Gabon
Gabon lies on the equator along Central Africa's Atlantic coast and is one of the continent's most heavily forested countries. Around 85% of its territory is covered by tropical rainforest, forming part of the western Congo Basin. The landscape includes lowland rainforest, forested mountains, major rivers, coastal lagoons, mangroves and open savannas. Particularly striking are places such as Loango National Park, where dense rainforest and savanna reach almost directly to Atlantic beaches. The climate is hot and humid, with high rainfall supporting extensive, relatively intact ecosystems.
Overview
Gabon is an outstanding destination for Congo Basin forest birds, with specialties including Black-headed Bee-eater, Fiery-breasted Bushshrike, Black-casqued Hornbill and several forest turacos, pittas and wattle-eyes. The Lopé region is especially valuable because forest and savanna meet, while Ivindo National Park protects vast rainforest and spectacular river systems. Coastal areas around Loango add shorebirds, waterbirds and open-country species. Gabon is also one of the better places to combine Central African birding with forest elephants, western lowland gorillas and other rainforest wildlife. Tourism infrastructure exists around several national parks, but specialist birding remains relatively undeveloped. Dense forest makes many species difficult to see, and reaching remote sites can involve poor roads, boats and substantial logistical planning, making experienced local guides particularly valuable.
Top 10 target species
| Species | Annual frequency | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus | 46.1% | 42.8% | 39.0% | 51.7% | 45.2% | 47.3% | 50.9% | 44.0% | 46.7% | 45.1% | 47.8% | 43.7% | 49.3% |
| Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata | 35.2% | 35.5% | 31.5% | 43.5% | 32.5% | 34.3% | 33.8% | 38.5% | 37.0% | 26.3% | 37.8% | 36.4% | 35.2% |
| Palm-nut Vulture Gypohierax angolensis | 29.8% | 31.7% | 28.1% | 26.7% | 23.1% | 20.4% | 38.7% | 41.7% | 36.7% | 24.6% | 33.5% | 26.4% | 26.0% |
| Woodland Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis | 29.5% | 33.2% | 35.3% | 38.5% | 25.2% | 30.8% | 27.2% | 24.4% | 30.9% | 22.7% | 25.1% | 26.6% | 34.4% |
| Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus | 27.5% | 24.3% | 16.9% | 32.2% | 20.8% | 24.5% | 25.6% | 34.7% | 38.0% | 25.1% | 27.5% | 28.8% | 31.9% |
| African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus | 26.0% | 24.3% | 15.3% | 28.5% | 24.0% | 26.6% | 26.1% | 26.3% | 28.7% | 24.8% | 22.8% | 28.0% | 36.4% |
| African Thrush Turdus pelios | 25.2% | 26.1% | 15.9% | 28.2% | 25.3% | 27.2% | 23.0% | 25.6% | 27.3% | 19.8% | 24.3% | 29.6% | 30.5% |
| Little Swift Apus affinis | 24.2% | 16.9% | 17.8% | 25.2% | 21.6% | 32.2% | 21.4% | 22.9% | 22.4% | 25.4% | 24.0% | 29.6% | 30.7% |
| Lesser Striped Swallow Cecropis abyssinica | 23.3% | 18.2% | 21.4% | 15.8% | 19.0% | 15.8% | 35.0% | 31.4% | 33.1% | 26.6% | 22.7% | 18.5% | 22.5% |
| Congo Pied Hornbill Lophoceros fasciatus | 23.2% | 20.7% | 24.1% | 20.3% | 19.5% | 16.8% | 25.0% | 33.5% | 29.7% | 20.4% | 23.5% | 24.9% | 19.7% |