Loango Lodge

Most of the bungalows have a superb view of the calm river and overlook the National Park. The lodge has also 3 suites with many extra facilities such as an extra sitting room, bath, mini bar, hairdryer, coffeemaker, and extra personal service and care. Both bungalows and suites are traditionally decorated.

Loango Lodge is an exclusive lodge offering uninterrupted views of the luscious surrounding bush and overlooking the calm river that separates the lodge area and the national park.

The lodge is situated on the edge of Petit Loango National Park, famous for its variety of unspoiled landscapes and its inhabitants such as gorillas, chimpanzees, elephants, buffalos, leopards, etc It is the perfect staging post from which to explore Petit Loango National Park.

Loango Lodge is situated at Iguela (on the northern boundary of the loango national park

The small-scale lodge consists of 7 bungalows all supplied with a private terrace, air-conditioning, fan, mini-bar, toilet, and a shower with hot and cold water.

Most of the bungalows have a superb view of the calm river and overlook the National Park has 10 rooms (incl 3 suites) with air-conditioning and private bathrooms

sun deck library, boma laundry facility home base for research teams, and training centre for eco guides lounge

Restaurant is attached

Lagoon tours A number of waterborne circuits take place on the Iguéla lagoon. While there is always the chance of seeing wildlife on these trips the main aim is to introduce aspects of the general area and the local ecology and thus the focus is on the ‘smaller’ things. You can expect to learn about various birds, fish, plants, crustaceans, insects, etc., and how they interact.

Whale watching: In the months of June to October, breeding humpback whales congregate off the coast of Gabon as part of an annual migration to the Gulf of Guinea. A research team based at Iguéla conducts daily offshore surveys of these animals as part of a long-term study. There is the option for a limited number of guests to accompany the research team and get to experience the whales at close quarters.

Sportfishing: Nowhere else in western Africa is the coastal environment so unspoiled as it is in Gabon, ensuring quality fishing for Giant African threadfin, Kubera 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.

Sea turtles: November to February is turtle season. Four species of turtle breed along the Loango coastline, including the impressive leatherback. You can join one of the turtle data collection teams on nightly marches looking for nesting or hatchling turtles. Crocodiles All three species of African crocodile occur in the area and nighttime sorties can be arranged.

Birding: The birdlife is rich and varied, but as with the forest mammals, most birds require looking for. Bird-watching sorties can be organised on foot or by boat to a large variety of local habitats. Some of the local species include Forbes’s Plover, Grey Pratincole, Pel’s Fishing Owl, Vermiculated Fishing Owl, African River Martin, Black-headed Bee-eater, Rosy Bee-eater, and Loango Weaver.

The Avenue circuit – Mpivié River, St. Anne Mission, and Evengue Starting at either Omboue or Iguéla, spend time at Evengue island and the St. Anne mission, which is the unusual setting of a spectacular cast-iron church designed by Eiffel. Part of the trip includes boating on the beautiful Mpivié, a black-water river with a fringing swamp forest, slender-snouted crocodiles, and interesting birdlife.

Bwiti dancing: Bwiti is a form of traditional Gabonese dance and you can partake in this unusual spectacle on a late-night visit to a typical local village. The spectacular fire dance used to make contact with ancestors is an experience you will never forget. The sacred wood (Bois sacre) called Eboga is eaten as a hallucinogenic.

Conservation activities: As part of the Operation Loango philosophy, visiting and resident specialists involved in conservation and research programs will from time to time present their work and offer guests the opportunity to accompany them in the field.