National park · Gabon
Ivindo National ParkParc national de l'Ivindo
Fly or drive to Makokou, then 12 km (7.5 mi) to the park gate. Spend 3–4 nights: one day at Kongou and Mingouli waterfalls (easy walk), one full day at Langoué Bai with a park guide (book ahead), and a buffer day for weather. Go June–August; the park is closed or hard to reach in the wettest months. Book a package with a lodge or the ANPN camp.Fly or drive to Makokou, then 7.5 mi (12 km) to the park gate. Spend 3–4 nights: one day at Kongou and Mingouli waterfalls (easy walk), one full day at Langoué Bai with a park guide (book ahead), and a buffer day for weather. Go June–August; the park is closed or hard to reach in the wettest months. Book a package with a lodge or the ANPN camp.
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- Plan calculated
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Map to the park
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Area
3,000 km² (1,158 sq mi)1,158 sq mi (3,000 km²)
approximate
Established
2002
Best months
Jun–Aug
UNESCO
World Heritage
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
- 3,000 km² (1,158 sq mi)1,158 sq mi (3,000 km²)
- 300,000 ha (check).
- Established
- 2002
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
Ivindo National Park in eastern Gabon protects 300,000 ha of lowland rainforest around the Ivindo River. Its two draws are the Kongou and Mingouli waterfalls — the 'wonders of Ivindo' — and the Langoué Bai, a forest clearing where elephants, gorillas and buffalo gather. The park was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2021. It is less visited than Loango or Lopé, so you need to plan transport and guiding in advance.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2021Ivindo National Park.
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 1983Ipassa Makokou Biosphere Reserve (part of the park).
Size and age
3,000 km² (1,158 sq mi)1,158 sq mi (3,000 km²) · national park since 2002
300,000 ha (check).
Why go
- Kongou and Mingouli waterfalls are among the most powerful in Central Africa, with a short walk from the road.
- Langoué Bai is one of the five most important forest clearings in Central Africa for viewing elephants, gorillas and buffalo.
- The park is remote and quiet — you will see few other visitors.
- Over 430 bird species recorded, including the grey-necked rockfowl.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanShort dry spell, but roads may still be wet.
- FebRain peaks; trails muddy.
- MarWet; thunderstorms common.
- AprWet; access difficult.
- MayDrying out; improving.
- JunDry and clear; best for bai and waterfalls.
- JulPeak dry season.
- AugDry; good wildlife viewing.
- SepRain returning; still possible.
- OctWet; trails deteriorate.
- NovVery wet; some lodges close.
- DecWet; check access.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest elephants at Langoué BaiJun–Sep · Most reliable in the dry season. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Western lowland gorillaJun–Sep, Dec–Jan · Seen at the bai and on trails; not guaranteed. | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | yes |
| ChimpanzeeJun–Sep · Heard more than seen. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Grey-necked rockfowlJun–Sep · Rare; near streams and cliffs. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Over 430 bird speciesAll year · Year-round; migrants in Nov–Mar. | 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 Makokou (scheduled or charter, check), then 12 km (7.5 mi) by taxi or lodge transfer to the park gate.Fly to Makokou (scheduled or charter, check), then 7.5 mi (12 km) by taxi or lodge transfer to the park gate.
1 h flight + 20 min road
Open the page →
From Franceville
Road north to Makokou (about 200 km (124 mi), 3–4 h on unpaved roads).Road north to Makokou (about 124 mi (200 km), 3–4 h on unpaved roads).
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Makokou
Taxi or lodge pick-up to the park gate.
20 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Kongou and Mingouli waterfalls | The main waterfalls on the Ivindo River, with a short walking trail and viewing platforms. | Open with park entry. |
| Langoué Bai | A forest clearing with a viewing platform; elephants, gorillas, buffalo and sitatunga. | Guided only; book ahead. |
| Ipassa Plateau | Biosphere reserve area with research camp and trails. | Open with park entry; some trails may require a guide. |
| Mount Kingué and Mount Ngouadi | Two hills (749 m and 870 m) with forest trails. | Guided recommended; trails not marked. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
6 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.
Approximate positions; the park is large and coordinates are for orientation only.
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 (per person per day) | XAF 10,000–15,000 | person | Check current rate with ANPN. |
| Guide for Langoué Bai | XAF 50,000–100,000 | group | Required; book through ANPN or your lodge. |
| Vehicle entry | XAF 5,000–10,000 | vehicle | Check. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Langoué Bai visit permit or guide
Filming / drone permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- XAF 10,000–15,000
- XAF 50,000–100,000
- XAF 5,000–10,000
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on ANPN — Parc national de l'Ivindo before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for Langoué Bai and recommended for all trails away from the waterfalls.
- Drones
- Not allowed without prior permission from ANPN.check
- Camping
- Not permitted in the park; stay at the ANPN camp or lodges.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish.
- Wildlife distance
- Keep at least 50 m from elephants and gorillas; do not feed animals.
Where to stay
In the park
ANPN camp (Ipassa)
Basic accommodation for researchers and visitors; book through ANPN.
Near the park
Lodges near Makokou
A few lodges and guesthouses in Makokou, 12 km (7.5 mi) from the gate.A few lodges and guesthouses in Makokou, 7.5 mi (12 km) from the gate.
Near the park
Campement Kongou
Simple lodge near the waterfalls; check availability.
Safety
Remote location high
Wildlife encounters medium
Road conditions medium
Thunderstorms and tornadoes 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
- The Kongou and Mingouli waterfalls are reachable by car with a short walk on a flat path.
- Langoué Bai involves a drive on rough tracks and a walk of about 1 km (0.6 mi) on uneven ground.Langoué Bai involves a drive on rough tracks and a walk of about 0.6 mi (1 km) on uneven ground.
- Most trails are not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Book through ANPN or a responsible operator to support park management.
- Stay on marked trails and the viewing platform at Langoué Bai to minimise disturbance.
- Do not approach or feed wildlife; avoid single-use plastics.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Ivindo National Park?
Park entry is about 10,000–15,000 XAF per person per day (2026 estimate). A guide for Langoué Bai costs 50,000–100,000 XAF per group. Check current rates with ANPN.
What are the best hikes in Ivindo National Park?
The short walk to Kongou and Mingouli waterfalls is easy and takes 1–2 hours. The full-day trip to Langoué Bai involves a drive and a 1 km walk to the viewing platform. The Ipassa Plateau has forest trails of 2–4 hours.
When is the best time to visit Ivindo National Park?
June to August is the dry season and the best time for wildlife viewing at Langoué Bai and for walking to the waterfalls. September and May are transitional. The wettest months (October–April) can make roads impassable.
Do I need a guide for Ivindo National Park?
A guide is required for Langoué Bai and recommended for all trails away from the waterfalls. Book through ANPN or your lodge.
How do I get to Ivindo National Park?
Fly from Libreville to Makokou (about 1 hour), then take a taxi or lodge transfer 12 km to the park gate. Alternatively, drive from Franceville (3–4 hours on unpaved roads).
Can I see gorillas and elephants in Ivindo?
Yes, at Langoué Bai, especially in the dry season (June–August). Sightings are not guaranteed, but the bai is one of the best places in Central Africa for forest elephants and western lowland gorillas.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Ivindo National Park
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