Filming Gorillas in Gabon: Exclusive Gorilla Trekking in Africa
Filming Gorillas in Gabon, In Gabon, one gorilla family resides in Loango National Park, while another inhabits Moukalaba Doudou National Park, located 600 kilometers south of the city of Libreville. It safeguards the natural habitats of beach, woodland, savanna, and wetlands surrounding the Iguela Lagoon. The park is home to mammals like as forest elephants, lowland gorillas, buffalo, leopards, and hippopotamuses. Significant pods of humpback whales, orcas, and dolphins traverse the offshore waters. Notable avian species include the Loango weaver and the African river martin.
Loango National Park is renowned for its beach-grazing forest elephants and surfing hippos that inhabit its untamed coastline. The park also features diverse landscapes, including mangrove forests, reflective waterways, dotted tidal lagoons, and extensive savannahs—ideal settings for exhilarating wildlife observation. Extensive populations of forest elephants, forest buffalo, monkeys, chimpanzees, red river hogs, hippopotamuses, sitatungas, duikers, crocodiles, and numerous avian species traverse the terrain. During a gorilla walk, you will receive a stunning introduction to a troop of habituated western lowland gorillas that flourish in one of the world’s most pristine primate ecosystems.
What is the best time for filming gorillas in Gabon?
Loango National Park experiences different dry seasons from December to January and May to September, as well as rainy seasons from February to April and October to December. Each season reveals its unique enchantment, offering several opportunities to encounter nature directly.
November to March: The onset of nesting turtles and hatchlings. November to April: Elephants and hippos frequent the beaches; July to September: Migratory whales appear during the mating season; November to April: Optimal period for recreational fishing; March to May: Ideal for observing the Atananga gorillas; September to June: Optimal period for observing wildlife in the northern region of the park during the rainy season. From June to September, the species migrate to the southern portion of the park during the dry season.
The influx of migratory whales and dolphins peaks from mid-July to mid-September. Experience a day on a chartered vessel observing playful bottlenose dolphins or humpback whales from any perspective—particularly when they breach at significant altitudes or swim around or beneath your boat. Between October and February, you may venture out at night to observe the largest congregation of leatherback sea turtles nesting on Loango’s beach. During the migratory season, hundreds of olive ridley and hawksbill sea turtles also accompany them. The nocturnal excursions are led by eco-guides who protect the turtles and their hatchlings during this remarkable process.
Filming Locations in Loango National Park
Maritime excursions
A canal traverses Loango National Park, with a vast lagoon adorned with numerous islets, each inviting exploration. From any undulating area along the stream, one may observe a plethora of lively fauna on the banks, including various species of monkeys and numerous uncommon avian species such as rosy bee-eaters, quail finches, Loango weavers, and Congo River martins. Upon traversing Iguela lagoon, one may encounter remarkable anecdotes of sport fishing, encompassing the park’s catch-and-release initiative and notable record catches of barracuda and tarpon. Occasionally, a shark.
However, for several visitors, the enduring tradition involves observing wading hippopotamuses, forest elephants, forest buffalo, and, if one is adventurous, three distinct types of crocodiles.
Engage in conservation initiatives
Our park activities prominently feature a range of conservation programs designed for guests. The Max Planck Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology spearheads the Loango Gorilla Project in collaboration with the Agence Nationale Des Parcs Nationaux Du Gabon (ANPN). Our eco-tourism trip features an informative lecture at the research center and a visit to the Atananga troop, a family of protected western lowland gorillas, which is the first to be habituated in Loango.
To ensure minimal disturbance, visitation is limited to four times per week, and individuals must be in excellent health and wear a mask. A maximum of four guests may visit the troop simultaneously.
Fishing safari
Few locations provide exceptional and unique sport fishing opportunities with a diverse array of catches that might populate a whole ocean. Located about 10 minutes from Loango Camps is the juncture where the estuary discharges into the ocean — an exceptional fishing locale that harbors some of the largest game fish globally, including colossal barracuda and cubera. To capture the fish, one must be prepared to cast off prior to sunrise.
Guests at Loango Camp get exclusive access to the park’s smaller lagoons and exceptional fly-fishing opportunities. Our catch-and-release packages comprise lodging, fly and tackle equipment, a fishing guide, a fishing permit, and extended overnight and multi-day safaris at any of our additional satellite camps within Loango’s safari circuit.
Wildlife expeditions
Engage in days of trekking through a varied terrain of interconnecting savannah, rainforest, and deep mangrove swamps, where you will encounter forest elephants, chimpanzees, forest buffalo, red river hogs, various primates, birds, and sitatunga.
Gorilla trekking in Loango National Park.
A notable highlight of your visit to Loango National Park is a gorilla hike, where you will observe a troop of habituated gorillas in their native forest habitat, as nature intended. You will traverse deep jungle and navigate by boat or pirogue across the wetlands. Frequently necessitates extended treks. Guests aged 65 and above must present a valid medical certificate verifying their physical health.
Accommodations for Filming Gorillas in Gabon
Akaka Forest Camp
Akaka Forest Camp is situated deep within the jungle at the confluence of the Ngowe and Echira rivers, approximately 60 kilometers by boat from Loango Camps.
Loango encampments
Situated at the northern extremity of Loango National Park on Iguela Lagoon, Loango Camps’ unique environment provides an ideal starting point for an in-park safari or a sport-fishing excursion.
Louri Wilderness Camp
Louri Wilderness Camp is a small, eco-friendly safari-style tented camp situated in the bush along the shores of Louri Lagoon. The camp, erected using the unique abilities of local villagers, was situated adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean, separated by a thin strip of beach.
Directions to Loango National Park
Following an overnight stay in Libreville, you will be greeted by your driver and transported to the airport for your brief, 30-minute flight to Port-Gentil. Upon arrival, another driver will meet you for the three-hour journey to Loango National Park in a luxury, air-conditioned 4×4 vehicle.
Upon landing in Libreville, you must spend at least one night before driving to Loango National Park the following day.