22 Aug 2025 - 05 Sep 2025 (15 days)
EUR6,395 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: André Bernon
Tour price (Per person): EUR6,395 * USD6,709 * GBP5,303 * AUD10,366
Single Supplement: EUR520 * USD545 * GBP431 * AUD843
Can be linked with: Gabon - Loango National Park Extension 2025
01 Sep 2026 - 15 Sep 2026 (15 days)
EUR6,700 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Stephan Lorenz
Tour Leader: Lisle Gwynn
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*
Tour price (Per person): EUR6,700 * USD7,028 * GBP5,556 * AUD10,861
Can be linked with: Gabon - Loango National Park Extension 2026
The West African nation of Gabon made headlines in 2002 when its national parks rose from zero to thirteen, as more than 10,000 square miles of pristine rainforest was protected to conserve the incredible faunal wealth of this, the largest intact forest block on the entire African continent. The birding is exceptional and some of the near-mythical African megas that we will be targeting include White-crested Tiger Heron, Pel’s and Vermiculated Fishing Owls, African River Martin, Congo Serpent Eagle, Long-tailed Hawk, Lyre-tailed Honeyguide, Black and Plumed Guineafowls, Finsch’s Francolin, Hartlaub’s Duck, Fraser’s and Akun Eagle-Owls, Bates’s and Brown Nightjars, Yellow-throated and Thick-billed Cuckoos, Black-headed and Rosy Bee-eaters, Fiery-breasted Bushshrike, Bare-cheeked Trogon, Gosling’s Apalis, Rufous-bellied Helmetshrike, Rachel’s and Red-bellied Malimbes, Dja River Scrub Warbler, Woodhouse’s Antpecker, Yellow-bellied and White-spotted Wattle-eyes, Black-chinned and Loango Weavers, Congo Moor Chat and Black-collared Bulbul. Due to its small population and vast rainforest resources, Gabon is also unique in harbouring significant numbers of African rainforest mammals that have either disappeared or are very difficult to see elsewhere such as Forest Elephant and Forest Buffalo, sounders of Red River Hogs and a plethora of monkeys. Chances even exist for Lowland Gorilla, Chimpanzee and Mandrill!
Congo Serpent Eagle; Long-tailed Hawk; Bare-cheeked Trogon; Fiery-breasted & Gorgeous (Perrin's) Bushshrikes; African Dwarf, White-bellied, Shining Blue & Chocolate-backed Kingfishers; Finsch's Francolin; Congo Moor Chat; Black-chinned Weaver; Fraser's & Akun Eagle-Owls; Red-chested Owlet; Black & Plumed Guineafowls; Bates’s & Brown Nightjars; Black-headed, Black & Rosy Bee-eaters; Black-casqued & White-crested Hornbills; Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill; Yellow-throated & Thick-billed Cuckoos; Sjostedt's Greenbul; Yellow-throated Nicator; Lyre-tailed & Spotted Honeyguides; Gosling's Apalis; Black-collared Bulbul; Red-bellied, Rachel's & Cassin's Malimbes; Hartlaub's Duck; Dja River Scrub Warbler; Woodhouse's Antpecker; Yellow-crested, Elliott's & Gabon Woodpeckers; Yellow-bellied & White-spotted Wattle-eyes; Rufous-bellied Helmetshrike; Blue Cuckooshrike; Violet-backed HyFliota; Black-rumped Buttonquail; Red-throated Cliff Swallow; Black-backed Barbet; Rufous-sided & African Broadbills; Salvadori's Eremomela; Grey & Rock Pratincoles; African Skimmer; Bates's Swift; Violet-tailed & Johanna's Sunbirds; Angolan, Gabon & Fernando Po Batises; White-spotted Flufftail; Gabon Coucal; chances for African River Martin; Eastern Wattled Cuckooshrike; Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk; Blue-headed Bee-eater; Latham's (Forest) Francolin.
Forest sub-species of African Elephant and African Buffalo; Red River Hog; Chimpanzee; Side-striped Jackal; Black Colobus; Moustached & Putty-nosed Monkeys; Grey-cheeked Mangabey; Demidorff's Dwarf Galago; chances for Lowland Gorilla; Mandrill; African Palm Civet; Gabon Squirrel Galago.
Lowland and gallery forest, grassland, woodland, rivers
Warm and humid
8 with 1 Rockjumper leader / 9 - 10 with 2 Rockjumper leaders
WARNING: This tour involves strenuous activities and is intended for experienced adventurers. If you prefer a more relaxed experience, please check out our [Explore Relaxed Tours]
Moderate to demanding. Not suitable for novice birders, dedicated photographers, or guests with mobility challenges. Our Mega tours are very fast-paced birding adventures designed for the dedicated lister and serious birder. The focus of the tour is to see as many of the endemics and area specials as possible in our given time. In order to cover the necessary route to maximise the species list we tend to spend a single night at most sites and travel large distances. There is very little down time aside from that spent driving from one site to the next. These tours are not suitable for dedicated or avid photographers; inexperienced or new birders; as well as anyone with serious mobility or health challenges.
Variable. Basic at Léconi & Langoué Baï to comfortable.
Moderate. Primarily forest birding with several low-density species.
300 - 320
Magnificent pristine forest, some of the least explored wilderness in Africa
Worthwhile, good on Loango Ext. No dedicated hides. Platform at Langoué Baï.
Glen was great! His steady, unflappable leadership was the best and he got us on some terrific birds, never stopped trying, always looking. At the same time, he handled logistics very well and always with good humour. His enthusiasm for all things in nature and thoughtful attentiveness to the group made this a special trip.
Andre Bernon did an excellent job as the second guide. We were impressed with his birding capabilities and knowledge, his friendliness and humour, and his dedication as well. We look forward to being guided by him in Ghana next year if things work out as planned.
David Hoddinott, with his extensive experience, dedication to the birding task at hand, enthusiasm, and robust sense of humour, was again an excellent lead guide.
Gabon - Loango National Park Extension 2024 - August 2024
Gabon - Rainforest Birds & Mammals 2024 - August 2024
Gabon (Main + Ext) - Swartz - August 2023
Gabon - Rainforest Birds & Mammals 2018 - August 2018
Gabon - Loango National Park Extension 2017 - August 2017
Gabon - Rainforest Birds & Mammals 2017 - August 2017
Gabon - Rainforest Birds & Mammals 2016 - August 2016
São Tomé & Príncipe - Endemics Extension 2016 xx - August 2016
Gabon - Fleming 2015 - July 2015
Gabon - Rainforest Birds & Mammals 2014 - August 2014
Gabon - Rollefson 2010 - February 2010
Gabon - Borderlands 2009 - March 2009