National park · Gabon
Loango National ParkParc National de Loango
Visit Loango for a day hike to the beach‑side elephant trail (entry fee ~X XAF, 2 h walk) or a 4‑day wildlife safari (guide required, best Jun–Sep).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,550 km² (598 sq mi)598 sq mi (1,550 km²)
approximate
Established
2001
Best months
Jun–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Sort the visa before the flight
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Central Africa ↗Sort the visa before the flight: none of the seven countries reliably issues tourist visas on arrival to Western passports, and e-visas here are tied to named airports.
- Central Africa ↗Carry the original yellow fever vaccination certificate in your hand luggage; health desks at every Central African airport ask for it, and a missing card can mean refusal or a jab at the desk.
- Central Africa ↗Before booking anything in or near the DRC, read the WHO Ebola situation page and your own government's health notice: the 2026 outbreak brought quarantine and boarding rules for people who have been in the DRC.
- Gabon ↗Apply for the Gabon e-visa only on evisa.dgdi.ga; it is valid for arrival at Libreville's Léon Mba airport, so any land entry needs an embassy visa.
- Gabon ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead: malaria prevention is needed in every part of Gabon, including Libreville.
- Gabon ↗Visits to national parks are arranged through licensed lodges or operators; park fees are set by the national parks agency, so confirm what your package includes.
At a glance
- Country
- Gabon
- Area
- 1,550 km² (598 sq mi)598 sq mi (1,550 km²)
- Approximate land area; marine zone not included (check).
- Established
- 2001
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Libreville
Loango National Park on Gabon's Atlantic coast protects a mosaic of rainforest, savannah, mangroves and beaches where forest elephants, hippos and seasonal whales gather, offering guided walks, wildlife safaris and whale‑watching tours.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2001.
Size and age
1,550 km² (598 sq mi)598 sq mi (1,550 km²) · national park since 2001
Approximate land area; marine zone not included (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Libreville.
Why go
- Coastal rainforest with elephants, hippos and seasonal whales.
- Diverse habitats from mangroves to savannah in a single park.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecGo
- JanDry, cooler; good for wildlife spotting.
- FebDry, warm.
- MarStart of rains.
- AprRainy, trails muddy.
- MayRainy, high humidity.
- JunStart of dry season, wildlife active.
- JulDry, good for beach‑elephant walks.
- AugDry, whale‑watching season begins.
- SepDry, still good for safaris.
- OctRain returns.
- NovRainy, some trails closed.
- DecShort dry spell, cooler.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest elephants, red forest buffalo, sitatunga, duikersAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Whales (humpback, fin)Jun–Oct | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Birds (600 species)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Libreville
Fly to Iguela (Loango airstrip) or take a boat from Port‑Gentil to Omboué, then a short road transfer to the park entrance.
2–3 h total
Open the page →
From Port‑Gentil
Charter boat to Omboué/Evengué Island, then transfer to lodge or park gate.
1.5–2 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Evengué Island | Main arrival point; base for lodges and day‑trip departures. | Accessible by boat or small plane. |
| Beach‑elephant sector | Coastal stretch where forest elephants and buffalo graze. | Guided walks from lodges. |
| Mangrove‑savannah corridor | Trail network linking inland savannah to mangroves. | Guided only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from official park website; approximate for internal points.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry fee | Free | person | Exact amount not published; check at gate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided safari permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Mandatory for any multi‑day trek or wildlife safari.
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the park except with an authorized operator.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use designated cooking facilities.
- Drones
- Restricted; obtain permission from park authorities.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; bins limited.
Where to stay
Near the park
Loango Lodge & eco‑camps
Lodges, beach and savannah camps with meals and guided activities.
Near the park
Evengué Lodge
Jungle lodge on Evengué Island, base for day trips.
Safety
Heat and insects medium
River crossing high
Seasonal storms medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main lodges reachable by boat or small plane; short walks from lodges are level ground.
- Longer trails are steep and unsuitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Book with operators that follow the park’s eco‑tourism guidelines.
- Support local communities by buying crafts at Loango Lodge.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Loango National Park?
Entry fees are set by the park authority; the exact amount is usually paid at the gate and varies by season – check the latest price before you go.
What are the best hikes in Loango National Park?
The guided beach‑elephant walk (2–3 h) and the multi‑day savannah‑to‑mangrove safari are the most popular routes.
When is the best time to visit Loango National Park?
June to September offers dry weather, active wildlife and the start of whale‑watching season.
Can I camp inside Loango National Park?
Camping is only allowed with an authorized operator; otherwise it is prohibited.
Do I need a guide for a day visit?
A guide is required for any wildlife‑focused trek; short self‑guided beach walks are allowed with a park‑issued map.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Loango National Park
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