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Gabon as a safari destination?

Author: John Spence

There is no doubt that Gabon has exciting potential as a specialist safari destination. The fact that 13 national parks have been created in the last five years is an extremely positive move.

The wildlife is plentiful, although as PJ describes above it can be difficult to spot. You do see great trees, fungi, insects, frogs and flowers all the time. The place is alive with primates but clear viewings are unusual, not the norm. Gabon also felt very safe – you can wander around a city, catch a cab or train and not feel at all threatened – something not often found of Africa, especially its cities.

However with my tour operator hat on, I have to urge caution. The rainforest is not for everybody. Walking in the heat and humidity is uncomfortable and the rewards can seem slim compared to the efforts put in. The camps on average charge around £200 per person per night which is not dissimilar to some in East and Southern Africa, yet the standards I encountered were pretty erratic. One day food would be great, the next terrible. It’s difficult keeping clothes dry and damp bedding is not something I particularly enjoy. Travel arrangements were somewhat unpredictable and guiding was a bit hit and miss.

To sum up, Gabon feels safe, different, undiscovered, un-conventional and with so many unique things to see and do it will thrill the hardened traveller. I found planning the trip exciting and frustrating. Exploring the country was both rewarding and challenging. On returning to the UK, I am so pleased to have seen some of this rare, unspoilt, weird and wonderful ecosystem.

I think that for the time being the only way Aardvark would be happy sending clients to Gabon would be as part of an escorted trip. Whilst I was there I met Ruth Starkey, an immensely experienced and knowledgeable English conservation researcher. She is currently here in the UK and we are in the early stages of discussing the possibility of her leading trips to Gabon for us. She and I plan to do a joint talk on Gabon towards the end of May. If you would like further information on this, please let me know.

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