Pongara
Mangrove, forest and turtle beaches on the far shore of the estuary, twenty minutes by boat from the capital.
- Arrival
- Libreville, Léon-Mba · LBV
- To the park
- About 15 to 25 minutes by boat
- Private jets
- At LBV, then across by boat
- Best time
- June to August
The city
Across the water from Libreville.
Pongara has been protected since 2002. Its 922 square kilometres run south from Pointe Denis along the Atlantic shore and hold the largest mangroves in Gabon, about a quarter of all the protected mangrove in Africa. Behind them lie forest and savannah, with elephants, buffalo, monkeys and some 160 kinds of forest bird.
Pointe Denis takes its name from King Denis Rapontchombo, who signed a treaty with the French in the nineteenth century. Boats leave the Port Môle marina and Michèle Marine, mostly at weekends, and the crossing takes fifteen to twenty-five minutes. Mid-year is dry and cooler. Turtles come ashore in the rains, from late in the year into February.
- Turtle nights Leatherbacks lay on the beaches from November to February, watched over by eco-guards.
- The mangroves The largest in the country, about a quarter of all the protected mangrove in Africa.
- Pointe Denis White sand and coconut palms facing the city across the water.
Arriving
Land in Libreville, cross by boat.
Every arrival is through Léon-Mba International in Libreville; from the city marinas a boat crosses the estuary to Pointe Denis in under half an hour.
- Lagos 1 h 35
- Luanda 1 h 45
- Mykonos 6 h 05
- Barcelona 6 h 20 long-range jet
- Miami 13 h 10 long-range jet
When to go
June to August.
These are Libreville's figures, across the estuary. June to August is the dry season, with highs of 26 or 27 °C and very little rain. The turtles nest later, in the wet months around the turn of the year.
- 29° J 241 28°
- 29° F 232 28°
- 30° M 344 29°
- 29° A 326 29°
- 29° M 251 28°
- 27° J 49 27°
- 26° J 7 25°
- 26° A 16 25°
- 27° S 116 26°
- 27° O 439 27°
- 28° N 469 27°
- 28° D 288 28°
Where to stay
Across the estuary in Libreville.
Shown for information. We have no arrangement with any of these hotels.
-
Radisson Blu Okoumé Palace On the Libreville seafront, with its own beach and pool, a short drive from the marinas.
Where to dine
Dinner across the estuary.
There is nowhere of note in the park, and no restaurant guide covers Gabon. These are the two dearest tables among the best rated on Tripadvisor in Libreville.
- Roma Restaurant Tripadvisor, No. 1 in Libreville Italian and grill $$$$ Libreville, about 23 km across the estuary
- Le Phare du Large Rated 4.3 on Tripadvisor French $$$$ Libreville, about 23 km across the estuary
Elsewhere in Gabon
More reasons to come.
Flying to Pongara?
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A Business or First Class seat on a scheduled airline, or an aircraft of your own. Tell us the date and how many are travelling, and we reply with one final price, our margin included.