National park · Gabon
Lopé National ParkParc National de la Lopé
Visit Lopé National Park for a day hike to the savanna‑forest edge (entry ~15 000 XAF, 2 h walk) or a full‑day trek to the Mikongo research station (guide required, 6–8 h, best in dry season 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
6,500 km² (2,510 sq mi)2,510 sq mi (6,500 km²)
approximate
Established
2007
Best months
Jun–Sep
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
- 6,500 km² (2,510 sq mi)2,510 sq mi (6,500 km²)
- About 4,900–5,000 km² of park core inside the wider Lopé-Okanda landscape of roughly 5,000–7,000 km²; figures vary by source and boundary (check).
- Established
- 2007
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Libreville
Lopé protects the meeting line between rainforest and savanna on the Ogooué's north bank, in the Central Highlands of Gabon. The savanna in the north is old — open grassland that has persisted for thousands of years — and it is why you can watch forest elephants and mandrills from a road or a ridge instead of a boat or a blind. The wider Lopé-Okanda landscape has held UNESCO World Heritage status since 2007, for its mix of habitats and its record of human settlement. The park is the easiest of Gabon's big parks to reach without flying: the Transgabonais train stops at Lopé, and the Mikongo forest station, once run as a research and visitor base, sits inside the park. Expect basic infrastructure, few other visitors and a package-style trip rather than independent wandering.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2007Lopé‑Okanda ecosystem.
Size and age
6,500 km² (2,510 sq mi)2,510 sq mi (6,500 km²) · national park since 2007
About 4,900–5,000 km² of park core inside the wider Lopé-Okanda landscape of roughly 5,000–7,000 km²; figures vary by source and boundary (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Libreville.
Why go
- Forest‑savanna transition with large mammals and birds.
- Mikongo research station offers guided walks and wildlife talks.
- Accessible by the Trans‑Gabonais train from Libreville.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanRainy, trails muddy.
- FebRainy, high humidity.
- MarRainy, occasional floods.
- AprTransition, less rain.
- MayEnd of rains, trails improving.
- JunDry, good wildlife visibility.
- JulDry, cooler nights.
- AugDry, optimal for trekking.
- SepDry, end of season.
- OctStart of rains, some trail work.
- NovRainy, rivers rise.
- DecRainy, limited access.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MandrillsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Elephants (forest)Jun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Numerous bird species (hornbills, raptors)Mar–Aug | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
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
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main entrance & visitor centre | Ticket office, map, short forest loop. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Savanna‑forest edge | Wide savanna plateau with wildlife viewing points. | Guided only. |
| Mikongo research station | Village and station with guided walks and talks. | Guide required; limited accommodation. |
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 site; positions are approximate.
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) | XAF 15,000–20,000 | person | Covers main trails; check at gate. |
| Guided day trek to Mikongo | XAF 50,000–80,000 | group | Includes guide and transport to station. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided trek permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- XAF 15,000–20,000
- XAF 50,000–80,000
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 Parcs Gabon – Lopé National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for any trail beyond the short entrance loop.
- Camping
- Not allowed in the park; stay at Mikongo lodge or nearby villages.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use designated cooking facilities only.
- Pets
- Not allowed in the park.
Where to stay
In the park
Mikongo lodge
Basic rooms run by the research station, meals included.
Near the park
Libreville
Wide range of hotels for pre‑ and post‑park stays.
Safety
Heat and insects medium
Lost on remote trails high
Heavy rain floods 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
- Visitor centre reachable by car; short loop suitable for limited mobility.
- Longer trails are steep and not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Support the Mikongo research station by purchasing meals or souvenirs.
- Leave no trace: pack out all waste.
- Avoid single‑use plastics; refill water bottles.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Lopé National Park?
Entry is 15 000–20 000 XAF per person (about $25 USD); guides and day‑treks cost extra.
What are the best hikes in Lopé National Park?
The short savanna‑forest loop (2–3 h, easy) and the full‑day Mikongo trek (6–8 h, moderate, guide required) are the main options.
When is the best time to visit Lopé National Park?
The dry season June to September offers the best trail conditions and wildlife viewing.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is not permitted; stay at the Mikongo lodge or in Libreville.
Do I need a guide for the short loop?
No, the entrance loop is self‑guided with maps at the gate; any longer trek requires a guide.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Lopé National Park
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