Lying on the west coast of Africa and straddling the equator, Gabon is about half the size of France with a small population of only 1,3 million. It has substantial oil and mineral reserves. These circumstances have allowed the country to maintain and conserve its pristine rain forest and rich biodiversity. Almost 75% of the country is cloaked in tropical rainforest and as the area is so sparsely populated, and the road infrastructure so limited because of difficult climatic conditions, there has been minimal pressure on the environment. Gabon's coastal strip rises to a series of plateaux until it reaches the interior where the mountains peaks at over 1500m. The major artery of Gabon, the Ogooue River, almost cuts the country in half as it passes through Franceville and Lambarene and languidly moves toward the Atlantic Ocean. At the mouth of the river is Port-Gentil, the heartbeat of Gabon's lucrative oil industry. From here the river pans out into the finger-like coastline with miles of breathtaking but almost inaccessible estuaries. In 2002, President Bongo, with the flash of a pen, signed into being 13 National Parks - before Gabon had had none! - and the total area of Gabon under protection leapt to almost 11% . Gabon has around 680 bird species with many of the central African forest species being easier to see here. These include the forest birds of prey such as Congo Serpent-eagle and Long-tailed Hawk; other species include Rosy and Black Bee-eater, Black Guineafowl, Lyre-tailed Honeyguide, African River Martin, Bates's Swift, Bates's Nightjar, Forest Swallow, Loango Weaver and the enigmatic Grey-necked Rock-fowl.

• Loango National Park protects diverse coastal habitat, including part of the 220 km² Iguéla Lagoon, the only significant example of a typical western African lagoon system that is protected within a national park. The Loango is an exceptional coastal park because of the diversity of its ecosystems.
  
  Located on the coast some 250 km to the south of Libreville, the Loango encompasses over 100 km of wild uninhabited coastline. In this magical place, elephants, hippopotamus, red forest buffalo, Sitatunga, and sometimes gorilla wander on the white sandy beaches or concentrate in the adjacent marshlands. Sette Cama Lodge is situated to the south of this park and comprises 5 wooden bungalows with private bathrooms. Loango Lodge is situated at Iguela (on the northern boundary of the park) and has 10 rooms (incl 3 suites) with air-conditioning and private bathrooms. Mammals often seen here include forest Elephant and Buffalo, Crowned Monkey, Putty-nosed Monkey, Chimpanzee and Manatee. Three species of crocodile, Nile, Slender-nosed and Dwarf, inhabit the waters in this area.
  
  
• Lope National Park is located in the centre of Gabon; it became the first protected area in Gabon in 1946. Although the terrain is mostly rain forest, to the north the park contains the last remnants of grass savannas created in Central Africa during the last Ice Age. It has a relatively dry climate compared to most other equatorial rain forests. Lopé National Park has several important primate species, especially Western Lowland Gorilla, chimpanzee, Mandrill and the endemic Sun-tailed Monkey, forest Elephants , Sitatunga, forest Buffalo and Red River Hog. The Lope Hotel is a tranquil place, its bungalows with private bathrooms and air-conditioning are surrounded by extensive lawns. The lodge overlooks the Ogooué River which tumbles over a series of rapids here. Visitors explore the Lope National Park in 4x4 open game drive vehicles and on foot. In this area the park comprises open savannah grasslands with extensive forest pockets. Deep in the forest lies Mikongo Camp, set in a small clearing in the primary forest. It comprises wooden bungalows, most with private bathroom facilities. Visitors explore the forest along a well-developed network of paths, with the assistance of trackers and guides. For birders an important bird to look for is Grey-necked Rockfowl. The Rockfowl site is a two hour walk through primary forest along a maze of narrow elephant trails before reaching any rocks of any decent size. There is always the chance of an encounter with Western Lowland Gorilla and Mandrill and Chimpanzee.
  
  
• Ivindo National Park: Langoué Bai is in the Ivindo National Park in Gabon. The bai, a pygmy word for 'forest clearing' is frequented by many species of mammals and birds. Langoué is particularly attractive to forest elephants and western lowland gorillas, both of which visit the bai regularly. Access to the bai is by train, then by road and finally on foot. The camp comprises large tents on platforms with separate showers and toilets, and a separate dining area. From camp, the bai wildlife viewing platforms are just over an hour's brisk walk. The platforms are sited in trees along the edge of the bai that facilitate wildlife viewing. Paths around Langoué pass through spectacular tropical forest with impressively large trees. Animals such as Red River Hog, monkeys, birds and occasionally gorillas and chimpanzees can sometimes be seen while walking through the forest.

• When to go: June to September is dry season (overcast skies). The rainy season (September to May) is best for birding.
• Health: Malaria is present. Yellow fever vaccination certificate is essential. Hepatitis A and B injections recommended. Drink only bottled water or take water purification tablets. Travel insurance is essential.
• Getting there: Twice weekly flights to Libreville with SAA.
• Visas: All visitors except South African passport holders require visas.
• Currency: Communaute Financiaire Africaine (CFA) - formerly Colonies Francaise d'Afrique (CFA). Notes are in denominations of CFA 10000; 5000; 2000; 1000; 500. Coins are in circulation too. Take Euros in cash or traveller's cheques for emergencies.
• What to pack: No formal clothes are needed, we recommend that you keep your luggage down to the basics. Long-sleeve shirts are advisable, being useful to help keep any mosquitoes from biting. For ease of carrying soft bags or a medium sized suitcase is preferable. In the summer, clothing of a casual nature, preferably lightweight; cotton shirts, pants, dresses, skirts and shorts are most practical while on safari (preferably khaki, tan or neutral colours). Long pants (and socks) should be worn at night to avoid contact with mosquitoes. While in places shorts are fine, in the damp forests you may prefer to cover-up more (trousers) as they help to ward off mosquitoes and any other biting insects. It is essential to have shoes/lightweight boots with a good gripping sole.
• Time zone: GMT +1 hour
• Power supply: Mostly 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are generally 2-pin (as in France). Do not rely on being able to recharge batteries at all overnight stops, eg Langoue Bai. Lope is OK; Sette Cama is limited to hours when generator operating.
• Language: The lingua franca is French. There are about 40 local dialects that are also spoken. English is not widely spoken.
• Customs allowance: 500 cigarettes and 1 litre of alcohol.
• Luggage allowance: 20 kg & 1 item of hand luggage.
• Departure tax: Usually included in airtickets.
• Recommended reading: Guide to Gabon, Sophie Warne, Bradt Publications