Enjoy photographing iconic Central African forest wildlife in some sensational wild settings on this small group photographic adventure. Led by wildlife photographer Bret Charman, this tour visits two lodges in top wildlife hotspots.
For photographers and wildlife enthusiasts, the megafauna of Central Africa’s rainforests have long been both alluring and challenging to see and photograph. Our tour to Gabon is designed to change that, offering rare opportunities to encounter and capture images of these extraordinary species. This adventurous small‑group journey focuses on photographing some of the region’s most impressive mammals in two of Gabon’s most remote and wildlife‑rich national parks.
Key highlights include walking with mandrills, tracking lowland gorillas, and photographing African forest elephants in lush riverine forests. There are also chances to search for chimpanzees and at least five other monkey species, along with a vast array of colourful birdlife and smaller creatures.
We begin in the savannah‑forest mosaic of Lopé National Park, where we spend three dedicated sessions tracking a habituated 'mega‑clan' of mandrills monitored by researchers. These striking relatives of the baboons are exceptionally photogenic, with males displaying their most vibrant colours at this time of year. During our safaris and forest walks, we also hope to photograph other primates such as moustached monkeys, grey‑cheeked mangabeys, and possibly chimpanzees.
Our second base lies on the edge of ancient forest and open savannah in Loango National Park. Here, the highlight is tracking and photographing a habituated family of lowland gorillas, which is sure to be an unforgettable experience. Although more challenging to photograph than mountain gorillas, the setting offers opportunities for compelling images both in the trees and on the forest floor. Boat excursions offer unique photographic opportunities of forest elephants, buffalo, and hippos, and we may also encounter regional specialities such as red river hogs, sitatunga, red‑capped mangabeys, slender‑snouted crocodiles, and charismatic birdlife including the African river martin.
In addition to this dedicated photo safari, we also offer our Wild Gabon's Mammals & Birds tour, which is perfect for those who would prefer less emphasis on photography. Contact our team for further information.
Typical Itinerary
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Day 1:
Fly to Libreville
Depart the UK on a flight to Paris, where we connect with our flight to Libreville. After landing at Libreville, we’re met and transferred to our hotel in the city to rest.
Accommodation: Park Inn by Raddison, 1-night
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Day 2:
Journey to Lopé National Park
This morning we start early for the day's drive through Gabon's interior to Lopé National Park. The roads in Gabon are part of the adventure; the long drive gives us a greater insight into the countryside, and we may see some of our first birdlife.
At around eight hours, today's drive takes the entire day. We aim to arrive at our lodge in the national park before darkness falls and in time for dinner.
Accommodation: Lopé Research Lodge, 5-nights
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Days 3-6
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Lopé National Park
Over the next four days, we explore this biodiverse park through a variety of activities.
A major focus of the tour is photographing mandrills. To maximise opportunities, each participant has three dedicated mandrill treks, supported by photographic guidance throughout. Each day, the group divides into two smaller teams, with one tracking mandrills with researchers, and the other searching for primates with our local guide.
The mandrill experience forms part of an ongoing habituation and research project, giving us a rare and reliable chance to accompany researchers and photograph these remarkable animals as they move through the forest. At this time of year, several mandrill social units often merge into impressive 'mega‑clans' of more than 200 individuals.
During the mornings and afternoons when we're not tracking mandrills, we search for other primates to photograph. Although not habituated, the park supports high numbers of chimpanzees, putty‑nosed monkeys, moustached monkeys, and black colobus. In the late afternoons, we often head into the grasslands by 4WD to look for herds of forest elephants, forest buffalo, and if luck is on our side, the elusive red river hog. The park also offers excellent birdlife, providing further opportunities for striking images.
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Day 7:
Transfer to Libreville
Today, we return to Libreville on a long overland transfer, arriving at our hotel in the evening.
Accommodation: Park Inn by Raddison, 1-night
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Day 8:
Fly to Port Gentil & Transfer to Loango National Park
After an early start, we transfer to the airport for a short domestic flight from Libreville to Port Gentil in the south. The flight takes around 35 minutes, arriving mid‑morning.
From Port Gentil, we continue by road for approximately three hours (about 150 kilometres) on mostly unmade tracks as we make our way toward Loango National Park. The final stage of the journey is by boat, taking us directly to the lodge, and offering our first wildlife sightings in the park.
On arrival at our lodge, we settle into our rooms, receive a safety briefing, and enjoy a welcome lunch. In the afternoon, we head out by boat to explore the waterways of the Iguela River.
Cruising along the tranquil river, we hope to photograph forest elephants browsing at the water’s edge and, with luck, drinking or wading through the shallows. The shy sitatunga and the distinctive slender‑snouted crocodile are additional highlights we aim to capture on camera.
Accommodation: Loango Savannah Camp, 3-nights
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Days 9-10
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Gorilla Trekking & Exploring Loango National Park
Over the next two mornings, we again divide into smaller groups to track a habituated family of western lowland gorillas. The length of each trek depends on the gorillas’ movements, but we expect to be out for the full morning. Thanks to daily monitoring by researchers, we can hope for close‑range encounters and excellent photographic opportunities, capturing intimate images of their behaviour, hopefully both on the ground and in the trees amongst a timeless forest setting.
While one group is tracking gorillas, the other heads out on safari to forest clearings, where forest elephants, red river hogs, and the elusive sitatunga may be found.
One afternoon is dedicated to exploring the Akaka River, where we photograph hippos peering from the water and the rich birdlife that thrives along this pristine waterway.
At this time of year, sandbars along the river begin to attract the striking African river martin and rosy bee‑eater, offering chances to photograph them low on sandy banks or islands. With luck, we may also capture dramatic and unusual images of forest elephants along the coast.
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Day 11:
Loango National Park & Return to Libreville
This morning we have time for one final excursion, perhaps taking another boat trip for final elephant photography around the coast. With a bit of luck, we may even encounter the rare black‑headed bee‑eater or a Congo serpent eagle.
We then return to Port Gentil for our afternoon flight to Libreville. On arrival, we transfer to the international terminal to check in for our flight back to the UK.
Depart on an evening overnight flight to Paris.
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Day 12:
Arrive UK
Arrive in Paris and connect with your onward flight to London.
