Description
Book SynopsisBradt's Gabon remains the only English-language guide dedicated exclusively to what is considered by many to be 'Africa's last Eden' thanks to its sparse population and perhaps the highest percentage of forest cover of any country in the world. This new edition has been fully updated and covers all recent developments, including those in the national parks. Several new maps have been added (taking the total to 32) and most sketch maps have been upgraded. Also covered is the discovery of the extraordinary orange-coloured crocodiles living in the Abanda cave system. Full background, natural history, conservation, practical and health information is accompanied by a nine-chapter regional breakdown of the country, covering each of Gabon's provinces: Libreville and Estuaire, Moyen-Ogooué, Ngounié, Ogooué-Maritime, Nyanga, Woleu-Ntem, Ogooué-Ivindo, Haut-Ogooué and Ogooué-Lolo. Visitors to Gabon will come face to face with nature in its rawest, wildest, most untouched form: from the impenetrable forests of the interior to the grassy plateauxs of Haut-Ogooué and the windblown white-sand beaches of the coast - the latter known worldwide for the gorilla, buffalo, and elephant that come to wander the sandy shores and the 'surfing hippo' that - astonishingly - come to play in the frothy surf. Gabon is more than just nature, however, and culture lovers will be taken with one of the region's finest carving traditions (in both wood and soapstone) - mbigou, floored by the furious tempos played on the mongongo mouth bow, and transported to another place entirely by the all-night drums, dance and fire ofa traditional Bwiti ceremony. Bradt's Gabon offers the most thorough and up-to-date information available and is an ideal companion for wildlife enthusiasts, Africa aficionados and completists and overlanders travelling along Africa's west coast.
Table of ContentsIntroduction PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION Chapter 1 Background Information Geography, Climate, History, Government and politics, Economy, Education, People, Language, Religion, Culture, Sport Chapter 2 Natural History and Conservation Habitats and vegetation, Conservation, Wildlife Chapter 3 Practical Information When to visit, Highlights, Suggested itineraries, Tourist information, Tour operators, Red tape, Embassies, Getting there and away, Health, Safety, What to take, Money and budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays and events, Shopping, Media and communications, Cultural etiquette, Travelling positively PART TWO THE GUIDE Chapter 4 Libreville and Estuaire History, Getting there and away, Orientation, Getting around, Tourist information and local tour operators, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Entertainment and nightlife, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Around Libreville and Estuaire Chapter 5 Ogooué-Maritime Port-Gentil, Omboue and Lagune Fernan Vaz, Parc National de Loango, Gamba Chapter 6 Moyen-Ogooué Lambarene, Ndjole Chapter 7 Ngounié Mouila, Sindara, Fougamou, Massif du Chaillu Chapter 8 Nyanga Tchibanga, Parc National de Moukalaba-Doudou, Mayumba Chapter 9 Ogooué-Lolo Koulamoutou, Lastoursville Chapter 10 Haut-Ogooué Franceville, Moanda, Mounana, Bakoumba and Parc de la Lekedi, East of Franceville, Okondja Chapter 11 Ogooué-Ivindo Parc National de la Lope, Makokou, Parc National d'Ivindo, Mekambo Chapter 12 Woleu-Ntem Oyem 214, Bitam, North of Bitam, Mitzic, Parc National de Minkebe Appendix 1 Language Appendix 2 Further Information Index
