Self-Launched Gabon & São Tomé and Príncipe Adventure — 13 Days

Fly into Libreville Léon-Mba International Airport. Most international connections come via Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines) or Casablanca (Royal Air Maroc). On arrival, purchase a visa on arrival if eligible (check your nationality in advance — many nationalities require an e-visa pre-arranged via the Gabonese embassy). Take a taxi from the airport to your guesthouse in the city centre (~£15). Spend the evening exploring the Libreville waterfront and trying local grilled fish at a restaurant along Boulevard du Bord de Mer.

🚌International flight (not included in cost estimate). Airport taxi to city centre ~£15.

🛏Hôtel Louis or Okoumé Palace budget rooms / La Falaise Guesthouse (~£30–45/night)

• →Arrive at Libreville Léon-Mba International Airport
• →Visa on arrival or pre-arranged e-visa check
• →Taxi to city centre accommodation (~£15)
• →Evening stroll along the Libreville waterfront
• →Dinner at a local restaurant on Boulevard du Bord de Mer

Travel from Libreville to Loango National Park. The most practical route is a domestic flight from Libreville to Port-Gentil (~£80–120 one way, book via Afrijet or Nationale Airlines Gabon), then a 4x4 transfer arranged through your lodge to Loango (~2–3 hrs). Alternatively, arrange a full transfer with a local operator such as Gabon Untouched or Loango Safari Camp directly — they can organise transport from Libreville for a fee. Check into your chosen lodge on the lagoon. Afternoon activities include a beach walk and introductory boat safari on the lagoon. Loango is famous for surfing hippos, forest elephants on the beach, and vast birdlife.

🚌Afrijet domestic flight Libreville–Port-Gentil (~£100). Lodge 4x4 transfer (~£50 pp).

🛏Loango Safari Camp or Ngove Lodge (~£80–120/night, book directly — includes meals)

• →Domestic flight Libreville to Port-Gentil (~£80–120, book via Afrijet)
• →4x4 lodge transfer from Port-Gentil to Loango (~£40–60 per person)
• →Beach walk along the Atlantic coast
• →Introductory lagoon boat safari
• →Wildlife spotting: hippos, forest elephants, birds

Today is the centrepiece of the Gabon leg — gorilla trekking in the forest. Book your gorilla trekking permit directly through Agence Nationale des Parcs Nationaux (ANPN) of Gabon or via your lodge. Permits cost approximately US$100–200 per person. Your local eco-guide will lead you through the jungle for a one-hour observation window with the gorilla group — a truly humbling experience. Follow safety briefings carefully. Return to the lodge for lunch, and enjoy an optional evening boat activity on the lagoon.

🚌No transport needed — activities depart from lodge.

🛏Loango Safari Camp or Ngove Lodge (~£80–120/night)

• →Gorilla trekking with ANPN-licensed local eco-guide (~£80–160 permit fee)
• →One-hour gorilla observation in the forest
• →Jungle safety briefing before trek
• →Lunch at the lodge with Iguela River views
• →Optional evening lagoon boat activity

Morning educational forest walk with your lodge eco-guide — watch for forest elephants, red river hogs, sitatunga antelope, and an extraordinary array of tropical birds. In the afternoon, take a boat ride along the Mpivié River, spotting crocodiles and kingfishers along the banks. As the sun sets, head out on a lagoon sunset cruise toward the Akaka River where forest elephants frequently visit the water's edge at dusk. These activities are typically arranged through your lodge; negotiate a daily activities rate on arrival (~£40–70 per person per day).

🚌Lodge-based — no external transport required.

🛏Loango Safari Camp or Ngove Lodge (~£80–120/night)

• →Morning forest walk with eco-guide (wildlife and birds)
• →Afternoon boat ride along Mpivié River
• →Crocodile and bird species observation
• →Sunset lagoon cruise toward Akaka River
• →Forest elephant encounter at Akaka River at dusk

Full day of game drives in the park, using lodge-arranged 4x4 vehicles. Spot buffalo herds, forest elephants, red river hogs, and sitatunga in the savannah and forest edge zones. Loango's unique 'surfing hippos' on the beach are a highlight not found anywhere else on Earth. In the evening, enjoy sundowners on a lagoon tour or seek out elephant encounters at the Akaka River. Negotiate daily 4x4 game drive rates with your lodge (~£50–80 per person). This is your final full day in Loango — savour every moment.

🚌Lodge 4x4 — included in daily activities negotiation.

🛏Loango Safari Camp or Ngove Lodge (~£80–120/night)

• →Full-day 4x4 game drives in Loango National Park
• →Wildlife viewing: buffalo, forest elephants, red river hogs, sitatunga
• →Beach visit for famous 'surfing hippos' sighting
• →Evening sundowners on the lagoon
• →Akaka River elephant encounter at sunset

Early breakfast, then transfer back to Port-Gentil via lodge 4x4 and catch your return domestic flight to Libreville (~£100). Check back into your Libreville guesthouse. Use the afternoon to visit the Marché du Mont-Bouët, Libreville's vibrant central market, and stock up on Gabonese crafts and local produce. In the evening, prepare documents for tomorrow's onward flight to São Tomé.

🚌Lodge 4x4 transfer (~£50 pp). Afrijet domestic flight Port-Gentil to Libreville (~£100).

🛏Hôtel Louis or La Falaise Guesthouse, Libreville (~£30–45/night)

• →Early breakfast and lodge check-out
• →Lodge 4x4 transfer back to Port-Gentil
• →Domestic flight Port-Gentil to Libreville (~£100)
• →Visit Marché du Mont-Bouët for local crafts and food
• →Evening preparation for São Tomé departure

Fly from Libreville to São Tomé International Airport. STP Airways and TAP Air Portugal operate this route (via Lisbon); check current schedules as STP Airways has operated direct Libreville–São Tomé routes (~£150–250 one way). On arrival, take a taxi to your guesthouse in São Tomé town (~£8). Spend the afternoon wandering the Portuguese colonial streets of the capital — visit the Fortaleza de São Sebastião (the national museum) and the colourful waterfront market. Dinner at a local restaurant trying the national dish of calulu (fish stew with palm oil and vegetables).

🚌International flight Libreville–São Tomé (~£200 estimated). Airport taxi (~£8).

🛏Pensão Alfândega or Guesthouse Avenida, São Tomé town (~£25–40/night)

• →Morning flight Libreville to São Tomé (~£150–250, book via STP Airways or TAP)
• →Taxi from airport to São Tomé town (~£8)
• →Visit Fortaleza de São Sebastião / National Museum (~£3 entry)
• →Explore the colonial waterfront and local market
• →Dinner at a local restaurant — try calulu fish stew

Hire a local driver-guide for the day (~£40–60 for the car, split between your group) for a full south island tour. Drive through lush rainforest and cocoa plantation scenery, stopping at the dramatic volcanic plug Pico Cão Grande (viewpoint), the roaring natural blowhole at Boca do Inferno, and the stunning Seven Waves Beach (Praia das Sete Ondas). Lunch at Pensão Mionga at Porto Alegre for incredible sea views and fresh seafood (~£10–15). Return north along the west coast in the late afternoon.

🚌Hired local driver-guide with 4x4 for the day (~£40–60/car total, split by group).

🛏Pensão Alfândega or Guesthouse Avenida, São Tomé town (~£25–40/night)

• →Hire local driver-guide for south island day tour (~£40–60/car)
• →Stop at Pico Cão Grande viewpoint
• →Visit Boca do Inferno natural blowhole
• →Seven Waves Beach (Praia das Sete Ondas) — swimming and relaxation
• →Lunch at Pensão Mionga, Porto Alegre (~£10–15)

Take the short domestic flight from São Tomé to Príncipe (~35 mins, ~£60–90 one way, book via STP Airways). Check into a guesthouse in Santo António, the island's tiny capital. Príncipe is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and one of the most biodiverse islands in the world. Spend the afternoon exploring Santo António's colourful streets and the nearby Praia Banana — widely regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in Africa. Swim in crystal-clear waters and watch the fishing boats return at sunset.

🚌STP Airways domestic flight São Tomé to Príncipe (~£70).

🛏Roça Abade Guesthouse or Belo Monte Guesthouse, Príncipe (~£35–55/night)

• →Morning domestic flight São Tomé to Príncipe (~£70, book via STP Airways)
• →Check in to guesthouse in Santo António
• →Walk around Santo António — colonial architecture and local market
• →Afternoon at Praia Banana — swimming, snorkelling
• →Sunset at the beach watching fishing boats return

Full day exploring Príncipe's extraordinary coastline. Hire a local mototaxi or arrange a guide with a 4x4 (~£30–50) to reach the island's most remote beaches. Visit Baia das Agulhas (Bay of Spires) — dramatic volcanic rock spires rising from the sea, a UNESCO-listed landscape. Continue to Praia Macaco and Praia Boi for more untouched white-sand beaches perfect for snorkelling. Hike to a viewpoint toward Pico Papagaio (Parrot Peak) through primary rainforest. Return to Santo António for dinner at a local spot.

🚌Local 4x4 hire or mototaxi (~£35 for the day).

🛏Roça Abade Guesthouse or Belo Monte Guesthouse, Príncipe (~£35–55/night)

• →Hire local 4x4 guide for island exploration (~£30–50)
• →Visit Baia das Agulhas (Bay of Spires) — volcanic rock formations
• →Swim and snorkel at Praia Macaco and Praia Boi
• →Hike toward Pico Papagaio viewpoint through rainforest
• →Explore Santo António market — local produce and crafts

Morning flight back to São Tomé (~£70). Check back into your São Tomé guesthouse. Spend the afternoon on a self-arranged north island exploration: hire a local driver (~£35–50) to visit the savannah landscapes and baobab trees at the island's northern tip, local fishing villages, and the Sea Turtle Protection Centre (MARAPA) near Santa Cruz where you can learn about conservation efforts. Stop at a working cocoa plantation such as Roça Monte Café for a fascinating tour (~£5). Finish the day at a quiet north coast beach for snorkelling.

🚌STP Airways domestic flight Príncipe to São Tomé (~£70). Hired local driver for north tour (~£40).

🛏Pensão Alfândega or Guesthouse Avenida, São Tomé town (~£25–40/night)

• →Morning flight Príncipe to São Tomé (~£70)
• →Visit Sea Turtle Protection Centre (MARAPA) near Santa Cruz
• →Hired driver for north island tour (~£35–50)
• →Savannah, baobab trees, and northern beaches exploration
• →Roça Monte Café cocoa plantation tour (~£5)
• →Beach time for snorkelling and relaxation

Fly from São Tomé back to Libreville (~£150–250). Check into your Libreville guesthouse. In the afternoon, head to Akanda National Park, just 20 km north of Libreville — easily reachable by shared taxi or arranged mototaxi (~£10–15). The park is a stunning mosaic of mangrove forests, mudflats, and beaches. Visit Ndossi Village inside the park, and choose between kayaking through mangroves (arrange locally ~£15–25) or a walking trail. The park is known for massive migratory bird flocks and sea turtles.

🚌STP Airways/TAP flight São Tomé to Libreville (~£200). Shared taxi to Akanda (~£12).

🛏Hôtel Louis or La Falaise Guesthouse, Libreville (~£30–45/night)

• →Morning flight São Tomé to Libreville (~£200 estimated)
• →Check in to Libreville guesthouse
• →Afternoon shared taxi or mototaxi to Akanda National Park (~£12)
• →Visit Ndossi Village inside the park
• →Kayaking through mangroves (~£20) or walking trail
• →Birdwatching — migratory species and marine birds

Final morning in Libreville. Head to Marché du Mont-Bouët for last-minute souvenir shopping — look for carved wooden masks, woven baskets, and locally produced honey. Grab a Gabonese breakfast of beignets and café au lait at a street stall. Taxi to the airport in good time for your international flight home (~£15). Note: confirm your yellow fever vaccination certificate is on you — it is required for entry into Gabon and you may be asked to show it on departure.

🚌Taxi to Libreville Léon-Mba International Airport (~£15).

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Morning visit to Marché du Mont-Bouët for souvenirs
• →Street breakfast — beignets and café au lait
• →Confirm yellow fever certificate is in your travel documents
• →Taxi to Libreville international airport (~£15)
• →International departure