Our tour will take you to a vast reserve in central Gabon, La Lope, which holds not only the highest population of primates in the world but also with its multiple habitats has an astonishing list of bird species. Although most of our time will be spent in the jungle, we will visit an area near the Congo Highlands that holds many grassland species in a mixed Miombo woodland and heath land habitat characterized by unusual stunted protea-like scrub. Here near Franceville we will wander over the plains in search of Congo Moorchat, try to flush a Finsch's Francolin and watch Denham's and White-bellied Bustards striding across the veld. By the time we finally return to Libreville we will have seen a superb selection of Central and West African birds in one of the few countries in the region where pristine wilderness is not just a memory.

Day 1: Arrive in Libreville, Transfer to our 9 am flight to Omboue from where we head by Landrover to Loango Lodge at Iguella.

Day 2 - 5: The village of Iguella lies on the edge of a large lagoon that forms the boundary of the Petit Loango National park. The habitat is mixed savannah (grassland) Swamp and rain forests crossed with rivers and lagoons. This area holds some of the largest densities of forest elephants in the world and it is not uncommon to find both forest elephants and forest buffaloes on the beach here. We will travel far up the lagoon and spend sometime camped far up one of these rivers at Akaka. We expect to see some really great birds in this region including, Black-headed Bee-eater. Other birds possible include White-backed Night-heron, White-crested Tiger-bittern, Olive Ibis, Hartlaub's Duck, Black Guinea-fowl, Knurling Rail, African Finfoot, Forbes Plover, Blue-headed Wood-dove, Vermiculated Fishing Owl, Pels Fishing Owl, Bates Nightjar, Cassin's, Sabine's, and Black Spinetails, and a number of different kingfishers and hornbills. An array of enigmatic mammals has been seen here on previous trips including manatee, African Golden Cat and Red River Hog, as well as the usual forest elephants and forest buffaloes. On day 5 we transfer by plane to Libreville, and depart at 21:30 with the evening train to la Lopé.

Day 6: The train arrives 02:00 at la Lopé and we transfer to our hotel to rest for an afternoon excursion.

Day 7 - 10: Our stay in La Lope National park will be spent in to distinct regions. The Lope lodge on the Ogoue River is set in open savannah and while based here we will make short sorties into the national park and surroundings. This newly created National park has a mosaic of habitats from towering gallery forests to open grasslands and pristine rainforests. While the most unique camp in the heart of the forest at Mekongo is set in some of the finest forests you will see in Africa. We will spend most of our time at a newly built camp. In this area there is a small chance of finding the elusive Piccathartes that has been seen here fairly regularly. The area has an impressive bird species list of well over 500 and we should encounter some very special forest dwelling birds.

Those we should see are Congo Serpent Eagle, Long-tailed Hawk, Red-necked Buzzard, Cassin's Hawk Eagle, Forest Francolin, White-spotted Flufftail, Forbe's Plover, Blue-headed Wood Dove, African Grey Parrot, Great Blue, Guinea and Verreaux's Tauracos, Olive Longtailed Cuckoo, Gabon Coucal, Fraser's Eagle Owl, Sjstedt's Barred Owl, Bate's Nightjar, Sabine's and Cassin's Spinetail, Blue-headed, Black, Whitethroated and Whitecheeked Bee-eaters, Black and Redbilled Dwarf Hornbills, Pied, Piping, Black and White Casqued, and Black Wattled Hornbills, Bristle nosed and Grey-throated Barbets, Speckled, Red-rumped and Yellow-throated Tinker Barbets, Piculet, Buff-spotted, Brown-eared, Gabon and Yellow-crested Woodpeckers, Rufous-sided and Grey-headed Broadbills, African River Martin, Red-throated Cliff Swallow, hoards of Greenbulls, and bulbuls, Fire-crested and Brown-chested Alethes, Forest Robin, Lowland Akalat, Dja River Warbler, piles of Cisticolas, Vanga Flycatcher, Yellowbellied, Chestnut, White-spotted and Scarlet-spectacled Wattle-eyes, Fraser's, Brown, Violet-tailed, Yellow-chinned, Bate's, Reichenbach's, Tiny, Johanna's and many more sunbirds, Blue-billed, Crested, Cassin's, Redheaded and Red-bellied Malimbes and many more species of birds. The shy Forest Elephant and Red Buffalo can sometimes be seen over the grasslands and amongst the heady array of primates here we might glimpse both Gorilla and Chimpanzee. On day 10 we depart with the night-train to Ivindo.

Day 11 - 14: An early start sets us on the road to Ivindo and to the newly opened bai at Langoue. We walk through the forest to the swamp clearing [Called Bais]. Langoue Bai is one of these and there are three platforms in trees along the edge of the bai that facilitate wildlife viewing. Guides are available to accompany you to the bai and on forest walks. Paths around Langoué pass through spectacular tropical forest with impressively large trees and exceptionally high biodiversity. Animals such as red river hogs, monkeys, birds and occasionally gorillas and chimpanzees can sometimes be seen while walking through the forest. On day 14 we depart with the night train to Libreville.

Day 15: Arrive Libreville and transfer to our hotel.

Day 16: Libreville, Akanda excursion with picnic. Depart home in the evening.