GABON

Location - Central Africa; Capital - Libreville; Population - 1.4 million; Currency - Central African CFA Franc MORE GABON

We flew from Douala to Libreville, the capital of Gabon, before heading on to Loango National Park in November 2008.

Gabon is one of several countries that uses the Central African CFA. It has parity with the West African CFA.

On the Atlantic coast close to the National Museum in Libreville

Presumably this monument symbolises the breaking free from slavery and/or colonialism - Libreville

This 19th century church stands behind the newer St Marie cathedral in Libreville

Hassan II mosque is located behind the Presidential Palace, Libreville

I went for a style from the top row (not sure which one though) - sign outside a barber's shop, Libreville

El Hadj Omar Albert-Bernard Bongo has been Gabon's president since 1967 - Libreville

Update - Omar Bongo died in June 2009. BBC announcement.

One of several modern buildings on Boulevard Triomphal, Libreville

The view from an outdoor bar in the Quartier Louis area of Libreville

A video shop in Nombakele district, Libreville

A relaxing place to stay and ideal for the airport is Hotel Tropicana. The rooms are a bit musty but it's position on the beach is perfect.

Hotel Tropicana beach, Libreville

The Atlantic ocean, Libreville

Getting to Loango National Park entailed a flight from Libreville to Port Gentil, then another to Loango

Coming in to land at Port Gentil

Clouds obscure the rainforest and lagoon below - Port Gentil to Loango

We got a superb view of Loango Lodge shortly before landing - Loango

From the sky I was looking for a mud airstrip but eventually realised we were just landing in a field, only a 5 minute drive from the lodge - Loango

Loango Lodge's bar and restaurant perches over Iguela Lagoon

Find out more at the Africa's Eden website

Alternatively you can dine out here - Loango Lodge

It's quietly lit at night - Loango Lodge

The grounds of Loango Lodge include a conference centre, small swimming pool and souvenir shop

A chameleon blends with its surrounds outside one of the Loango Lodge bungalows

Taking the 4x4's across the lagoon to Loango National Park

..While we travel in a bit more comfort.. Loango National Park

A lone buffalo in Loango National Park

Heavy cloud hangs over a windswept beach in Loango National Park

We were lucky enough to see an elephant just metres away from the beach - Loango National Park

The Atlantic ocean serves as the backdrop at Loango National Park

Close by were a herd of buffalo - Loango National Park

You'll see lots (and lots) of buffalo in Loango National Park

This tortoise was immersed in floodwater caused by a heavy downpour in the park - Loango National Park

Taking a break in the forest - Loango National Park

A millipede on an afternoon stroll - Loango National Park

Light pierces through the forest canopy - Loango National Park

Creeping (or rather squelching) up for a closer look - Loango National Park

A family in Loango National Park

Loango National Park

While we were concentrating on the elephants a chimpanzee must have ran 2-300 metres across open savannah to reach the forest.
Our guide noticed him with about 50 metres left to go.
He's the dark figure under the overhanging branch - Loango National Park

The ubiquitous buffalo - Loango National Park

On our way by boat following Iguela Lagoon to Pte Ste Catherine - Loango National Park

Centre left of this photo is the tail of a monkey. Best shot I could get! Loango National Park

Trying to get a better glimpse of them - Loango National Park

I'm not sure if this is mangrove but that's what I'm calling it - Loango National Park

A hippo checks us out while coming up for air - Loango National Park

Iguela Lagoon, on the boundary of Loango National Park

Pte Ste Catherine has a beautiful setting at the mouth of Iguela Lagoon, protected by a sand bar from the sea

Having said that, much of Pte Ste Catherine beach camp was destroyed in 2008 by a big wave.
In December 2008 it was still being reconstructed.

A flock of birds twist and turn - Pte Ste Catherine

The floating log is actually a crocodile - Pte Ste Catherine

The Gabonese coast between Omboue and Port Gentil

Website and content Copyright © 2008-2011 Mark Wilkinson. All rights reserved.

LINKS

www.legabon.org - Gabon tourist guide (plus investment, art & culture etc)

http://gabonlife.com - focusing on African news rather than Gabon specifically

www.gabonmagazine.com - 'politics, economy, tourism, culture'

www.gabontour.ga - in French only

I am not responsible for the content of external websites.