Gabon: Gorilla, Mandrill & Forest Birds
This time of year is perfect for near-guaranteed encounters with troops of mighty Western Lowland Gorilla and the stunning Mandrill. We also expect to see Chimpanzee, plus many other exciting primates and mammals as we explore one of the wildest countries on the planet. Birding in the huge tracts of forest will see us search for lots of rare Congo Basin endemics, many of which are much easier to see at this time of year compared to the usual October dates.
Next Dates
1 June - 14 June 2026 (14 days)
Leaders:
Joachim Bertrands
Group Size Limit:
7
Single Room Supplement: $
1000 USD
Deposit: $
750 USD
Price: $
TBD
Add a Title
Leaders:
Joachim Bertrands
Group Size Limit:
Add a Title
Single Room Supplement: $
TBD
Deposit: $
TBD
Price: $
TBD
Add a Title
Our tour cost includes all permits for primate tracking.
Accommodation:
Mostly moderately comfortable hotels and lodges. Basic camp in the forest while doing gorilla tracking.
Walking difficulty:
Moderate walking, with some long multi-hour treks in the forest while tracking primates.
Tour cost includes:
All accommodation, main meals, drinking water, internal flights, overland transport, tips to local drivers and guides, travel permits, entrance fees, and guide fees.
Tour cost excludes:
Flights before and after the tour start/end, visa, travel insurance, tips to tour leaders, laundry, drinks, and other items of a personal nature.
NOTE: We are currently working through this itinerary to possibly add another site, and maximise chances for some of the best birds of the region. Full details will be published here in the coming weeks.
Day 1: The tour starts this evening with arrivals into Libreville International Airport (LBV). We will overnight nearby.
Day 2: Transit to Loango National Park for the beginning of our exciting time in the field.
Day 3-4-5: Loango National Park for Western Lowland Gorilla tracking. We should also see Red-capped Mangabey and Red River Hog. Many excellent birds can be seen here, like Vermiculated Fishing Owl and Loango Weaver.
Day 6: Transfer to Libreville.
Day 7: Transfer to Lope National Park.
Day 8-9-10-11: Lope National Park for Mandrill tracking. Here, we should also see Chimpanzee, Black Colobus, Putty-nosed Monkey, Moustached Monkey, Forest Buffalo, and Forest Elephant. We will put particular effort in for some of the rarest birds in the Congo Basin, such as Grey-necked Picathartes and many more.
Day 12: Transfer to Ipassa for our final stop on the tour.
Day 13-14-15: Birding and mammal watching at Ipassa.
Day 16: We will head back to Libreville this morning, where our tour ends in time for evening flights.