabon
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If you are looking for the best safari where you are almost guaranteed to see the "big five" most popular animals (big five most popular types of animals: lions, leopards, buffaloes, rhinos and elephants), then you cannot be wrong if you choose these places.
If you plan to go on a safari in Africa, we know that there are many aspects that you need to take note: for example, what animals you want to look at, what is the best time to go and do, what type of safari you prefer with all the amenities , camping, traveling, economy-camp - there are plenty to choose from.
The first thing you need to decide on what animal you want to watch.
Mammals, birds, reptiles or The Big Five most popular animals are: lions, leopards, buffaloes, rhinos and elephants.
If you want to see these animals during a trip, then you should go to Masai Mara, Kenya, Kruger National Park, South Africa or Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
If you're interested to see gorillas, we would advise you to go to Rwanda, Uganda and Gabon.
If you work inspired by Jane Goodall and prefer to see chimpanzees, then you certainly need to visit Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania.
Enough to see a lot of elephants, a better place than the Okavango Delta, Botswana is not found.
To see the king of beasts- the lions, go to the Serengeti and protected areas Ngor, Ngorongo Conservation Area, South Africa - this is the best place to admire the lions.
In southern Africa, it is deserved to be mentioned South Luangwa National Park, as it is full of lions that live there more freely than in other places, equipped for tourists.
To see the black rhino is not easy, but still you have a chance to see him briefly in the Etosha National Park, Kruger National Park and in the Chobe National Park.
The huge number of hippos and crocodiles are in lakes and rivers of east and southern Africa.
More than anything I've seen them in a canoe safari in the Zambezi River, which flows between Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania and the Liwonde National Park in Malawi, also offer good conditions to observe hippos and crocodiles, but beware, these animals are extremely dangerous.
If the bird-watching is your passion, then you will be pleased to know that in Eastern and Southern Africa are available bird safari to view birds.
You must decide for yourself how close you want to get to the wildlife in Africa.
If you do not like watching the wildlife out of the SUV, then do not despair - there are plenty of alternative methods.
Safari on elephants The best offer on the back of an elephant safari is of Abu Camp in the Okavango Delta, Botswana.
Also, several of these trips are available in Zimbabwe, but throughout the safari.
Since elephants usually make their way to the desert, you may not much be watching, but the impression received from the fact that you are sitting high up on this huge beast, is definitely worth it.
Safari on foot If you're in good shape and love the thrill, then go on a safari on foot.
Guides will tell you many interesting things while walking, but because you are on your feet, you can do well close to the species, smells and sounds of African nature.
Safari on a mountain bike A great option for cycling for enthusiasts, this safari will make you experience the excitement, to show their flexibility! Canoe Safari Swimming along the Zambezi river among hippos and crocodiles, camping under the stars to the sounds of lions roaring in the night, crossing the river the spectacle of elephants - that's what a safari in a canoe.
It's magical.
Balloon Safaris It is rather expensive, but once in life itself, you can afford.
It's an unforgettable experience.
Safari on the ball offers the largest national parks.
The best place for it is in Serengeti Plains, where you can watch from the height the annual migration of wildebeest.
Passengers are treated to traditional hot air balloon with champagne.
Safari on a camel The advantage of traveling on a camel is that your guides are likely to be Aboriginal.
It's not so attracting like on a horse, but is funny and romantic.
Safari on horseback You can arrange the race for the zebras and antelopes! It is memorable, but you have to be completely healthy and have a great experience rider to take advantage of this safari.
Safari - Hunt If you want to go to Africa, not only to film by camera, but to use the gun to do a lot of options.
You will be able to bring the trophy to your living room.
Having selected the type of safari you're interested in, the next step is the selection of service levels in the safari .
From the list of the categories below, you can pick up a luxury, the usual safari, or something in between.
Traditional (mobile) safari tent The mobile camp moves with you from one location to another.
The camp is usually broken down for you in advance and is convenient of the level that you have chosen.
As a rule, in the camp you will have hot water shower, gourmet food and lots of servants, ready to meet your needs.
If you prefer to follow in the footsteps of Hemingway, this type of safari is for you.
Mobile safari is nice because you can get into more remote areas the African savannah.
Recommendations : Nomad Safari Guides : Tentage safari in Tanzania.
Abercrombie & Kent : Try their famous tour of Kenya Hemingway Safari.
Outback Africa : general camping safari.
Safari tours As a rule, you'll travel on a group of SUVs or pickup.
The itinerary of the safari is drawn up in every single day, you'll know it in advance.
It includes food, accommodation, leisure pastime.
There will be a guide who will help you throughout the safari and negotiate various issues.
Safari tours are a wonderful thing if you do not want too much difficulty during the trip.
The guides are usually well chosen, well-informed, which makes it possible to travel to more remote areas of Africa.
Recommendations : Taga Safari : Safari offers excellent tours in Malawi.
Explore Tanzania : A good example of a seven-day safari tours at reasonable prices.
Botswana Explorer : Chic guided tour that includes a walk to the best parks in Botswana and Victoria Falls at night.
Safari Package (a complete solution for safari) This species is similar to the safari tours, tour package offers you a definite route with accommodation and meals, but you are not traveling in a group.
All of your reservation will be made for you, so you do not have to worry about anything, in all other aspects you are the independent traveler.
Safari Package is a good option for those who choose to go to Africa for the first time, and for those who are limited financially, as these tours often cost little cheaper than others.
Recommendations : Kenya Discovery Tour: an eight-round package of top-notch Kenyan wildlife parks.
Northern Tanzania: a two-week tour of national parks in Tanzania and Mount Kilimanjaro.
The Luangwa Explorer Safari: the best tour in the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia, includes foot safari.
Independent safari by car If you actually choose to plan your trip, take a car and drive on the reserve, which you will choose! Not bad, of course, pre-study, and perhaps to copy an existing route that you like.
Parks usually are fairly remote places, so bring your extra supplies of food, water and fuel.
It is necessary to use the services of a tour agency or a tour operator to book a room and a car in advance.
Independent safaris are suitable for South Africa, Botswana and Namibia, but for countries like Zambia and Malawi, where infrastructure is poorly developed , a lack of gas stations and roads, an independent safari cannot be called a good choice.
Of course, if you do not find a fun ride, consisting of a detour on the road potholes the size of a truck, people, goats and dogs.
Otherwise, it is better to travel in these countries buying the tour.
Recommendations : Wildlife Africa: tours by car in South Africa.
Namibian Org.
: Enjoy Namibia at a time when you want it and at a pace which you can.
Safari Drive Car cover safari tours in several African countries, particularly in Kenya.
Safari with the arrival on site For absolute convenience, the operator of a charter flight can throw you right in the park.
These kinds of safaris allow you to visit the reservation and parks, which are not accessible by road offering a trip into the wild life as it once was.
Moving by air also saves time that can be spent on land and allows you to not spend a moment in vain and you can enjoy views of wildlife.
Recommendations : South Africa Fly-in safaris: a huge number of options available, including the Kruger National Park.
Skeleton Coast, Namibia: Experience the shipwreck in the desert, it's a little scary, but exciting at the same time.
On this tour you will not see much wildlife around.
Botswana Fly-in safaris: A good way to quickly move and visit some of the best parks, accessible only by air.
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