80% of Gabon is covered in dense forest and it has nearly 900km of coastline and 13 national parks. Its exceptional biodiversity includes a bird-list of 774 species and mega-species such as gorillas, chimpanzees, mandrills and forest elephants. It is estimated that Gabon has 60,000 forest elephants, 35,000 western lowland gorillas and 64,000 chimpanzees. An enlightened conservation policy under the wonderfully-named President Bongo and his “Green Gabon” programme, zero-tolerance of poaching, which is, sadly, becoming a serious problem in the north and low crime-rate, make Gabon’s “last Eden” moniker seem well-deserved. This central African gem is safe, sparsely populated, sensibly run, covered with pristine forest. Thanks to its intact biodiversity, the big game hang out on the beach. The food is fantastically French. Read More
