Into the Wild on a African Safari in Gabon

Gabon doesn’t usually show up at the top of most safari bucket lists, but that’s exactly why I went. I wanted something different—raw, wild, and off the grid. Planning a safari in Gabon turned out to be a mix of logistics, lucky timing, and a willingness to trade luxury for solitude. If you’re curious about what an unfiltered, adventure-heavy African safari looks like, Gabon delivers in spades.

Compared to more developed safari destinations like Kruger in South Africa or Tanzania’s Serengeti, Gabon offers a very different vibe. It’s lush, quiet, and often humid. You won’t find rows of safari vehicles here. In fact, on some days in Loango National Park, I felt like I had the whole ecosystem to myself.

That’s both a gift and a challenge…

Key Points

• Go with a small, experienced operator who has a presence in Gabon—they’ll handle permits, transport, and help navigate the remote terrain.
• Expect limited infrastructure and pack like you’re heading into the jungle (because you are). Bring lightweight, breathable clothes and strong insect repellent.
• Aim for the dry season (June to September) if you want better wildlife visibility and easier access to remote areas.

Planning a Safari in Gabon

If you’re just starting your planning, here are some practical tips I wish I had up front:

• Finding a tour operator: I didn’t find many listings online, so I looked through travel forums, emailed a few eco-lodges directly (including Loango Lodge), and asked for referrals. Word of mouth and small networks go a long way in Gabon.
• Vaccines and health: Yellow fever vaccination is required to enter Gabon, and I took malaria prophylaxis throughout the trip. I also brought a basic first-aid kit with oral rehydration salts, antibiotics, and anti-nausea meds—helpful given how remote the parks are.
• Travel insurance: I wouldn’t go without it. Delays and changes are common, and medical evacuation would be expensive if anything happened far from Libreville.
• Entry and visas: I needed a tourist visa in advance. The process was smoother through an agency that helped with the paperwork, but be sure to check for updates well before your trip.

What to Pack for a Safari in Gabon

You’re heading into humid rainforest and wet savanna, so packing well matters. Here’s what helped me most:

• Lightweight, breathable clothing in neutral tones
• Long sleeves and pants for bugs and sun
• A good waterproof jacket
• Quick-dry socks and durable shoes or hiking boots
• DEET-based insect repellent and anti-itch cream
• A power bank and extra camera batteries
• Dry bags or ziplocks to protect electronics
• Headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries
• French phrasebook or offline translator app

My 8-Day Itinerary (Example)

To give you a rough idea of pacing, here’s what my trip looked like:

• Day 1: Arrive in Libreville
• Day 2: Domestic flight to Port-Gentil, boat transfer to Loango Lodge
• Day 3-6: Game drives, boat safaris, gorilla tracking attempt, and downtime to relax
• Day 7: Return trip to Libreville
• Day 8: Fly home

You could stretch it longer with time in other national parks like Ivindo or Pongara if you're feeling ambitious.

Communication Tips

French is essential. I relied on my limited French from high school, Google Translate offline mode constantly, especially for reading menus or asking basic questions. A phrasebook or translation app is a must if you don’t speak the language. Most guides spoke some English, but hotel and transport staff usually didn’t.

Pro tip: Download offline maps, booking details, and documents in advance. Cell signal was spotty and Wi-Fi wasn’t always reliable.

Where I Went: Loango National Park

Loango National Park is the crown jewel of Gabon’s safari scene. It’s one of the few places on Earth where dense rainforest spills right onto untouched beaches, and wildlife freely crosses between the two. Forest elephants leave footprints in the sand, red river hogs trot through the surf, and if you’re lucky, you might actually spot hippos catching waves—yes, they really surf. I didn’t believe it until I saw it with my own eyes.

We split our time between boat safaris through tangled mangrove channels and inland game drives on muddy trails that required serious 4×4 skills. The boat rides were quiet and peaceful, with incredible birdlife and the occasional flash of a crocodile slipping off the bank. The game drives, on the other hand, were full of anticipation. We had to work harder for sightings here than in places like the Serengeti, but when something appeared—like a sitatunga half-hidden in the reeds or a buffalo crossing the path—it felt like we’d earned it.

Loango isn’t an easy safari, but that’s what makes it unforgettable. If you’ve done the classic game reserves and want something immersive, untamed, and totally different, this is the place to go.

What Makes a Safari in Gabon Different

The main difference? It feels like true exploration. There are no traffic jams of safari jeeps, no gourmet bush breakfasts with white tablecloths. Instead, you get dense forests, sprawling lagoons, and a chance to see animals that don’t appear on every postcard.

If you’re used to all-inclusive African safari vacations, be ready to rough it a bit. Most accommodations are simple and focused on sustainability. The food is good, but the highlight is being totally immersed in nature.

Also, be ready for surprises. On my second morning, we were supposed to go trekking for gorillas, but a downpour made the trail impassable. Flexibility is key.

Budgeting for a Gabon Safari

It’s not cheap, but it’s also not outrageously expensive compared to other safaris. I spent about $4,200 total for an 8-day trip, which included my internal flights, park fees, guide, food, and lodging. You can get a full breakdown of typical costs in my post on how much safaris cost.

There aren’t many operators to choose from, which limits your ability to shop around. But for what you get—a front-row seat to pristine wildlife and zero crowds—it felt worth it.

What Wildlife Can You See in Gabon?

The species list is incredible, especially if you like the more obscure animals that don’t show up on every safari brochure. Gabon is a hotspot for:

• Forest elephants
• Lowland gorillas
• Central chimpanzees
• Red river hogs
• Sitatungas
• African forest buffalo
• Crocodiles and manatees
• Surfing hippos (still one of the weirdest and coolest things I’ve seen)

Chimpanzees live in many of Gabon’s national parks, but sightings are rare and unpredictable due to the dense forest and their shy nature. Your best bet is to ask your guide about recent activity or focus time in areas like Ivindo or Moukalaba-Doudou where researchers sometimes track them.

Spotting these animals takes patience and flexibility. Here are a few tips that helped me:

• Bring binoculars: Many species are more reclusive than what you’d see on a savanna safari, and you’ll often be scanning thick forest or mangrove edges.
• Use a silent camera: Forest elephants and red river hogs are especially skittish. A quiet shutter makes a huge difference.
• Book longer stays: You won’t see all the animals in one or two days. Give yourself time to explore both inland and coastal areas.
• Ask guides to listen for signs: Cracks in branches, rustling foliage, or fresh tracks often give away the presence of gorillas or buffalo.

You can find a full African safari animals list here.

Is It Safe to Travel in Gabon?

Overall, yes. I found Gabon to be peaceful and welcoming. That said, it’s important to go with a guide, especially when moving between remote areas. The roads aren’t always well-maintained, and English isn’t widely spoken, so having local help goes a long way.

Gabon isn't on the list of safest countries in Africa to visit, but it also doesn't show up much in travel warnings. Most risks are related to infrastructure and logistics, not violent crime.

How It Compares to Other Safaris

If you’re trying to decide where to go, here are a few comparisons:

• South Africa is way more developed, with better roads, more luxury options, and easier self-drive safaris.
• Zambia and Zimbabwe offer some of the best walking safaris.
• Uganda and Rwanda are better for gorilla tracking.
• Mozambique and Malawi are up-and-coming but still more accessible than Gabon.
• Republic of Congo is probably the closest comparison in terms of jungle experience.

You can also browse the full list of best places to go on safari in Africa if you’re still deciding.