Waka

The most dissected terrain of the Chaillu Massif, between Fougamou and the Lopé. At the heart of Mitsogho country, cradle of a uniquely Gabonese culture 

Park Highlights

• Wild rugged mountains
  The mountains of the Chaillu Massif - tough, dissected and of a savage beauty - seem today to be at the heart of untamed nature. But a second look shows that it has not always been so.
• Cradle of an exclusively Gabonese culture
  Aging oil palms and atanga (African plum) trees bear witness to ancient  villages perched in unexpected places. History tells us about the resistance against Bakele and French incursions into Mitsogho country, the warrior Mbombe - the Shaka of Gabon, and the Bwiti religion - today more widespread - but which had its origins, it seems, in the Chaillu Massif. What civilisation existed here in days gone by?
• Ikoy rift valley
  A remarkable feature of the site is the Ikobé-Ikoy-Onoy rift valley, deeply incised into the landscape. It follows a line of geological faults over 100 kilometres long and crystal-clear, pebble-bedded rivers funnel through it.  This rift is one of the larger features of Gabon most readily visible from space.
• Exploration of the flora
  The Chaillu Massif can be seen as a southward extension of the Crystal Mountains south of the Ogooué river. The flora is likewise reputed to be very rich, but in truth is little known. We have found Begonias, Orchids and Impatiens of great beauty there.

International status

• Waka is part of the Massif du Chaillu mountain range generally considered as a conservation priority.

Tourist facilities

• At present the site itself is not easily accessible and there are no hotels close by
• Nearby the network of roads and villages linked to the Sindara ferry, could be interesting from the cultural point of view