Ivindo National Park Gabon

Ivindo National Park is a wildlife park located in east-central Gabon in west central Africa. Declared in 2002 by presidential decree with its demarcation process completed in 2004, Ivindo National park covers a total land area of 3,000 sq km. It is bisected by the equator and has lowland forest vegetation – for the most part, pristine. There is scanty human settlement within close proximity to the park except in the north-eastern sections.
The Park is currently managed by the Gabon National Parks Office in collaboration with the Gabon Ministry of Water and Forests, Pond Foundation, Tropical Ecology Research Institute (IRET), CARPE, FIGET and the MacArthur Foundation.
Ivindo Wildlife Attractions
Extremely remote Ivindo has remained untouched with thick forests making it a great habitat of massive wild animals such as Gorillas, Sitatungas and Forest Elephants. s. Other species present are the chimpanzee, forest buffalo, bongo, red river hog, leopard and the slender snouted crocodile.

Ivindo Forest Elephants

Several bird species and insects are always chattering and rumbling behind the hills and waterfalls and eery noise of the elephants from deep within the trees. Bird enthusiasts may want to view these lovely creatures from a research station, which is very accessible from nearby Makokou town.
Other Attractions in Ivindo National Park
Apart from the animals, the park has magnificent waterfalls of Koungou, Mingouli and Djidji. They can be best viewed from above. Another magnificent attraction is the Langoue Bai – discovered about three years ago is bounded by massive forest and steep-sided highlands. It is a unique safari attraction for the adventurous bird watchers and researchers. Most activities in the park centre on this Langoué Bai such as viewing the gorillas, elephants and sitatunga feed off the succulent grasses.
Getting There
Access into Ivindo National park is solely via the Trans-Gabon railway (from Libreville or Lope National Park); you can also charter a private aircraft landing on a dirt airstrip; you may also choose to get there by boat or foot. The rivers flowing through the area are large and expeditions into the interior of the forest are occasionally undertaken by boat. All tour facilitations such as refreshments, eats and other necessities get there by train as there is no road link into the Park.
In 2001 a research station camp was established near Langoué Bai by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). This eco-camp’s principle focus is to monitor the wildlife and clear visitors who come to view the animals. Access to the camp is by foot and visitors carry their own luggage for the duration of the walk.
Of much concern is that some sections of the park have been compromised such as the hydro-electric dam on the Koungou which limits wilderness variety. Research at Langoué Bai focuses mainly on elephants and gorillas, and some elephant have been fitted with GPS transmitters to analyze their movement.
We recommend that all Gabon tourism visitors come to Ivindo Park and see Africa in its raw state.