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9 DAYS/8 NIGHTS NORTH LOANGO NATIONAL PARK, GABON

Loango National Park is located in southwest Gabon. It protects diverse coastal habitat, including the Iguela Lagoon, the only lagoon ecosystem in West Africa which has protected status. Loango

consists of 15,550 sq. kms of grasslands, beaches, forests, mangroves, swamps and salt marshes.There are over 600 documented bird species. In Loango there is the opportunity to sight Forest elephant, Forest buffalo, Red River hog, Sitatunga antelope, chimpanzees and Western lowland gorilla, all against the spectacular backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean.

There are two seasons to keep in mind while planning a visit. December through March is a short, dry period when wildlife such as elephant and buffalo are drawn to the coastal areas for the salt in the ocean. June through September is the long, dry period when wildlife moves inland to the Akaka area for water. This itinerary is best undertaken November to May.

DAY 1

LIBREVILLE

Arrive Libreville. You are met and assisted at the airport. Transfer to your Libreville accommodation for overnight.

Meals included: dependent upon your arrival time

Park Radisson~ or ~

equivalentbed & breakfast

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DAY 2

LOANGO NATIONAL PARK: LOURI LAGOON

Transfer to Libreville’s airport for your early flight to Port Gentil. From there you transfer to Loango Lodge by road, a 3.5 – 4 hour journey. After a light lunch at the lodge, start your exploration of Loango National Park by crossing the lagoon by boat and taking a short drive to the Louri Lagoon. From here it is a pleasant boat ride to Louri Camp. You’ll have time to settle in before an afternoon game drive or guided walk.

Two hundred metres from the beach, Louri Camp consists of 5 safari tents on platforms. Each tent has an open-air shower with flush toilets, LED illumination, charge point for cameras & phones and a pedestal fan. High quality mattresses and bed linen complete the comfort. The camp has a dining area with large decks overlooking the lagoon. It’s a perfect location from which to explore the surroundings and is regularly visited by wildlife.

Meals included: lunch, dinner

Louri Camp

DAY 3

LOANGO NATIONAL PARK: GORILLA TREKKING

Depart Louri Camp at around 07:00 for a short drive to a pick-up point close to the Iguela lagoon, and continue by boat to Yatouga Gorilla Research Camp. The boat trip is about 45 minute duration. Once in the general area where the habituated western lowland gorilla is feeding, youwill enter the forest on foot following a team of Pygmy master-trackers whose daily task it is to track Kamaya, the gorilla silverback, and his family of seventeen. Once contact is made with the gorilla family, you will have the chance to observe them at seven to twelve meters. After spending an hour with the gorillas, you will visit the researchers’ Yatouga Base Camp either on foot or by returning to the boat and traveling a short distance on the lagoon. At YBC you will have light refreshments followed by a briefing, and question and answer session with the researchers. You return to Louri Camp by late afternoon.

>> Note: Gorilla trekking is only available to visitors who are capable of long, challenging walks. Difficulty scale of Loango gorilla trekking:

• WET SEASON: 3 on a scale of 5 as most difficult

• DRY SEASON: 4 on a scale of 5 as most difficult

We regret no children under 16 years are permitted to gorilla trek. Only 4 visitors at a time on any one gorilla trek.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Louri Camp

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DAY 4

LOANGO NATIONAL PARK: TASSI

Today, transfer from Louri Camp to Tassi Camp, first by boat and then on foot. During the hike you have the possibility to get up close and personal with some of the common forest species — forest buffalo, elephant, duiker, red river hog. On foot is the best way to appreciate Loango. Arrive at Tassi in time for lunch. In the afternoon, there is time for another guided walk, or a visit to the Tassi Lagoon with sundowners on the remote Tassi beach.

Tassi Camp is a rustic yet comfortable tented camp with flush toilets, running water, comfortable beds and LED lights. Meals are served in a separate dining area. Since the camp is situated on a small ridge, it overlooks a vast savanna which extends all the way to the beach. It is one of the best locations from which to search for red river hog, chimpanzee, turtles (in season) as well as any nocturnal animals. Tassi Camp ensures that you have a true African savanna camp experience and the best possible game viewing opportunities. A combination of hikes and drives will showcase the best there is to offer in this part of the park.

>> Note: Your luggage is moved to Tassi Camp by vehicle.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Tassi Camp

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DAY 5

LOANGO NATIONAL PARK: TASSI/CHIMP RESEARCH PROJECT

Tassi provides a diverse list of activities. Depending upon your sense of adventure, your guides will provide you with suggestions. Most ften, an early morning drive to Tassi South is a perfect way to start the day. Here there is another research project, Ozouga Camp, from where a chimpanzee research project is conducted. Although not yet fully open for tourism, you will have the opportunity to learn about life in this remote camp and the work the Max Plank Institute is doing with these big apes. You’ll be back at Tassi camp for lunch. In the afternoon, consider a kayak trip on the lagoon. End the day with a camp barbecue.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Tassi Camp

DAY 6

LOANGO NATIONAL PARK: TASSI

Today you’ll spend a full morning in the Tassi area. This will include both walking and driving. First, you will hike in the Okoume forest (a large forest with some of the biggest existing coastal Okoume trees. The sap of these trees is used for torches. It burns very well. Your guides will share their insights into Gabonese forest traditions. Back at Tassi Camp you will enjoy lunch. Return later to Loango Lodge by vehicle. This drive takes you to the most northerly tip of Louri Lagoon where it can be possible to see elephants and buffalo on the beach.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Loango Lodge

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COST PER PERSON (BASED ON TWO PEOPLE SHARING)

2 paxs: 4,798 Euros per person

>> SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: 625 Euros

DAY 7

LOANGO NATIONAL PARK: AKAKA

In order to explore the different biotopes of Loango, a visit to Akaka is mandatory. You will depart early morning for the 60 km boat ride, across the Iguela lagoon and into the magical Rembo Ngowe River. Although a dry season destination, Akaka still offers spectacular landscapes, amazing bird life and a good chance to spot wildlife. Expect some good crocodile sightings. Loango is home to three species: African Slender Snouted, Dwarf Crocodile & Nile Crocodile. Akaka is home to one of the largest populations of the critically endangered African Slender Snouted Crocodiles. Birding is excellent too: You might see African Jacana, Goliath Heron, Purple Heron, Hammerkop, African Fin foot, African Darter, Pied kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, among many others. After lunch at Akaka Camp, return to Loango Lodge by boat.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Loango Lodge

DAY 8

LOANGO NATIONAL PARK: LAGOON & ESTUARY

Today is your last full day at Loango which you spend on an extensive boat tour of the lagoon and estuary. In the afternoon, enjoy your last game drive to Louri Beach for sundowners. With luck, there might be elephants on the beach.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Loango Lodge

DAY 9

LIBREVILLE/DEPARTURE

After a leisurely morning, depart for Port Gentil by road (4 hours) and your late afternoon/early evening flight to Libreville. Connect tonight to your international departure. We can arrange overnight accommodation in Libreville if necessary.

Meals included: breakfast, light lunch

— E N D O F S A F A R I S E R V I C E S —

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SERVICES INCLUDE• Arrival & departure services at Libreville & Port Gentil airports.

• Transfers to & from the airports, hotels and ports.

• Domestic flights: Libreville — Port Gentil — Libreville

• Vehicle transfers to & from Loango Lodge.

• Accommodation, meals & bottled water at Loango Lodge and camps.

• All scheduled safaris and excursions per the itinerary, excluding special fishing and other add-on excursions. >> Please see list which follows on next page.

• Park fees at 23 Euros per person per day.

• Wireless internet at Loango Lodge.

• Lodge confirmation letter for visa submission.

• Gorilla permits at 460 Euros per person. We regret no children under 16 years.

• Accommodation in Libreville for arrival night.

SAFARI EXCLUDES• International flights

• Gabon visas, which must be obtained in advance.

• Travel Insurance which should include emergency evacuation coverage to home country, such as offered by www.globalrescue.com

• Meals other than breakfast in Libreville & Port Gentil. Consider 5,000 – 10,000 CFA or 8 – 16 E per meal.

• Taxis in Libreville or Port Gentil used for any personal sightseeing or outside the scheduled activities of the Loango Lodge.

• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages such as wine, beer, sodas and juices.

• Gratuities

• Personal purchases

• Any add-on activities. >> Please see list which follows on next page.

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ADD-ON ACTIVITIESWHALE WATCHING: JULY TO SEPTEMBERIn the months June to October, breeding humpback whales congregate off the coast of Gabon as part of an annual migration to the Gulf of Guinea. The parks board at Iguéla conducts offshore surveys of these animals as part of the normal anti-poaching campaigns. There is the option for limited numbers of guests to accompany the research team and experience the whales at close quarters. Please write MTTZ for the current cost.

SPORT FISHING (LAGOON & BEACH) Nowhere else in Western Africa is the coastal environment so unspoiled as it is in Gabon, ensuring quality fishing for Giant African threadfin, Cubera snapper, Guinean barracuda, jacks, and tarpon, amongst others. Most fishing techniques are employed and include spinning, fishing with natural baits, trolling, surfcasting, fly fishing, etc.

SPORT FISHING (OPEN SEA)Fish for sailfish, wahoo, dorado and tuna.

>> Please note: Gabon’s international reputation belies the reality that it remains one of the most tourist-challenged countries in Central/West Africa. While MTT endeavours to keep the logistics of any Gabon itinerary as accurate as possible, travel in Gabon remains susceptible to conditions beyond MTT’s control, such as weather, road conditions, and sudden government and local restrictions. It may be that MTT determines a contingency routing is best for your itinerary and must reserve the right to make these changes to keep its guests as inconvenienced as possible. MTT endeavours to stand by its estimate safari costs, but unexpected costs might arise, due to all of the above influencing factors, and for which MTT cannot be held accountable.