LOPE NATIONAL PARK.
Lopé National Park is a national park in central Gabon. Bordered by the Ogooué River to the north and the Chaillu Massif to the south, the park takes up roughly 4912 square kilometers. Although the terrain is mostly monsoon forest, in the north the park contains the last remnants of grass savannas created in Central Africa during the last ice age, 15,000 years ago It was the first protected area in Gabon when the Lopé-Okanda Wildlife Reserve was created in 1946, and in 2007, the national park and surrounding Lopé-Okanda landscape were added to the World Heritage List by UNESCO because of its biodiversity, unique savanna-forest transitional zone, and the spectacular petroglyphs in the region.
Lopé National Park has dry weather compared to the rest of Gabon, being located in the rain shadow of the Chaillu Massif. In addition, there a low band of rainfall along the Ogooué River. As a result, the landscape contains a complex mosaic of dense tropical rainforests and savannas. The boundary (called an ecotone) between the two habitats has shifted since the last ice age, with the rainforest expanding into the savanna, although the dry climate has allowed the savanna ecosystem to persist in the north of the park.
Because of the complex environment, the national park contains unusually high biodiversity across many taxa. Over 1,550 plant species have been recorded to date, with many regions of the park yet to be explored fully. In a survey of land snails in the park, 74 species were found from 12 different families. The park also provides critical habitat for the leopard, protecting healthy populations of its prey species including the red river hog, African forest buffalo, and cane rat. Other mammal species found in the part include the endangered giant pangolin and tree pangolin, often sharing nests wit Microchiroptera bat species.
History of the Lope National Park.
Lopé National Park and its surroundings contain evidence of almost continual human occupation over the last 400,000 years. The Ogooué River Valley is much less forested than its surroundings, making an open landscape that may have been used as a corridor and migration route from the coast to the interior of Africa. The oldest Stone Age tools currently known were discovered at Elarmékora in the central region of the valley, in addition to several other Stone Age archeological sites. In the Neolithic, between 3500 and 2000 years ago, the Bantu people may have used the valley during the Bantu expansion, leaving behind remains of polished stone axes and pottery. During that time, small villages were constructed on the hilltops with large rubbish pits. Later, when iron-working appeared in the valley around 2000 years ago, the hilltop villages became larger, with nearby iron furnaces, and agriculture began to flourish. Although over 1600 petroglyphs have been discovered dating from around the time of the beginning of iron-working, it appears that the valley was abandoned sometime between 600 and 1200 AD, before being repopulated by the present-day Okanda people in the 14th and 15th centuries.
Conservation around the park
The park contains a small research station, named as Mikongo and run by the Zoological Society London, based in the village known as Mikongo, from which it gets its name. There exists infrastructure to cater for tourists at the base, including several chalets and a large open air dining room, from which the rainforest is a mere five meters away. The park also hosts CEDAMM Training Centre, a Wildlife Conservation Society-run international conservation education center.
Because of global climate change, the dense forest ecosystem is expanding into the savanna ecosystem in the north, leading to the loss of habitat diversity in the park. As a result, annual controlled burns of the savanna have been conducted in the park to reduce the encroachment of the forest vegetation and to provide the required vegetation for the diet of the forest buffalos
Parcs Gabon Wildlife Camp’s ecologically-constructed Moabi Tented Camp is located in the midst of rolling savannah at the northern end of the park, just 40-minutes from Lopé National Park Station. An exclusive location that allows you to move with the wildlife and get close to the action.
Creating the sensation of a grand mobile safari, each of the camp’s six guest tents have been kitted out with classic safari-style furnishings. Private quarters lit by the luminous glow of paraffin lamps and an extended sitting area where the views are infinite. You also dine beneath the stars on grilled campfire meats, salads and wine at an elegant dining table; a setting where forest elephants, red river hogs or buffalos may also cross your path. For a rested sleep, comfortable beds draped with billowing mosquito netting are ready made for blissful slumber. Only you and a chorus of serenading insects of the savannah.
Moabi tented camp
Located high on a ridge at Point du Vue overlooking the northern region of Lopé National Park, Moabi Tented Camp places you in an exclusive setting surrounded by exceptional diversity of wildlife and access to the finest in-park activities.
Lined with glowing paraffin lanterns at night to add to the ambience, the six new, low-impact tents accommodate up to two guests; each outfitted with a ready-made double bed draped with mosquito netting and a sitting area with a table and chairs overlooking Lopé’s expansive vistas. Once the sun is down evenings pass all too quickly.
Keeping with the ethos of “Green Gabon,” recycled rainwater is used for showering and there is no hot water or electricity [there is electricity for fans and chargers].
Dinner is a fare of grilled meats with salads.
Primates.
For the best wildlife encounters, the rainy seasons from February – May and October – November will give you the numbers. If you’re visiting during the dry season from July – August, you will see an extraordinary gathering of mandrills. Serving as the world’s most important refuge for this baboon-like primate, Lope’s mandrills are largely found in the northern end of the park, where they congregate in mass of up to 800 individuals over two short weeks every year in July — the largest gathering ever recorded exceeded 1350 in numbers. A visit to The Station d’Etudes des gorillas et chimpanzees offers another extraordinary insight into important primate research programs. Here you will be given a presentation and overview of their habits and behaviors of gorillas and chimpanzees.
Safaris
A safari with a difference, you will track large populations of mandrills, chimpanzees and gorillas with an experienced GWC guide and blaze a series of forest gallery trails on foot. During your visit you may learn about the Bwiti initiation ceremony; rites of passage for Gabonese men while further afield, you’ll visit Lope’s UNESCO World Heritage listed rock carvings and prehistoric sites. Another highlight is the climb to the misty summit of Mount Brazza, a journey that retraces the expedition of Italian-born, French explorer Savorgnan di Brazza, who with the backing of the Société de Géographie de Paris left an open trail for the French to colonies. On a night safari by 4×4-wheel drive, you might spot Mangabey, collabeys and other wildlife
The safari includes several walking treks when tracking mandrills and other wildlife. To enjoy the trip, you should be physically fit and capable of walking a minimum of 5 km on hikes over rough terrain. Excursions also include treks to Mt Brazza and other forest trails. You will have an expert Gabonese tracker who will guide you on the trip.
Package.
At the forefront of our three-day safari in Lopé National Park is primate viewing. Prices are per person based on double or single occupancy and includes overnight accommodation in Libreville [three or four star suited to your budget], transfers upon arrival and departure [Libreville or Makokou] to Lopé National Park, and a full safari at Moabi Tented Camp including all meals [as indicated in the itinerary].
Along with tracking collared mandrills and viewing other wildlife, the itinerary includes a night safari, a trek and nature walk to Mount Brazza, and a drift boat and a pirogue excursion along the Ogooué River where you will come across UNESCO World Heritage-listed prehistoric rock carvings and a scattering of Stone Age and Neolithic sites. Transport of luggage is in a GWC vehicle.
The three-night safari can be combined with a Langoué and Loango National Park extension along with an optional pirogue and drift boat day excursion along the Ogooué River from Ndjole to Lambaréné where the German-born missionary doctor and humanitarian, Dr Albert Schweitzer established The Hôpital Albert Schweitzer with his wife in 1913. You also overnight at the hospital museum’s guest house before returning the following day to Loango National Park.
Getting there.
If you’re travelling directly to Lopé from Libreville, The Trans Gabon Railway offers the most comfortable experience. Overnighting in the capital upon arrival to Gabon, the air-conditioned train departs at 16.00PM, to Owendo Station [40 minutes from downtown] where you board the express train in first class to the national park, arriving in Lopé at 01.00AM. Though the service comes with meals, we recommend that you bring additional snacks, drinks and something to drape around your shoulders when the air-conditioning ramps up. It is also important to note that PGWC will only book your passage on this express train.
A Gabon Wildlife Camps & Safari driver will collect you in one of our vehicles at the station for the 40-minute drive to Moabi Tented Camp. On the way, don’t be surprised by the rough road or the nocturnal animals you may encounter beyond the headlights.
A GWC driver will also see you off at the station. We will also arrange hotel and airport transfers in Libreville.