OGOOUE MARITIME REGION
THE HUMPBACK WHALES
About the whales
The Humpback whale belongs to the Cetacea order. This species of whale weighs approximately 40 tonnes and measures around 18 metres in length.
The Humpback whale is easily identified by its fin which forms a visible arch along its back as it breaks the surface. When it blows, it can spray water 2.5 to 3 m into the air. During the mating season, the whales make sounds that resemble song. This is the famous ‘‘mating call’’ of the whale.
Localisation
Between June and September, the Humpback whale travels up from the Arctic to the Equator (south-north/east). Migration answers a natural drive (for food, mating and giving birth).
In July 2000, 64 groups of whales were spotted between Gamba and Cape Lopez.
Conditions for approaching
Humpback whales can be seen off the coast of Libreville and from Cape Lopez, Port Gentil, to Loango and at Mayumba in southern Gabon. An approach, with a safety margin of around 300 metres, is used to see and photograph these enormous mammals.
Watching the whales leap out of the water, slap their tails and spy hop is a spectacular sight.
PORT- GENTIL
Environment
Since the beginning of the 20th century, Port-Gentil has been the city of oil and of Gabon's oil business. Wood also plays an important role here. The town is an international business centre. The peaceful capital of the Ogooué Maritime region, it is situated 20 minutes from Libreville by air. The activity of Catholic and protestant missionaries remains an active memory today: churches, missions, etc. It is also part of the lagoon region and the famous Wonga Wongué nature reserve.
Accommodation
Do not hesitate to visit the Mandji Meridien, for the service will surpass your expectations: suites and rooms with a sea view, exotic, luxuriant vegetation and cuisine based on products from the sea.
Leisure
Leisure activities: take a star tour, an elaborate tour, a promenade on the beaches (Fernan Vaz, the oil tankers), try windsurfing, surf casting, jet skiing, relaxation, visit the zoo in Port-Gentil Park, explore the lagoons, or try fishing for the tarpon, it’s a must!
OGUENDJO TARPON CLUB
DEEP SEA FISHING IN GABON
Environment
Oguendjo Tarpon Club is a fishing centre situated in the Olende lagoon to the south of Port-Gentil. Like all the other fishing centres in Western Gabon, Oguendjo has the benefit of its lagoon location making it an exciting fishing spot. The landscape of Oguendjo is marked by the rainforest. It gives way to a coastal strip that forms a beautiful fine sandy beach.
Accommodation
Oguendjo Tarpon Club offers rustic accommodation that is convivial and suitable for lovers of fishing. The shower block with wash-hand basins and w.c. is located a short distance from the rooms. A main building at the centre of the camp comprises the bar and the dining room. The camp is based on typical Gabonese style architecture. There is a place set aside for depositing fishing equipment.
http://gabon-destinationinsolite.com/en/peche.htm
Leisure
At the Ogunedjo Tarpon Club, fishing, the main activity, is inconceivable without high-performance equipment. For this reason, the camp makes equipment available to the fisherman. You will find fishing rods, hooks and reels suitable for each type of fishing: surf casting, casting, dragging, etc. Two 50cv motor boats, Boston Whaler Montauk 17s, are at the disposal of the fishermen.
Oguendjo is the preferential location for tarpon fishing in Gabon. You will never fail to land an interesting catch.
Accessibility
By air to Port-Gentil then by boat along the lagoon: extraordinary scenery guaranteed.
Email: j.allain@club-faune.com
OPERATION LOANGO
FOR TRAVELERS WHO LOVE AFRICA
Environment
180 km south of Port-Gentil, Iguela Lagoon hosts the Loango National Park, which covers 230,000 hectares of natural milieu with rich fauna. Situated at the entrance to the Iguela Lagoon, the Loango National Park forms a breathtaking mosaic of forest, grassy savannah, lagoons and beaches, along the southern coast of Gabon. It constitutes a remarkable cradle of biodiversity. Loango National Park is considered one of the most beautiful national parks in the world.
Accommodation
Iguela has two tourist villages for lovers of nature and fishing. The hotel complex Opération Loango offers various lodges and bush camps or luxury beach camps right inside or in the surrounding area of the Loango National Park. Loango Lodge is situated at Iguela, Evengue Lodge (‘‘gorilla island’’), the canvas camp of Akaka, canvas camps of Tassi/Louri and Pointe Sainte Catherine (beach and bush).
Opération Loango offers you a very comfortable, pleasant stay.
Leisure
Living your passion is possible at Iguela. Due to its nature and position, the Iguela lagoon is reputed for its numerous species of fish. The abundant catches of the fishing enthusiast include redfish, barracuda, tarpon and shark. The equipment and personnel at your disposal will help you to land – why not? - the catch of your life! Operation Loango will make your fishing trip an adventure.
Nature lovers will marvel at the scenery and wildlife typical of the Loango National Park. The animals indigenous to Central Africa include elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees, red river hogs, buffalo, antelopes and birds. Watching them in their natural habitat of forest or savannah will be an unforgettable event in the holiday of wildlife enthusiasts. Operation Loango offers safaris to explore the region’s unique, rich, unspoilt ecosystems. Alongside nature safaris, you can also embark on a cultural safari.
Humpback whales can be observed from Iguela. Operation Loango provides you with the possibility of watching them in perfect safety onboard the Zodiac hydrojet.
Accessibility
By Air from Libreville or Port-Gentil to Omboué, then by car.
Phone (241) 56 41 00 / 07 39 96 18
Email:
iguela@uuplus.com http://www.operation-loango.com/
Phone: +880 2165 110-1862
GAVILO
THE CONVIVIAL ATMOSPHERE OF THE LAGOON AND THE SAVANNAH
Environment
Situated in Iguela lagoon, the Gavilo tourist centre is set in surroundings of lagoon and savannah, inhabited by the emblematic wildlife.
Accommodation
Accommodation is in bungalows for 2, 3 or 4 people. You will savour convivial moments and simple fare consisting of typical European and African cuisine.
Leisure
Gavilo allows you to set off in search of the “Assala” or forest elephant, discover the wild buffalo on a safari-adventure, on foot or 4WD. Take a boat trip along the river Rembo or the Loury and see the Niloticus or giant cayman. You can visit the British cemetery or the parrot centre. A large number of excursions à la carte (to Akaka, Sainte Anne, etc.) are also available. In waters teeming with fish, amateurs of fishing techniques such as surf-casting, bottom fishing and trolling will delight in practicing their favourite sport at this convivial spot, between lagoon and savannah.
Accessibility
Flights from Libreville to Port-Gentil, Fridays and Sundays. Transfer from Omboué to the camp by 4WD (approximately 1 hour 30 minutes).
Email: itinerisgabon@yahoo.fr Tél. (241) 06 71 05 25
OLAKO
Everyone dreams of such a place
Environment
Situated at the crossroads between Fernand Vaz lagoon, Omboué to the south of Port-Gentil and Loango National Park to the north, the Olako Hotel is set in ideal surroundings (forest and lagoon) for exploring nature and discovering magnificent wild scenery.
Accommodation
7 twin rooms individually decorated, with private bathroom, are available. All rooms are air-conditioned, with telephone, teapot and coffeemaker. With a restaurant on the water’s edge serving exotic fruit, organic vegetables and fresh fruit juices, the Olako Hotel is an ideal spot to relax.
Leisure
Discover the picturesque river Mpivié with its crocodiles, the Nzaloungou botanical gardens, the charming mission dating from the 18th century, the equatorial forest and its many species of wildlife, including some magnificent bird species. Daily excursions into the Loango National Park are available. For lovers of fishing, the region is happy to boast the best fishing grounds.
Lastly, your evenings will be highlighted with traditional Gabonese music and dance.
Phone: (241) 77 30 95
SETTE CAMA SAFARI
SPORTS FISHING AND DISCOVERY OF LOCAL CULTURE
Environment
Sette Cama is situated 40 km north of Gamba, at the mouth of the Ndogo lagoon. This location makes Sette Cama one of the most important fishing grounds in Africa. It is also famed for its innumerable islands. The rain forest, with its wildlife, is present, as it is all over Gabon.
Accommodation
The lodge is five minutes from the village of Sette Cama. Built on the sandy coastal strip, the five comfortable wooden bungalows, with hot water shower, afford you a pleasant stay during your fishing trip. Full board is available.
Leisure
For the fishing enthusiast, Sette Cama camp is world famous for its tarpon fishing, from November till March. The mouth of the lagoon is teeming with fish, and catches include barracuda, redfish, bumper, skipper and tarpon. Sette Cama also has innumerable magnificent islands, and some beautiful walks among the hippopotamuses.
You will also have an opportunity to visit Loango National Park and admire the elephants, buffalo, chimpanzees and majestic trees.
The ‘‘Mama ma Fumu’’ are a group of rural women who specialize in weaving rush mats and baskets.
Accessibility
Regular flights to Gamba 4 times a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday) with Air Service. Then by 4WD to the lodge.
Phone: (241) 07 57 15 31
Email: scsloango@yahoo.fr
SETTE CAMA VILLAGE
MINGLE WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES
Environment
Sette Cama Village is situated at the edge of Ndougou Lagoon, 45 minutes to the north of Gamba, and south of the Loango National Park. The village is set in exceptional surroundings situated between the lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. This location offers enormous possibilities for tourist activities.
Accommodation
At the Village of Sette Cama accommodation is available in a light, spacious inn with six double rooms and patio looking onto the Lagoon. This Inn, the Case Abietu, is comfortable, welcoming and restful, making it an ideal place to stay with the family or a group of friends. Abietu is run by the village cooperative and the proceeds generated by its activity help to improve living conditions in the village. The meals served are prepared by the village women, using fresh local produce, including fish.
 At the opening of the lagoon at the Sette Cama village, you have the charming Sette Cama Safari camp with 3 wood bungalows made from local materials, with a shower and bathrooms, and a dining hall with numerous souvenirs and photos of the time of Mr. Patry – the famous hunting guide who was in Sette Cama before. From the camp, there are excursions by dugout canoes into the lagoon, walks into the Loango forest looking for elephants, forest buffaloes, sitatungas, red river hogs, monkeys and birds, and there is big game fishing at the mouth of the lagoon and surf-casting. Stay in Sette Cama
There are round-trip flights from Libreville to Gamba every day except Saturday, including 4-wheel drive transportation to the Sette Cama Safari Camp.
We recommend a minimum stay of two days.
The price includes the plane, 4-wheel drive transportation to the camp, all meals and activities. Recommended season for fishing “tarpon” from November to March
Environment:
It is situated at 50 km on the south of Gamba, at the mouth of the Ngodo lagoon. Its geographical location makes it one of the most important place for fishing in Africa.
There are many islands to go to; like everywhere in the country, you will have the forest to discover and its wild animals.
Housing: Huts with no air conditioning –quite comfortable
A full board is available
Leisure: For fishing-addicted people, the Sette Cama Camp is worldwide known for the fishing “tarpon” from November to March. The Nyanga river is very fishy and you can get “barracuda” , “red fish”, “carangue”, “captain”, etc. On the islands you can also see hippopotamus. In the Loango reserve, you can find elephants buffalos, monkeys and noble trees.
Accessibility:
By plane- Gabon Express from Libreville- Return flight- Saturday morning to Wednesday morning. Best chance of seeing gorillas is in Sette Cama where there is a small group living in the forest between the village and the "Sette Cama Safari" fishing camp. The World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) rangers from the village, or the people from the fishing camp can take you on walks to see them. You need to fly to Gamba and then ask either for the WWF office or for Monsieur Rigon (the taxi drivers know him), who owns a hotel in Gamba and can take you to the fishing camp (it costs minimum 70 Euros per person/day, depending on whether there is a group going or you have to pay the boat alone). The other options to see gorillas, in Lope national park, are even more expensive and your chances are lower to see them.
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Leisure
At the inn, with the collaboration of the Community Interest Grouping (GIC) and the association of local guides (young Gabonese people from the village, trained in the job by professionals), you will discover magnificent scenery, charismatic wildlife (elephants, hippopotamuses, luth turtles, etc.) during your rambles and walks along the beach.
Other activities are organized, such as fishing from a traditional pirogue canoe, camping in the forest, a night at the camp watching marine turtles, night excursions on Ndougou lagoon looking for crocodiles, trips to neighbouring villages or a visit to the Moukalaba Doudou National Park. You will also discover local arts and crafts, historical sites, traditional villages and plantations.
Accessibility
Regular flights to Gamba, and transfer by 4WD to the village.
Phone: (241) 07 53 36 05 / 07 77 45 41.
Email: gambareservations@yahoo.fr
MISSALA PÊCHE SPORTIVE
THE MECCA OF FISHING
Environment
Missala Sport Fishing camp is situated under a large archway of trees, 5 minutes from Sette Cama towards the sea.
Accommodation
You will spend your stay in Missala camp in comfortable studio flats. The restaurant serves high quality local and international cuisine.
Leisure
Fishing is the favourite leisure activity at Missala. A variety of fish are caught here: barracudas, bumpers, redfish, Senegal drum, skippers, tarpons, etc. Surf casting and trolling in the lagoon and cast fishing are offered.
At Missala, you can take a trip in a traditional pirogue canoe to meet the hippopotamuses and birds, walk in the forest to look at chimpanzees and gorillas, elephants and buffalo, relax on the endless beaches or, by 4WD, explore Little Loango reserve, or the villages of Sounga, Nioungou and Akaka.
Accessibility
Flights from Libreville to Gamba, then boat.
