Gabon

Set on the continent’s Atlantic coast, the Central African country of Gabon is an off-the-beaten-track haven for wildlife, and a diverse, beautiful range of natural landscapes, running from thick, humid rainforest to sweeping, arid savannah. More than 11% of Gabon’s total land space is designated as protected parkland, making it an incredible destination for nature-lovers.

The magnificent Loango National Park is one of the best destinations for wildlife-watching anywhere in the world. Here you’ll find whales and dolphins gliding through warm ocean waters, western lowland gorillas in thick, green rainforest, enormous elephants strolling along white-sand beaches, and a savannah-full of rare and endangered animals. You might even spot the area’s famous surfing hippos. Head to thickly rainforested Lopé National Park for the highest concentration of elephants in the world, at an estimated three individuals per square kilometre. Chimpanzees, mandrills and buffaloes also call this area home, and a number of archaeological sites show Stone Age and Iron Age human activity. Akanda National Park is known for gorgeous tidal beaches and forests of mangrove trees and plays an important role in bird migratory routes, sea turtle hatching, and fish reproduction. Sea turtles, barnacled whales, dolphins and manta rays live in the marine Mayumba National Park.