A Client's Story: My Journey Through Gabon and the Republic of the Congo

28.01.2026 14:46

The story below is inspired by real events and was shared with us by one of our loyal clients. We publish it exactly for what it is: an honest, personal travel experience that reflects the kind of journeys we design - authentic, immersive, and off the beaten track.

My journey began in Gabon, also known as “Africa’s Last Eden”. A tall, handsome man took me to a pleasant hotel with a pool in the middle of Libreville. The 30-degree temperatures and the fact that the hotel restaurant served plantains made me instantly forget my everyday life back home.

Libreville is a rather small capital city, but it still has a lot of culture to offer. One of the highlights of the capital was definitely the National Museum with its collection of masks. The best parts of Gabon are located inland, in the dense green rainforest, sometimes interrupted by small savannas. To get there, we used local transportation - the night train - which offered a real immersion into the everyday life of ordinary people.

In Lopé, we stayed in pretty lodges located by the river, where we indulged in culinary delights for two days. In between, there was plenty of time to explore the forest by car or on foot. Right in the hilly grass savannas, we were able to observe forest elephants and buffalo, native to the land. You can actually get these animals right in front of your camera lens and simply enjoy their presence. Given the climate of the country, the presence of mosquitoes was not very noticeable.

Our next stop was Nyonie, a protected area between the jungle and the sea, best reached by boat from Libreville. The journey leads through mangrove forests to a simple lodge with a very French feel, serving boeuf bourguignon and unlimited beer. Here too, I saw forest elephants, buffalo, and even a marabou stork.

When observing animals in Gabon, it is important to remember that this is not the Serengeti. In these dense equatorial forests, animals are much more scattered than on wide savannas. If you want to see mandrills, you have to plan an extra three days and hike deeper into the forest. Nevertheless, Gabon was an absolute highlight - if only for its unspoiled landscapes and unique wildlife.

One of my last memories from Gabon was the Bwiti ceremony, which has roots similar to voodoo or Orisha ceremonies, but has a magic all of its own. The evening scene by the fire, accompanied by peculiar music, created a very special atmosphere that left me deeply impressed.

Our flight to Brazzaville took only a couple of hours, but by the evening I was already in another world - another Africa. A less prosperous country where new adventures awaited. The Republic of the Congo captivates visitors with a capital city three times the size of Libreville. There are different churches, lively markets, and the opportunity to take a boat trip on the Congo River. From the river, you can see Brazzaville on one side and Kinshasa on the other.

Our local guide even managed to get us access to the revolving restaurant on the top floor of the luxurious Hilton Hotel. The contrast to the bars with plastic chairs down by the rapids could not have been greater.

The highlight of this short stay in the Republic of the Congo was a visit to the Lesio Louna Gorilla Sanctuary, where I had the opportunity to see gorillas that have been released into the wild or are in the process of being reintroduced. The experience felt like something straight out of a movie. During our boat ride through the jungle, we were also able to see wild hippos.

Because it rains so often in Lesio Louna, the park rangers are well equipped with rain suits - luckily.

Back in Brazzaville, we encountered the famous Sapeurs. This group of very elegantly dressed gentlemen brings life to the streets of the capital and celebrates their love for fashion while promoting joy, peace, and personal dignity.

So, if you like dense green forests, unspoiled nature, encounters off the beaten track - and plantains - then book this wonderful combination of Gabon and the Republic of the Congo. It is both an adventure and a pleasure.