National Parks

President El Hadj Omar Bongo has created a National Park network based on the findings of a two-year biological and socio-economic evaluation by field teams from the DFC, WCS and WWF. 

Gabon’s National Parks are designed to be representative of its varied natural environments, representing biodiversity sanctuaries with great tourism potential.

• Wealth in plant life
  Gabonese forests are renowned for their huge diversity in different plant species. They certainly rank among the richest in Africa. Some botanists would even put them at the top of the list.
•  Wealth in fauna
  Gabon is rich in animals which are threatened or poorly represented at continental or regional levels - nowhere else can you watch elephants on the beach and also hope to see breaching humpback whales from the same spot.
• A wealth of different landscapes
  From the strange mangroves of the coast to the spectacular savannas of the Bateke Plateaux, the wealth of natural scenery is exceptional.
• A wealth of different cultures
  The different cultures of Gabon are of great interest. Traditional masks and reliquaries, for instance, hold a special fascination.
• Tourist facilities
  Hotels are now increasingly comfortable and accessible, and Libreville has become a major crossroads for Central Africa.

Why National Parks?

• For the Gabonese people of today and the future, to protect a sustainable source of wealth.
  For everyone on the planet, to protect a very special part of our global heritage.
  A network of National Parks is an essential prerequisite for Gabon’s developing tourist industry.

What surface area?

• The Central African heads of state have agreed to protect at least 10% of their lands as National Parks. This is part of the “Yaounde Process”.
  According to Gabonese law, the surface area of a National Park cannot be less than 1,000 hectares.

Other types of protected area

• These include smaller sites and sites of specific interest. Nature reserves, sanctuaries and other categories to ensure appropriate long-term protection for all species and ecosystems.