Gabon by bespoke camps: un-tapped safari

Gorillas in the jungle & humpbacks by the beach

Tucked away on central Africa’s west coast, Gabon hides plenty of the unique, from the world’s only surfing hippos to some of the planet’s largest gorilla troops.

Hidden until now – with our extensive on-the-ground research and logistical expertise, this is the first time you can explore its secrets in expedition comfort, using helis, fixed wings and our bespoke camps.

With our exclusive contacts, expect visits to some of the oldest human settlements, the chance to protect some of Africa’s most important turtle nesting sites and plenty of adrenaline thrills, from ATV beach races to spotting forest elephants and breaching whales, metres from your boat.

All media taken on Cookson Adventures trips

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Jungle safari

With nearly 90% of Gabon covered by rainforests, there’s so much to discover. Take Polaris 4x4s through forests and savannah to spot everything from elephants and chimpanzees to leopards and red river hogs. Then, use rope systems to explore the canopy of the Bois de Géants – ancient, 60m-high trees. Or, we know where you can find thousand-strong gatherings of mandrills – the largest and most colourful of the Old World monkeys.

Track gorillas with primatologists

Joined by some of the world’s top gorilla experts, head deep into the jungle to embed yourself among some of the world’s largest gorilla families. You’ll be able to watch as silverbacks and babies alike range through the foliage and interact. With our contacts, we might also be able to secure an exclusive invite to search for the chimpanzees, too.

Coast safaris

Thanks to its prime location along the equator, Gabon’s warm waters provide the perfect breeding ground for migrating humpbacks. With our trackers, head out to watch them breach mere metres away – there might even be the chance to hop in and swim alongside them. Don’t also forget the planet’s only body surfing hippos, who refresh their skin in the ocean before catching a wave back in to dine on fresh grass.

Bespoke tented camps

We’ll build custom camps from scratch, so you can enjoy a slice of comfort off-grid on remote white sands or deep in the forest. Expect everything from full double beds and social areas to movie projector setups and a private chef, perhaps cooking up fish you’ve caught on your tent’s doorstep.

River safaris

Paddle kayaks or take a speedboat and jetskis through papyrus-fringed waterways, looking out for everything from elephants to hippos and crocs. There’s even the chance for a country first – parasailing a lagoon for a giant bird’s-eye view of the mangrove system.

Adventures by ATV

Gabon is home to miles and miles of pristine white sand – the perfect playground for a quad-bike adventure. While that could be a special race course set up outside your beach camp, keep your eyes peeled for elephants in the jungle and those famous surfing hippos.

Fixed-wing & heli expeditions

From the natural forest clearings, or baïs, to the rolling hills of Gabon’s Wonga Wongue National Park, head out on epic aerial explorations to gauge the immensity of the tropical rainforests from above. It’s all combined with some special dining setups and plenty of unforgettable animal encounters along the way. Think soaring over a herd of forest elephant.

Turtle conservation

Gabon’s sandy beaches offer ideal conditions for leatherbacks and olive ridleys to lay their eggs. Ever at risk from predators and human interference, you can help local conservationists collect these to place in a secure area, before releasing at a later date.

With Gabon only recently opened up to tourism, this is a rare opportunity to be at the forefront of world travel.

Alongside spotting the likes of forest elephants on jungle ATV rides and hippos on river sailings, this is a safari with a difference, from breaching humpbacks and turtle conservation to gorilla treks with leading experts.

There’s also plenty of specialist intrigue, from enjoying exclusive invitations to pygmy tribes where you can experience traditional ceremonies to some of the planet’s best sports fishing. Think monster tarpon and crevalle jack. This is one of the only places where such giants of the ocean can be fished for straight from the beach.

There are also 13 national parks, covering a tenth of the entire country.

Footage shot entirely on our trips

Pongara National Park: Surprisingly accessible, spot forest elephants wading through lagoons and arboreal monkeys in the treetops before turning your attention to the coast for humpbacks dolphins and nesting sea turtles.

Loango National Park: Alongside its iconic surfing hippos, you can also spot nesting crocs and elephants on Loango’s pristine beaches. It’s also home to the Max Planck Institute – a research site with a habituation programme for gorillas and chimps. Trek out to meet our distant cousins.

Petit Loango: This private concession can only be accessed by heli or during low tide, making it a pristine vision of white sands, bright-blue waters and jungle fringes. It’s the perfect setting for fishing trips and jet-ski exploration, with incredible primate life back on land – from moustached monkeys to red-capped mangabeys.

Lopé National Park: Simply, this is the best place in Africa to see the endangered mandrill monkey and its impossibly colourful face. Among its monsoon rainforest and ancient savannah, look out for pygmy tribes and ancient petroglyphs. Lopé is also said to have the highest concentration of elephants in Africa – three per square kilometre.

Wonga Wongue National Park: This reserve once belonged to the Gabonese president, spanning 500,000 hectares of dense forests, mangroves and towering hillside dunes. It’s home to everything from elephant and buffalo to lowland gorilla and stalking panthers.

Of course, you’ll end each day in your bespoke camp. Tailored to you, that might be a personal massage tent or fishing gear on hand, with any catches prepared over the open fire by your private chef. Otherwise, we know the country’s best accommodation, included stilted beachside retreats, full of timber charm and backed by wildlife-filled jungle.