Take a Trip to Gabon

When planning a vacation, many people turn to destinations such as Barbados, Jamaica, Paris, Spain or Italy. While these are certainly very popular and beautiful places to visit, there are so many other places that people don’t even consider that should deserve some recognition. Gabon is a destination that is rarely considered, although it is a beautiful and wildlife friendly place boasting some of the best national parks in Africa. Situated on the West Coast of Africa, it is roughly half the size of France with a small population, reaching only 1.3 million. Up to 75% of the area is covered in rainforest and there has been limited pressure on the environment, making it an excellent area for wildlife to thrive.
If you are into bird watching you will absolutely love it in Gabon. There are a total of 13 National Parks in Gabon, and there are 680 different species of birds, including the forest birds of prey, the Congo Serpent-Eagle and the Long-Tailed Hawk.

Must See Parks!
The La Lopez National Park is one of the best parks in Gabon. When visiting this park, you get the chance to see elephants, gorillas and monkeys. It is not possible to see the entire park in a day, so it is recommended that you spend at least a weekend there in order to see everything it has to offer. One interesting thing about the park is that if you go on a jungle walk with the guides, they will provide you with fascinating facts about the wildlife and plants within the park.
A less expensive park to visit is the Nyonie Reserve and elephant sight seeing tours. They usually take place over a weekend and you set off on a Saturday morning and travel until the next day. It is well worth the long journey though as you are extremely likely to see elephants, gorillas, birds, lizards, monkeys and even wild pigs. There is also a beautiful, warm water beach along the way with luxurious white sand. There is a lodge here where you can stay and an all you can drink bar. These accommodations make this one of the top places to visit while on your trip.

Where to Stay and What to Expect
There is a gorgeous well-appointed hotel named the Meridian-Rendama Hotel. However, it is quite expensive, although people who have visited say it is worth every penny. The service is second to none and the rooms are extremely clean. There is a swimming pool and air conditioning and there is an enjoyable bar with live entertainment. The hotel is situated on the estuary of the Komo River in Glass Quarter.
If you want to stay within Gabon City Centre, then the Novotel Rapontchombo Libreville hotel is the place for you. There are 188 air-conditioned and comfortable rooms and it does allow pets. Also, the accommodations include a pool, a business center and a nice restaurant. It is much more reasonably priced than the Meridian Hotel which is good news for most people. Other accommodations may be difficult to find, so these two properties will be your best bet.

Things to Do
As well as national parks, there is also a casino in the major city and a very active nightlife, something you may not expect from an African locale. This is because Gabon’s oil supply has helped it to become one the richest countries in Africa, so it can afford to offer its tourists more than just sightseeing.
The city of Libreville offers plenty of glitz, and it has many high end shops with goods that are quite expensive. There is plenty of nightlife and the food and drink is reasonably priced and exceptionally delicious.
Another place to visit would be Port-Gentil which is situated on an island at the mouth of the Ogooue River. There are more restaurants, shops and clubs in Port-Gentil than there are anywhere else in Africa. It is also a lot cheaper than Libreville and is a really safe place to visit. Another casino can be found here as well.

How to Get There
It is easier to get to Gabon from anywhere in Europe. You can get a direct flight to Libreville from Brussels, Rome, Madrid and Geneva which makes traveling simple. You can also get there by train but it does take 6 days so it is often better to go by plane. From the United States, you may need to change flights several times in order to arrive in Gabon.

Any Downsides?
The only real downside about Gabon is that very few people speak English. This means that it would be beneficial to know several simple French phrases. You also need to make sure you get vaccinated against Hepatitis B and Malaria, and you should only eat food that is well cooked.
Furthermore, the way the women are treated in Gabon is really old fashioned. They are not permitted to talk louder than their husbands, and their place within the family is to cook, clean and stay at home. They are also very religious and most of the people are devout Catholics.
Overall, Gabon offers a rare, beautiful travel experience. It is an unusual travel destination, but those who have been there keep going back. The nightlife is active within the major cities, but if that isn’t your thing, then there are plenty of national parks to visit. It is a lot safer than many other African countries, so your mind can be free of worry while you are surrounded by a beautiful landscape in a rich, beautiful country.