Background

Lopé-Okanda: Where Culture Meets Untamed Nature

Explore Gabon's Lopé-Okanda National Park: A UNESCO site where ancient cultures meet diverse ecosystems and rare wildlife encounters.

The Lopé-Okanda Ecosystem and Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage site in central Gabon, presents a unique blend of dense rainforests and relict savanna environments, harboring diverse wildlife and a rich cultural history spanning 400,000 years. It stands as a testament to ecological adaptation and human civilization, offering visitors a chance to explore both natural beauty and ancient settlements.

A brief summary to Ecosysteem en cultuurlandschap van Lopé-Okanda

  • GA

Local tips

  • The best time to visit is during the dry season, from June to October, for favorable weather conditions.
  • Arrange for a local guide in Lopé to navigate the park and learn about its history and wildlife.
  • Book accommodations well in advance, as lodging options within and around the park are limited.
  • Bring appropriate hiking gear, including sturdy boots, as trails can be uneven and muddy.
  • Consider visiting the Wildlife Conservation Society's research center to learn about ongoing research and conservation efforts.
widget icon

Getting There

  • Train

    The most common way to reach Lopé National Park is by train from Libreville to Lopé. The train journey takes approximately 6 hours. From the Lopé train station, arrange for a local guide or transportation to your accommodation or directly to the park entrance. Train tickets can be purchased at the Owendo Train Station in Libreville. Be prepared to pay in cash, and it's helpful to bring a pen and paper if you don't speak French. Expect to pay around GAB 5,000-15,000 for a one-way train ticket, depending on the class.

  • Road

    Alternatively, you can hire a private transfer from Libreville through a safari operator. The journey covers approximately 360km and takes 7-8 hours, passing through various landscapes and villages. Be prepared for a dusty 130km stretch on a road shared with timber trucks. The cost for a private transfer can range from GAB 150,000 to GAB 300,000 or more, depending on the vehicle and operator.

Unlock the Best of Ecosysteem en cultuurlandschap van Lopé-Okanda

Buy tickets

    No tickets available

Book tours with entry

    No tours available

Book tours without entry

    No tours available

Discover more about Ecosysteem en cultuurlandschap van Lopé-Okanda

Lopé-Okanda National Park, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site since 2007, lies in the heart of Gabon, where the Ogooué River carves through a landscape that has witnessed continuous human occupation for 400,000 years. This remarkable area showcases an unusual meeting of dense, well-preserved tropical rainforest and relict savanna, creating a mosaic of habitats teeming with life. The park's ecological significance is immense, providing refuge for a greater number of threatened large mammal species than any comparable rainforest area in the Congo Rainforest Biogeographical Province. It also preserves a biological record of evolution over the last 15,000 years, marking the transition zone between rainforest and savanna. Keep an eye out for western lowland gorillas, mandrills, chimpanzees, forest elephants and the endemic sun-tailed guenon. Birdwatchers will be in paradise with over 400 species recorded. Beyond its natural wonders, Lopé-Okanda boasts a rich cultural heritage. Archaeological sites reveal evidence of human settlements from the Palaeolithic era through the Neolithic and Iron Age, showcasing the Ogooué River valley's role as a crucial migration route for Bantu peoples. Visitors can explore petroglyphs and other remnants of past civilizations, offering a glimpse into the region's long and fascinating history. The park provides the oldest evidence of the Tshitolien culture's expansion towards the Atlantic and reveals early domestication of plants and animals.

Popular Experiences near Ecosysteem en cultuurlandschap van Lopé-Okanda

Popular Hotels near Ecosysteem en cultuurlandschap van Lopé-Okanda

Select Currency