Gabon

Akanda National Park is one of the 13 National Parks in Gabon set up in 2002 by President Omar Bongo after a two-year study by the DFC, WCS and WWF. The 13 national parks are designed to represent the biodiversity of the country and encourage tourism. Akanda National Park is located in the northeast of the country, near Libreville, along the Mondah and Corisco bays. Both of the bays are rich in marine life, and Corisco bay provides an important feeding area for turtles. Akanda is internationally important as a site for migratory birds and is home to the largest populations of such birds in Gabon. Activities: Boat ride through the Mangroves Beach walks to see the birds and turtles nesting on the beach and walk through the savannah and see the forest Buffalos and Antelopes. The Experience is amazing The accommodation At Pongara a simple and very basic facility (there is an outhouse, bucket shower, water drawn from a well, sleep in a tent which they provide). The experience is magical .

The small town of Léconi sits east of Léconi River (home to a good spot for swimming) Léconi is a convenient base from which to visit the Léconi Canyons (eroded sand escarpments) and Léconi Park. It is also the last place of tourist interest before the border with Congo. There are three named canyons in the area named after their colours red, white and green, these make up the Léconi Canyons, The Canyon Rouge (also known as Canyon Rose or the Cirque de Lékoni) the most visited canyon it is easily accessible from Léconi and is fortunately said to be the prettiest of the three. It sits less than 10km southeast of Léconi town, though the last 5km are on a sandy track. The track emerges at the lip of a cliff without warning (so drive carefully), and you’ll find yourself looking down into twin canyons – the larger ‘male’ canyon and the smaller ‘female’ one behind. There is a trail along the edge of the male canyon, leading to the female one. According to the locals, the canyons are home to spirits and those who enter will never return. The lake beyond is the Lac aux Caïmans (Caiman Lake), which was once a home to a large population of crocodile. The Canyon Blanc sits some 35km from Léconi along the sand track that leads to Ekouyi-Mboma, which branches southwest from the main road just west of Léconi town. The Canyon Vert lies in the opposite direction, sitting just astride the Congolese border. The canyon is about 40km from town; follow the track northeast past the Léconi airstrip towards Edjangoulou While visiting the canyons It is advisable to have a guide in the rainy season and a 4×4 wheel drive due to the sandy tracks in the canyons.