tour operators gabon

Gabon Travel and Tours

Gabon Travel and Tours offers a wide variety of tours in Gabon, focusing on quality, honesty and offering the best service in the country. Gabon is a tough nut to crack, as together with its neighbouring countries it has little infrastructure and apart from a few high-end lodges, barely any tourism. Prices in the country are notoriously high, even sometimes exceeding the ones in the two Congos. The country has a lot of challenges such as bad roads, heavy rains and barely any hotels which are to western standards.

Our agency offers over thirty tours all over the country and we can also help you with tailored expeditions, car and boat rental, as well as chartering planes and helicopters. We’re also capable of helping out film crews getting the necessary paperwork to shoot their documentaries and take care of their logistics

Come see it all safely and affordably with us!

Our company consists of local and international Gabon-enthusiasts each with their own speciality. For Libreville we have our younger crew ready to show you the city and introducing you to anything new what is popping. For the national parks you can go with one of our many experienced guides and researchers who were all born and raised in Gabon and have decades of experience traveling and exploring the countries in all its deepest corners. As two of our crew members are geologists having mapped all the outskirts of the country, our team has an extensive knowledge of the country and are extremely resourceful for any film crews or researchers coming to the country, as well as wildlife and plant enthusiasts looking for specific experiences.

Laze the Beaches or Blaze the Paths in Gabon!

Tourism in Gabon is slowly commencing, though paused by the pandemic, and the first lodges and hotels with western standards are popping up. There is a strong focus on ecotourism and the country has a few unique activities such as sport fishing and locations such as pristine beaches and deep forests which are impossible to beat by any other countries. It also boasts a wide variety of wildlife and it’s the only place in the world where you can see large mammals such as hippos, elephants, buffalos, gorillas and leopards stroll on the beach.

Because it’s such a hard country to travel with remote destinations, it also means that you are completely off the beaten path and will often be the sole visitor in the national parks or the tropical beaches. It’s perfect if you’re looking for authentic adventures, escaping the classic tourist routine. Explore a country full of untouched rainforest, stand eye to eye with a gorilla, watch the largest gatherings of mandrills in the world and see elephants walking on the beach. Come join us on our trips with our professional guides and see what this fantastic country has to offer. Choose from our different packages or contact us for your own customised trip. Our tours are 100 % reliable and safe and we’ll do everything for you to have the adventure of a lifetime. Thank you for your interest and choosing us as your travel agency.

• Coastal Adventure (7 days)
• Port Gentil and Omboué Exploration
• Five-Day Fishing Adventure
• Eco-Camping at Lopé National Park (BUDGET)
• Coast to Jungle Epic Exotic Eco-Expedition (BUDGET)
• Kongou Waterfalls: Eco-tourism at Ivindo National Park (BUDGET)
• Ivindo Deep Forest Exploration: Budget EcoTour in Momba Baï
• Ivindo-Langoué: Ultimate Exploration Trip
• Essential Rainforest Exo-Exploration: Lopé and Ivindo National Park Budget Tour
• Turtles and Whales at Pongara National Park
• The Surfing Hippos of Loango National Park
• Fishing Adventure at Loango National Park
• The Southern Circuit: Batéké National Park, Lékédi and Poubara Falls
• Gorilla Budget Tour in Gabon: Moukalaba-Doudou NP
• Budget Wildlife Tour In Gabon: Gorillas And Lake Oguemoué
• The Gorillas of Moukalaba-Doudou And Coastal Escape In Mayumba
• Grand Budget Tour in Gabon: Gorilla Tracking, Safari And Mayumba
• Two-Day Budget Safari at Wonga Wongue Reserve
• Three-Day Budget Safari at Wonga Wongue Reserve
• Two Days of Luxury Relaxing in Pongara National Park
• Port-Gentil Tropical Island Escape (4 days)
• Two-Day Fishing Adventure
• Albert Schweitzer Circuit (2 days)
• Ecotourism in the Heart of Gabon: Lambarene and Lake Ogouémoué
• Crystal Mountains National Park: Two-Day Budget Exploration
• Gabon Complete Helicopter Safari
• Akanda National Park Overnight
• Tropical Escape near Libreville
• The Hunt for Gabon’s Big Fish
• Whale Watching
• Gabon from the Sky: Epic Helicopter Adventure
• Libreville Guided City Tour
• Jetski-Adventure in Libreville
• Quad and Buggy Adventure in Pointe-Denis
• Paramotor Adventures in Libreville
• Gabonese Cooking Workshop
• Port-Gentil Half Day Tour
• Day Tour at Akanda National Park: Raponda Walker, close to Libreville
• Ndossi Village Relaxation Day in Akanda National Park outside of Libreville
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• Cheap daily car rental in Libreville
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• Film permits and Research Projects in Gabon
• Rent A Bus In Libreville
• Private Transfer: Cameroon To Gabon
• Private Transfer: Gabon To Congo
• Boat, Yacht, Catamaran Hire in Sao Tome
• Travel in Gabon

• Travel Packages >
• Gabon tours >

Gabon tours

Loango is Africa’s Last Eden: The naturalist Mike Fay has referred to Loango, one of Gabon thirteen national parks, as ‘Africa’s Last Eden’. This is also where the photographer and conservationist Nick Nichols from National Geographic took his famous pictures of surfing hippos and elephants on the beach. 70% covered by wildlife rich rainforest. But there’s plenty more to discover in the rainforests and waters besides hippos, for Gabon is home to forest elephants and western lowland gorillas and nearly 200 other mammal species, 600 species of birds, and more than 8,000 plant species.

3 nights Loango – dry season- Juni-September

Day 1 Arrival at Loango Lodge, enjoy a boat tour of the Estuary on the Iguela lagoon. After this special boat trip whereby you can see many bird species you will enjoy a few sundowners at the beach, dinner at lodge, overnight Loango Lodge.

Day 2 Depart Loango Lodge by boat to Yatouga Gorilla research camp, search for the gorillas and experience them in their natural habitat. After this great experience travel to Akaka Camp, overnight Akaka Camp.

Day 3 Enjoy and explore the immediate area around Akaka, travel by boat to Sitatunga Point to be picked up to go to Lourie Wilderness Camp. Enjoy the Lourie area with a safari vehicle and have a BBQ at the camp. Overnight Lourie Wilderness Camp.

Day 4 Travel back to Loango Lodge and start your journey to Port Gentil for your flight back to Libreville.

4 nights Loango – dry season – June-September

Day 1 Arrival at Loango Lodge, enjoy a boat tour of the Estuary on the Iguela lagoon. After this special boat trip whereby you can see many bird species you will enjoy a few sundowners at the beach, dinner at lodge, overnight Loango Lodge .

Day 3 Enjoy and explore the area around Akaka, by boat on the Ngowe & Echiera rivers and do a nice hike in the incredible scenery and try to spot the lesser seen animals like chimpanzees or even leopard. Overnight in Akaka Camp.

Day 4 Travel by boat to Sitatunga Point to be picked up to go to Lourie Wilderness Camp. Enjoy the Lourie area with a safari vehicle and see it’s savanna, yet another remarkable part of the eco system in Loango NP. Have a BBQ at the camp. Overnight Lourie Wilderness Camp.

Day 5 Travel back to Loango Lodge and start your journey to Port Gentil for your flight back to Libreville.

6 nights Loango – dry season – June-September

Day 3 Depart Akaka for a hike to petit Loango, this 16 km hike will take about 3-4 hours to complete. The hike will take you to a great costal forest, wild beaches and small lagoons where hippos are living. Dinner and overnight in Petit Loango camp.

Day 4 Hike back to Akaka camp enjoying the beautiful scenery. After lunch some time to relax and in the late afternoon a boat excursion. Dinner and overnight in Akaka camp listening to the forest sounds of the bush.

Day 5 Travel by boat to Sitatunga Point to be picked up to go to Lourie Wilderness Camp. Enjoy the Lourie area with a safari vehicle and see it’s savanna, yet another remarkable part of the eco system in Loango NP. Have a BBQ at the camp. Overnight Lourie Wilderness Camp.

Day 6 Early morning hike in the Lourie area to wake up with the beautiful surroundings. After the hike take a road transfer to Loango Lodge for lunch and have the afternoon at leisure. If you want to do another excursion you are more then welcome to ask your guide. Think of whale watching when you come in the right season. Dinner and overnight in Loango Lodge.

Day 7 Start your journey to Port Gentil for your flight back to Libreville.

3 nights Loango – wet season – October-May

Day 2 Depart Loango Lodge by boat to Yatouga Gorilla research camp, search for the gorillas and experience them in their natural habitat. After this great experience travel with a safari vehicle to Tassi Savanna Camp. During the drive you can see some nice sighting. Dinner at the camp, overnight at Tassi Savanna Camp.

Day 3 Today you’ll spend a full day in the Tassi Area. This will include hikes, drives and kayaking. The Tassi area offers some of the best game viewing opportunities in the rainy season. Buffalo, elephant and red river hog is common and the latter can be approached on foot up to a few meters. After lunch travel towards Loango Lodge via the Louri area. This part of the park is renowned for elephants visiting the beach in the afternoons and it will make for some unique sightings.

Day 4 Start your journey to Port Gentil for your flight back to Libreville.

6 nights Loango – wet season – October-May

Day 1 Arrival at Loango Lodge, enjoy a boat tour of the Estuary on the Iguela lagoon. After this special boat trip whereby you can see many bird species you will enjoy a few sundowners at the beach, dinner at lodge, overnight Loango Lodge

Day 5 Travel by boat to Sitatunga Point to be picked up to go to Lourie Wilderness Camp. Enjoy the Lourie area with a safari vehicle and see it’s savanna, yet another remarkable part of the eco system in Loango NP. Have a BBQ at the camp. Overnight Lourie Wilderness Camp

Day 6 Early morning hike in the Lourie area to wake up with the beautiful surroundings. After the hike take a road transfer to Loango Lodge for lunch and have the afternoon at leisure. If you want to do another excursion you are more than welcome to ask your guide. Think of whale watching when you come in the right season. Dinner and overnight in Loango Lodge.

Tours  Gabon >

Tours Príncipe >

Combination Tour >

Africa’s Eden offers several attractive tours in Gabon and Príncipe. From just a weekend in Loango or Roça Belo Monte, up to 13 days combination tour Gabon-Príncipe. read more

In 2002, late President Omar Bongo Ondimba put Gabon firmly on the map as an important future ecotourism destination by nominating more than 11% of the nation’s territory as National Park – a new standard in African eco-tourism and conservation!

Biodiversity

In addition to the conservation activities together with our partners: Max Planck Institute and the Fernan-Vaz Gorilla Project, Africa’s Eden also supports individual researchers, mostly in terms of on-the-ground logistical support and accommodation. read more

A rare and exotic tropical gem, where tourism is relatively undeveloped. Wildlife rich forests cover 70% of its landmass, its vast picturesque coastline is predominantly wild and unspoiled, and its inland and coastal waters teem with myriad species of fish, reptiles and marine mammals.

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Gabon: A cultural gem

This West African gem is a captivating blend of cultures and history. A crossroads of influences, Gabon’s rich past as a trade hub is still felt today. Next to the the beautiful landscapes, you’ll find a place where modern chaos fades, revealing another side of the country that has unique cultural heritage. The welcoming spirit of the Gabonese people adds a special touch, making it an enriching journey into a country where the past and present seamlessly intertwine. Book your trip and join us to explore this amazing country!

Group Tour: Highlights Tour Gabon

Join our group tour of Gabon in November. Travel with a small, fun group. Highlights : Libreville, Lambarene, and Pongara National Park.

Private Tour: 4 Days Gabon Tour

A quick private tour to Gabon. Highlights : Libreville, Lake Onague, and Pongara National Park.

Name: Gabonese republic Capital: Libreville Population: 2.2 million Surface area: 267,667 km² Language: French Neighbouring countries: Cameroon , Republic of the Congo , Equatorial Guinea

The preparation of our trip and the assessment and handling of the security was good, efficient and professional. We ‘d like to advise everyone who wants to visit Afghanistan or one of the other (challenging) destinations of CultureRoad to make use of the expertise and service of Rik and his team . reinout prakke (The netherlands)

Libreville, the capital of Gabon, is situated along the Atlantic coast and serves as the country’s political and economic center. Known for its modern architecture, vibrant markets, and lush green spaces, the city reflects a blend of traditional and contemporary elements.

Lope National Park

Lope National Park in central Gabon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its diverse wildlife and varied landscapes, including rainforests and savannas. The park is home to elephants, gorillas, and other species, making it a popular destination for nature lovers.

Loango National Park

Loango National Park in Gabon is a stunning place with beautiful beaches, lush rainforests, and diverse wildlife like elephants and hippos, making it a fantastic spot for nature lovers to explore and enjoy.

Gabon was home to Bantu tribes for centuries. In the 15th century, European explorers, including the Portuguese, arrived on its shores. By the 19th century, Gabon became a significant trade hub, drawing attention for its resources like ivory and rubber, which were highly sought after.

During the colonial era, Gabon was part of French Equatorial Africa. It gained independence in 1960, marking a crucial chapter in its history. Since then, the country has embraced its cultural diversity, blending traditional Bantu customs with the legacies of European colonization.

This mix is reflected in Gabon’s art, traditions, and daily life, making it a fascinating destination with a unique historical background.

I am interested in group tours to Gabon

I am interested in individual trips to gabon, already know what you are looking for, blog posts about gabon.

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Gabon Safaris

Gabon is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, known as 'Africa's Last Living Eden'. It boasts an exceptional abundance of undiscovered wildlife experiences with outstanding eco-adventures. With 11.25% of the country being national parkland, it is a remarkable wilderness, home to lowland gorillas, chimpanzees, mandrills, turtles, and whales.

The Gabon Safari Experience

• Primate Experiences: Gabon boasts diverse primate species, including gorillas, mandrills, and chimpanzees, making it a top destination for primate enthusiasts.
• Rainforest Exploration: Explore Gabon's six National Parks in the second-largest rainforest, featuring mangroves, beaches, and tropical meadows.
• River Cruises: Glide through Gabon's rainforest waterways on boat tours, spotting abundant wildlife along the riverbanks.
• Marine Life: Discover Gabon's rich marine ecosystem, home to sea turtles, whales, and a variety of sea creatures.
• Visit Kongou Falls : Experience the beauty of Kongou Falls in Ivindo National Park, with its cascading rocky steps and refreshing pools.
• Beach Exploration: Enjoy Gabon's beautiful beaches, perfect for swimming, snorkelling, and relaxation, and are known as nesting grounds for sea turtles.
• Local Culture: Explore Gabon's diverse indigenous tribes through guided tours, witnessing traditional dances and rituals in local villages.

Why NWS for your Gabon Safari?

Natural World Safaris (NWS) is an expert in gorilla tracking expeditions. Our team has extensive experience in tracking gorillas in various countries. We create tailor-made itineraries for wildlife safaris, cultural explorations, and beach vacations. We are committed to responsible travel and sustainable tourism, ensuring our trips have a positive impact on the environment and local people.

Read about Encounters with Primates

Safaris & Planning

Gabon Jungle & Beach Explorer Safari

Unparalleled beauty ranges across Gabon's varying landscapes, with unexplored wilderness as far as the eye can see. Rolling savannahs and impenetrable rainforests shelter large gatherings of colobus, chimpanzee, and lowland gorillas, whilst a labyrinth of entangled mangroves frame the glistening coast forming a hotspot for migrating sea turtles, humpback whales, and hippos surfing the waves. This unforgettable expedition showcases some of the best of equatorial Africa, a surreal experience plummeting you into a lost world of idyllic wilderness. Gabon is, without a doubt, a must-see destination for everyone with a spirited interest in the natural world.

Talk to a Gabon Destination Specialist

How much does gabon cost.

A 9-day safari in Gabon starts at $14,500 per person. It includes gorilla permits, accommodation and private guides. Contact us to join the waitlist for future trips.

Where to stay in Gabon?

Gabon has a variety of accommodations from luxurious hotels to budget-friendly guesthouses . The capital, Libreville, offers upscale hotels like Laico Okoume Palace Hotel, Radisson Blu Okoume Palace Hotel, and Intercontinental Libreville Hotel. Nature reserves provide lodges and campsites, such as Loango Lodge in Loango National Park and Mikongo Camp in Ivindo National Park.https://www.naturalworldsafaris.com/africa/gabon/when-to-go

When to go to Gabon?

The best time to visit Gabon is during the dry season from June to September. The weather is mild and ideal for outdoor activities like hiking, beach activities, and wildlife safaris. The wet season from October to May brings heavy rains and high humidity, making travel difficult, but it's the best time to visit national parks and enjoy birdwatching.

Gabon Wildlife

A guide to wildlife encounters in gabon.

Where to Stay

Where to Go

A guide of where to go in gabon.

What to expect from a trip to Gabon

David was superb and didn't falter in any way! We had great sightings of the lowland gorillas which was very exciting! The trip really was about experiences of which we had many unforgettable ones. We have taken 2 trips with NWS so far and cannot fault the organisation and quality of service all along the line. You go to locations with experiences that cannot be easily found elsewhere. You are unique, well done!

I saw some incredible wildlife in Gabon which was accentuated by the amazing guiding along the way! The accommodation was also superb.

Our overall experience in Gabon was great. The gorilla tracking was excellent and the time at Akaka camp was outstanding!

Gabon Safaris FAQs

What is the best month to visit gabon.

The best time to visit Gabon is from June to September during the dry season when wildlife viewing and gorilla trekking are more favourable. The rainy season from October to May is perfect for birdwatching, but road conditions may be challenging.

Is Gabon safe for travel?

Gabon is generally safe for travel, but be cautious of petty crime, take health precautions, respect local customs and laws and be careful when engaging with wildlife. Stay informed about travel advisories and local conditions to ensure a safe trip.

Do I need a visa for Gabon?

Most visitors to Gabon require a visa to enter the country. The specific visa requirements can vary based on your nationality, purpose of visit, and the length of your stay.

Can you drink tap water in Gabon?

It is generally not recommended to drink tap water in Gabon. The quality of tap water can vary, and there is a risk of waterborne illnesses due to potential contamination. It's safer to rely on bottled water for drinking and cooking purposes.

Is Gabon good for safari?

Gabon is a great destination for safari enthusiasts with unique eco-friendly experiences in pristine rainforests and diverse landscapes. It offers opportunities to encounter wildlife like elephants, gorillas, and chimpanzees, explore protected national parks and coastal areas, and engage in adventurous activities. Gabon provides a responsible safari adventure with a focus on conservation and sustainable tourism practices.

Where can I see gorillas in Gabon?

Moukalaba-Doudou National Park in Gabon is a great place for gorilla sightings. The park is committed to safeguarding gorilla populations. Visitors can experience gorilla trekking , but it's important to plan with a reliable tour operator and follow responsible tourism practices. Stay updated on the latest information before planning your visit.

Destination Management Company

EMBARK ON A JOURNEY: WHERE DREAMS MEET GABON'S BREATHTAKING REALITY...

"Discover Harmonious Tourism: Where Conservation, Development, Beauty, and Wildlife Unite."

Discover Gabon

Welcome to Gabon: Unveiling Wildlife and Culture!

Explore the untamed beauty of Gabon, where abundant wildlife and vibrant culture intertwine. Encounter rare species amidst lush rainforest canopies, from gorillas to forest elephants. Immerse yourself in traditional music, dance, and the warm embrace of Gabonese hospitality. From pristine rainforests to captivating coastlines, embark on a journey that transcends the ordinary. Let Gabon leave an indelible mark on your soul. Your adventure starts here.

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ADVENTURES FOR EVERYONE

Immerse yourself in the wonders of nature and diverse cultures as we curate unforgettable journeys that cater to all walks of life. Whether you seek thrilling adventures, serene escapes, or immersive cultural experiences, our expert team is dedicated to designing sustainable tours that align with your unique interests and preferences. Get ready to embark on a personalized exploration, discovering breathtaking landscapes and fostering a deep connection with the natural world. Let us guide you towards unforgettable moments and create memories that will last a lifetime. Your extraordinary eco-tour begins here.

HEAR FROM OUR EXPLORERS

"Paul provided invaluable support and efficient cultural coordination when we brought in a film crew to produce an episode of Enslaved, starring SAMUEL L JACKSON . The Hollywood star was initiated into the Benga community, the contemporary descendants of his ancestors."  Josh Ponte - production manager.

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Embracing the Rich Tapestry: Discovering the Rites and Traditions of Gabon

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Gabon Wildlife Camps & Safaris | GABON

Gabon Wildlife Camps & Safaris is Gabon's premier national park concessioner. We operate and manage four major national parks within Parcs Gabon's network and offer exclusive and low-impact safaris and accommodations within each park along with exceptional wildlife encounters and conservation programs with western lowland gorillas, forest elephants, mandrills and chimpanzees.

Africa's last living Eden

Parcs Gabon is unapologetically wild and beguiling  —  a time traveller’s rapture.

Coined as ‘Africa’s Last Living Eden,’ each of the 13 designated national parks that fan across Gabon not only offers some of equatorial Africa’s most remarkable biodiversity but also a wealth of undiscovered wildlife experiences and unforgettable eco-adventures like no other.

Take the Trans-Gabon railway to the impenetrable rainforests and rolling savannahs of Lope National Park . Here, you will discover an inscribed UNESCO World Heritage site that serves as a vital ecological refuge for the largest gathering of mandrills as well as suntailed guenon, colobus and chimpanzee. View a family of western lowland gorillas in  Loango National Park — just several of the 35,000 that gather in Gabon’s storied jungles. Be spellbound by herds of forest elephants , sitatunga, golden cat and other exotic creatures that mass at an ancient forest clearing in Ivindo National Park . And for intrepid explorers, immerse yourself in the splendour of the last remnants of equatorial savannah remaining in Africa before you travel back in time to the prehistoric Stone and Iron Age sites that follow an ancient migration and trade route along the Ogooué River.

For an equally surreal experience, trek the untamed trails to the thundering chutes of the Kongou, one of the ‘ Wonders of Ivindo ‘, which plummets into a lost world of idyllic wilderness — also a verdant hotspot for wildlife. Perhaps catch a glimpse of the forest elephants and hippos surfing the waves just beyond the beach at Loango  or witness hundreds of migrating sea turtles  nesting along Pongara National Park’s shores. And for a quirky afternoon adventure, explore the labyrinth of mist-laden rivers, estuaries and entangled mangroves that straddle the coast — places also studded with more wildlife encounters than you could ever imagine. Leopard, chimpanzee, civet, forest buffalo, hundreds of bird species and old and new world monkeys — even record-sized fish, humpback whales and a snapping crocodile or two.

With only a handful of coastal bungalows and low-impact safari and nature camps either erected or suspended in the midst of extraordinary scenery, you will experience Wild Gabon on its own terms.

Welcome to Gabon Wildlife Camps & Safaris —

Gabon’s premier national park concessioner.

gabon's park concessioner

Gabon Wildlife Camps & Safaris [GWC] is a premier destination management company, which operates and manages tourism operations in partnership with Agence National Des Parcs Nationaux Du Gabon [ANPN] in four of Gabon’s network of national parks.

Our commitment is to provide you with an extraordinary adventure as we work to protect and preserve Parcs Gabon’s rich biodiversity, heritage and environment.  As such, w e individualised managed visitation, safaris and activities that are tailored to the conservation of each park’s unique ecosystems — a vital approach that helps create a sustainable eco-tourism model. And we also put you frontline with unforgettable wildlife encounters found nowhere else in the world. Even in the marine reserves where the magic is no less irresistible.

Each low-impact safari is packaged from start to finish to ensure that you enjoy Central Africa’s astonishing Big Five [western lowland gorilla, forest elephant, mandrill, chimpanzee and hippopotamus] . They include action-packed expeditions with the best trackers that take you into pristine habitats; wild places also teaming with an assortment of monkeys , birds, nesting leatherback sea turtles , reptiles and other mammals of every size, including migratory humpback whales.

Also featured in our packages are accommodations at exclusive campsites and nature lodges; incredible sightseeing on the road less travelled, and thrilling moments in the field with researchers — programs that not only foster a deeper understanding of Gabon’s wildlife but also benefit local communities and the ongoing protection of our natural assets.

lopé national park

Nestled within two distinct terrains is the  UNESCO World Heritage-listed   Lopé National Park , the oldest and most ecologically significant in Parcs Gabon’s network. A mosaic of virgin rainforest and ancient savannah that dates back to the last Ice Age, the park is also the world’s most important refuge for mandrills. Even more extraordinary is when you see them amass by the hundreds in Lopé’s’ forest gallery.

Beyond Moabi Tented Camp, you will also encounter grazing forest elephant, forest buffalo, sitatunga and red river hog. And if you follow the sounds of the dense forests, you will view cheeky colobus, mangabey and various species of equatorial birds. But arguably, tracking chimpanzees, mandrills and western lowland gorillas with one of our experienced guides is what evokes unbridled excitement. 

For a true wilderness experience, you can trek Mt Brazza on foot or the legendary Ogooué River by pirogue. Also scattered across the area are a series of prehistoric petroglyphs and remnants of tools and settlements along ancient trade routes; sites that confirm Gabon’s important place in Africa’s human evolution.

Moabi Tented Camp is operated and managed by Gabon Wildlife Camps & Safaris.

ivindo national park

This extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage -listed park nestles on the equator of east-central Gabon. A living Eden to Africa’s forest animals — western lowland gorillas, elephants, buffalo, sitatungas, chimpanzee, red river hogs, hundreds of bird species and the golden cat — Ivindo’s densely-packed forests are also anchored by an intricate spectacle of cascading chutes, freshwater rivers and hidden eco-systems. 

O f the five most ecologically significant in Central Africa is Langoué baï, an ancient forest clearing carved by elephants eons ago. Now an important research centre for Wildlife Conservation Society [WSC Gabon] , the baï is also a vital habitat for the largest gathering of mammals. From the safety of WCS’s tree-lined platform, you can observe families of lowland gorillas, forest elephants and other enigmatic creatures as they amass around the mineral-rich marshes.

Further afield are the thundering waterfalls of Mingouli, Djidji and Kongou — the ‘Wonders of Ivindo’ and three of the most majestic on the continent. There  are no roads to be blazed from the camps, only heart-pounding treks on foot or by drift boat and pirogue [dugout canoe].

Kongou Forest Camp and Langoué baï Camp are operated by Gabon Wildlife Camps & Safaris .

pongara national park

A short boat ride from Libreville, Pongara offers a slice of Gabon’s natural bounty. Within arm’s length of Pongara Lodge are a marine-rich estuary and an immersion of dense mangrove forest inhabited by arboreal primates, including chimpanzees and a variety of bird, insect and plant species.

For many visitors, Pongara’s drawcard lies beyond the rivets of waterways that flow into the Atlantic. You  can watch breaching humpback whales, and bottlenose dolphins frolic in the ocean or see the occasional hippopotamus and forest elephant amble along the beach during the dry season. Yet the real waiting game is rewarded beneath the night sky when thousands of migratory sea turtles descend upon Pongara’s beach. Between the peak months of November to February, the national park serves as an important nesting site for leatherback, hawksbill and olive ridley turtles who lay their eggs deep within the tawny sand before returning to the ocean.

Another place of play  is the road less travelled into Pongara’s lowland rainforest, where you will find a vast kingdom of reptiles, birds and exotic monkeys,   including the collared mangabey.

Pongara Lodge is operated and managed by Gabon Wildlife Camps & Safaris.

loango national park

The most extraordinary wildlife encounters are just within four hours from Libreville in Loango National Park  — a maze of wild coastline, savannahs, deep-rooted mangrove swamps and lush rainforests that trace shimmering lagoons and a marine reserve brimming with countless species of fish.

You can start your adventure on Loango’s pristine beach, where you can cast a line, follow the sandy trails of nesting sea turtles — even watch forest elephants and the occasional hippo venture to shore.  

For most guests, however, their thrills are found deep within Loango’s jungles. Tracking a family of habituated, western lowland gorillas that headline the Loango Gorilla Project . Watching forest elephants, monkeys, chimpanzee, sitatunga, bongo, forest buffalo and assorted birdlife on safari. Blazing Loango’s hidden lagoons amid bathing hippos and snapping crocodiles. And in the evenings, when Loango unveils a softer and more idyllic charm, you can enjoy a boma fire on the beach or sip on a sundowner by the river. Just you and nature, in a world far removed from the hustle and bustle.

Gabon Wildlife Camps & Safaris operate and manage Akaka Camp, Louri River Camp and Tassi Savannah Camp [only during the season] — with each immersed in uniquely different surroundings. Just outside of the national park is Loango Camps . Though managed by the ANPN, the lodge forms part of our accommodation network — beautiful locations that create unique safari experiences.  

The Megatransect

In September 1999, acclaimed Wildlife Conservation Society biologist, Dr J. Michael ‘Mike’ Fay set out on the MegaTransect , an epic 15-month expedition that saw his team of pygmy trackers and carriers trek 3220-kilometres [2000 miles] from the Republic of the Congo’s Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park through Gabon’s interior to the West African coast.

As they trudged and hacked through endless mangrove swamps, leech-infested headwaters and impenetrable rainforests, Fay gathered important ecological field data for his research. All-day and throughout the night. Using a GPS device and a simple spool of string that connected him to a Fieldranger, he meticulously created a snapshot of the region’s rich biodiversity from animal tracks, scat piles and compost — other times from arboreal monkey sightings and droppings of seeds. Untouched ecosystems that revealed important narratives along an unbroken tract. Yet Fay’s most significant finding was at Langoué baï in the region where Ivindo National Park now lies — “Africa’s Last Living Eden” as he had coined it. An ancient forest clearing that had been carved over the centuries by forest elephants and prized by wildlife for its saline-rich minerals. Like Noah’s Ark after the great flood; nirvana teeming with endemic flora and a gathering of Gabon’s wild forest creatures. Unfazed troops of western lowland gorillas. Scores of monkeys. Herds of elephants with tusks never destined for Africa’s illicit ivory trade.

Triggering one of the most significant conservation undertakings ever seen on the continent, Fay’s ground-breaking expedition and lobbying led to the creation of Gabon’s 13 national parks in 2002 by the late President Omar Bongo and the establishment of Gabon’s National Agency for National Parks [Agence Nationale des Parcs Nationaux]. In the same way, his imprint played an essential part in the country’s conservation governance and the partnering of vital field research programs with the world’s leading conservation organisations and foundations including Wildlife Conservation Society [WCS Gabon] , WWF, Max Planck Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology and The Aspinall Foundation.

Ending the Megatransect on the beach at what is now Loango National Park , Fay’s photographer, Michael “Nick” Nichols captured another anomaly. A small family of hippopotamuses being trounced by the Atlantic’s rolling waves. It was a remarkable occurrence. Known for inhabiting the region’s estuaries and rivers, Nichol’s now-famous image of a ‘surfing hippo’ in National Geographic revealed what so few had seen before and what Gabon Wildlife Camps & Safaris and our national park partners are working hard to keep.

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safaris & wildlife

Gabon is only one of a handful of places left on earth that remains unspoilt. Over 11% of protected landscapes woven with ancient savannahs, mangrove forests, miles of remote coastline and lush, virgin rainforest — the world’s second-largest after the Amazon. Ecologically-significant habitats that are always intense with astonishing beauty and intimate wildlife encounters. And on our ‘green safaris ,’ we find new and exciting ways for you to experience them. Sometimes on 4 x 4 wheel treks but mostly by drift boat, pirogue or on foot.

Another example of Gabon’s rich biodiversity is the sheer scale of wildlife; the largest concentration of forest elephants, western lowland gorillas and mandrills found anywhere on the African continent. Out to sea, a network of pristine marine reserves also welcomes the largest migration of humpback whales and nesting leatherback sea turtles found along the West African coast. However,  this is just a glimpse into Gabon’s special relationship with the natural world.

Gabon Wildlife Camps & Safaris ‘ low-impact coastal bungalows, tented camps and forest camps are equally presented in idyllic locations within four premier parks. Exclusive access that allows you to move with the landscape — extraordinary snapshots of wild jungle and savannahs intersected by tidal lagoons, swift-flowing rivers and thundering chutes. But at the heart of our safaris are a host of conservation programs — fascinating insights that allow guests to become stakeholders in the preservation and sustainability of ‘Green Gabon.’

sports fishing

Along the coastline and in the secluded lagoons that surround   Loango National Park is a paradise for die-hard anglers. Renown for its abundance of big-game fish — record-size king tarpon, barracuda, snapper, captain fish and whopping-sized kingfish, Loango’s marine reserve alone shelters over 4,000 marine and aquatic species.  However, n ear the mouth of Iguéla lagoon is where the highest concentration of gamefish is found.  

Whether you’re casting off from a boat, reeling them in at the beach or wading knee-deep in shallow water, there are many remote areas where you can get into a duel with a hard-fighting catch — even in the mangrove swamps where fly-rodders are likewise spoilt for choice.

Following the tide, most fishing excursions commence before daybreak and end late morning before recommencing late afternoon until after dark. Fishing, however, is strictly catch-and-release and is limited to restricted areas . 

The rainy season from September to April offers the best catch — peaking between November to February. Fishing packages include equipment and a guide along with accommodation at Loango Camps , which is only 10 minutes by boat to the park’s best fishing spots. Extended stays can be packaged in conjunction with a safari either within the wilderness circuit of Loango National Park or in any other park where our camps are based.

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Colossal kevazingo trees sway and lurch in the misty jungles that line the backcountry depths of Gabon. Mangroves sprawl over the coastal lowlands, chirping and tweeting with a colourful cacophony of tropical birds. Savannah takes over where the highland plateaus leave off in the centre of the country, while perpetual mists cling to the tops of the Chaillu Massif. Gabon is wild and untouched to the hilt.

Luckily, ambitious national park designation schemes have rendered the hinterlands here some of the best protected in the world. Add to that a stable government (something of a rarity in these parts), and a thriving democracy, and bingo: Gabon is arguably West Africa’s prime safari destination. Today, Gabon tour guides in the capital of Libreville can organise every aspect of that eco excursion, whether to spot turtles and swelling rivers in the Akanda National Park, to hit the tenuous rope-bridge walks of the Banteke Plateau, to wallow on the beaches and gorilla-patrolled coasts of the Loango National Park, or to case out elephants in the high forests of Minkebe. The choice is yours!

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Gabon Tour Packages: Travel with Adventure Republiq!

Book the most exciting and popular Gabon tour packages with  Adventure Republiq . Enjoy travelling with our trusted and best local tour operators and experiencing this West African nation.  Gabon, one of the most scenic African countries, offers spectacular wildlife in its dense rainforests. It opens up the savannah to enthral nature enthusiasts. Explore superb white-sand beaches, rushing rivers, and ethereal landscapes.  It is famous for being one of the most accessible national parks, where you can see apes, elephants, and birds. Encounter the wonders of Gabon's exotic wildlife, including forest elephants, western lowland gorillas, and other mammal and bird species.  Explore Gabon’s wildlife with our national park tours! Visit Lope National Park, the best place in Africa to see mandrills in their natural habitat. Don’t miss Loango National Park, renowned for its unique sight of surfing hippos. The best time to visit Gabon for a safari, wildlife, and outdoor adventures is June to September. Book your perfect safari tour packages and vacation packages with us and explore the beautiful Gabon.

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See Wild Travels Donna Lousie Honey Office: +24174022791 Mobile: +447894571049 [email protected] www.seewildtravels.com

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Services: See Wild Travels offers gorilla trekking, wildlife safaris and custom off-the-beaten-track tours and adventure experiences in the national parks and marine reserves of Gabon.

Address: Mayumba, Gabon

Discover the diverse wildlife and dense rainforests of Gabon on an adventure tour

See Wild Travels is a British company but, at its heart, it is Anglo-Gabonese with a local office in Gabon. It is run by Donna Honey, who has lived and worked in Gabon since 2008, including as a researcher in Loango National Park. With a passion for responsible and sustainable conservation tourism, See Wild Travels showcases the amazing wildlife and diverse habitats of Gabon on their back-to-nature tours and safaris.

Loango National Park is truly a tourism gem where you can trek wild gorillas and go whale watching on the same day. Our wild camps situated in the park give you the chance to be at one with nature. Activities include safari drives in the savannas, hiking in the forest or boat safaris where you might see hippos, gorilla and elephants all in one place.

See Wild Travels successfully runs tours in some of Gabon’s most remote government protected national parks with a high level of customer care. We have also expanded our tours into exciting neighbouring countries that offer their own unique highlights and can be visited in combination with Gabon.

See wild Travels enables you to SEE WILD and REMOTE AFRICA completely off the beaten track and away from tourist crowds.

Top Travel Highlights in Gabon

• 13 National Parks covering savannah, pristine beaches, dense forests and mangroves
• 40 000 elephants in our forests
• More than 700 bird species
• Hippos who surf the waves
• The only black panther
• Lambarénè and Albert Schweitzer’s story
• Humpback whales at sea
• Luth turtles
• Gabon has some of the best sites for sport fishing
• Amazing culture and rites
• Unique biodiversity
• A quarter of Africa’s gorillas can be found in Gabon

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Gabon: Gorillas and More, 5 Days

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• Partially Guided
• Christmas & New Year

• Fly to Loango Lodge by helicopter or charter
• Explore Loango National Park by boat or jeep
• Watch wildlife roam on Tassi beach
• Celebrate New Year with dinner and champagne
• Spot nesting turtles at Pte. Ste. Cathérine
• Introduction
• Day 1 Libreville, Gabon – Loango National Park
• Day 2 Loango National Park – Tassi Camp
• Day 3 Tassi Camp- Loango Lodge
• Day 4 Loango National Park – Point St. Catherine
• Day 5 Pointe St. Catherine Beach – Libreville – Depart

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Continent Tours

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12 to 90 years old

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West Africa is our backyard and no one knows this region better than our operations personnel including highly skilled multi-lingual career tourism professionals who are committed to the highest level of service that exceeds the most exacting expectations. Our vast experience throughout Africa,...

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Customer Reviews

• Tour Operator Continent Tours 4.7
• Paul · 10th December 2023 If you're even considering this tour, we highly recommend you book now. This tour is a great way to be introduced to... Show more
• Kazimierz · 5th December 2023 Well organized tour. Pullman was the best hotel other hotels need little upgrade and better breakfasts. Best were the... Show more
• Lornajean · 29th October 2023 I have just returned from a 12 day Best of Ghana Cultural Tour by Continent Tours. I have travelled around the world... Show more

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• Get Instant Confirmation Saturday 21 Sep, 2024 Wednesday 25 Sep, 2024 English Filling Fast €3,598 Confirm Dates
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Good to Know

• Currency Fr CFA Franc BEAC Gabon

As a traveller from USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F.

• These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
• Typhoid - Recommended for Gabon. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
• Hepatitis A - Recommended for Gabon. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
• Cholera - Recommended for Gabon. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
• Tuberculosis - Recommended for Gabon. Ideally 3 months before travel.
• Hepatitis B - Recommended for Gabon. Ideally 2 months before travel.
• Rabies - Recommended for Gabon. Ideally 1 month before travel.
• Yellow fever - Required for entrance into the country for Gabon. Ideally 10 days before travel.
• Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
• Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
• For any tour departing before 17th November 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after 17th November 2024, a minimum payment of €149 is required to confirm your booking with Continent Tours. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 60 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
• Some departure dates and prices may vary and Continent Tours will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
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• Accessibility Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveller, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team , who are ready and waiting to help you.
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Gabon Gorilla Watching & Primates Encounter

Gabon wildlife holidays, lowland gorilla safaris and beach breaks.

Information on when to vist the lowland gorillas in Africa, Gabon gorilla watching and so much more.

Primates – with the 2nd largest rainforest on the planet Gabon hosts a number of primates such as the lowland gorillas, chimpanzees, mandrills plus a several monkey species (red capped Mangabey , sun tailed, moustached and the Colobus, among many others).

Western lowland gorilla, indigenous to Gabon, are recognized for how challenging it is to habituate them to human presence; having wider home territories, this subspecies usually moves long distances looking for its preference diet hence making it more challenging to track as well as harder to even habituate. Tracking the western gorillas in Gabon can’t and must never be compared to tracking mountain gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda. The finest opportunity for seeing the gorillas in Gabon is within Langoue Bai (which is a forest clearing) in which a number of forest animals go into the Bai looking for water plus minerals to complement their diet. Observing wild lowland gorillas together with other animals like the forest elephants, sitatunga, as well as buffalo is rather an exceptional sight! Gorillas can as well be seen in other parks within Gabon although seeing them is not guaranteed.  Tracking is physically demanding and be ready to be move through this forest crawling on your stomach – travelers should remember that they are actually among the very first visitors in this country making it even more thrilling an experience!!

Chimpanzees are as well present in good sized quantities inside Gabon. Currently there aren’t any chimpanzee families/troops that have already been habituated and for that reason seeing them is not guaranteed although chances are that you will encounter them or perhaps their tracks on your excursions.

Mandrills constitute one of the biggest primate gatherings on the planet with groups of around one thousand and more! Gabon’s Lope National Park is among the best destinations to see these groups in the dry season.

Additional Wildlife – Although Gabon doesn’t posses savannah game as in countries like Kenya Uganda or Tanzania it continuously has surprises for its guests – famous for its hippos, western gorillas, buffaloes and elephants commonly seen along the beach, it is a “Garden of Eden”.

Marine Life – the beaches in Gabon are internationally well-known nesting places for turtles, in particular leatherback turtles, which come on land to lay their eggs from mid November up to mid January annually. On the other hand you could visit from July to October as the waters off the coastline the significant breeding area for humpback whales! Breathtaking to watch at 15 meters long and usually mixing with mind blowing whales plus dolphins; this is surely a must!

Gabon’s great diversity of plant life and animals is distinctive to Africa and it’s this uniqueness that attributes to the reasons as to why you should visit Gabon. Because Gabon is a new tourist destination, it might not guarantee sightings of particular animals however the combination of this variety in a single country offers a unique experience that isn’t possible in other countries in the world. we recommends Gabon as a tourist destination for experienced travelers and please remember that  Gabon is actually a seasonal destination. Make sure you contact us for additional details.

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His Deaf Friends Had Bad Travel Experiences, So He Did Something About It

Two decades ago, terry giansanti created the deaf-owned, deaf-led international tour company hands on travel; 350 tours later, he talks about what’s changed and what still needs to..

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Terry Giansanti founded Hands On Travel in 2002.

Courtesy of Hands On Travel

Imagine being a deaf American who has traveled to the Leaning Tower of Pisa only to be told you can’t enter without a hearing person present. Consider how humiliating and patronizing and stressful this could feel. Unfortunately, several deaf and hard of hearing Americans traveling abroad have reported encountering such barriers, borne out of inaccessible environments, and cultural biases about what deaf and hard of hearing people can and can’t do safely.

Terry Giansanti, founder of the deaf-owned tour operator Hands On Travel (formerly called Hands On Italia), is trying to make deaf travel less friction filled. Since 2002, his company has organized more than 350 tours for small groups as well as private trips, led by local deaf guides in more than 60 countries with more than 4,000 deaf customers whose primary language is American Sign Language.

Giansanti was inspired to start Hands On Travel when he was living in Italy more than two decades ago. After graduating from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. (the world’s only bilingual ASL–English university), he moved to Rome to work at the 2001 Deaflympics. And when fellow deaf American friends complained of negative travel experiences during the games, he had an idea of how to do better.

I spoke to Giansanti in September 2024, while he was leading a group tour of the Balkans—Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Montenegro, and Macedonia—with 15 deaf Americans. It was evening in darkened Zagreb, Croatia’s capital, on his end, and a sunny afternoon in northern Virginia on mine.

Why did you decide to leave behind America for Rome? And where in the U.S. are you from, exactly?

I was born and raised in Maryland and grew up in Greenbelt, mostly. I have Italian roots from my grandfather’s side. While in college, I went backpacking across Europe twice, and it aroused an interest in me to experience living in Europe after graduation. So I took the jump. Expected to stay a couple years, but that turned into 25 years (and counting).

What’s Hands On Travel’s origin story?

During the 2001 Deaflympics in Italy, many of my friends came to visit Rome. As an American living in Rome, I wanted them to enjoy the city and be impressed with what it had to offer. Unfortunately, some mentioned their bad experiences during their time in Rome and when I asked them to explain—they gave reasons that made me reply, “Oh no, you should have done this, not that” and so forth.

It made me realize that there was a lack of accessible information for deaf people at that time and inspired me to set up a business in order to provide that access and knowledge to them in direct communication, given that ASL is my mother language and also the mother language of almost all of our participants.

Can you give an example of a bad experience a friend shared with you?

It was a long time ago but it was mostly about going to the wrong place to eat, staying at the wrong location, missing some important sights, going to the wrong area, that kind of stuff.

Recently a deaf American influencer’s post went viral when she was denied entry into the Leaning Tower of Pisa without a hearing person accompanying her. Has that been your experience? How do you handle such issues?

Deaf people face stereotyping, discrimination, and oppression in many places all over the world, in addition to lack of clarity and communication. It can be stressful and embarrassing.

Many deaf people are starving for more resources to help them plan their travel abroad. Deaf-friendly destinations. Deaf-friendly experiences. Local deaf guides.

Since they have paid money to travel, it is our job to act as a sponge in these situations, to remove that unpleasant friction from their shoulders and take it onto our shoulders. That way, they don’t have to experience negative energy while traveling. It still happens because it’s impossible to 100 percent filter out, but our goal is to reduce that percentage down as much as humanly possible.

How would you describe the state of deaf travel today? What is it like to be a deaf traveler in 2024, and how is it different from previous years?

Things have improved a lot since we first started in 2002. Part of it is obviously thanks to technology. In 2002, we didn’t even have smartphones. There is more access to information nowadays so it is somewhat easier for deaf people to travel independently equipped with tools they need to have a successful trip.

What do you mean by somewhat easier?

It’s not 100 percent easy, never will be. Travel cannot be 100 percent easy for anybody—not only deaf people; that’s just not possible. Travel involves lots of variables outside of people’s control, so it requires adaptability and thinking outside of the box. For deaf people, it’s even harder due to the lack of visual cues or visual communication in many popular tourist destinations.

What would you like to see change to make it easier for deaf people to travel?

America needs to establish a national disability ID card that every disabled person can get in order to “prove” their disability. [ Ed. note: Some countries, such as India , Israel , and Japan , have national disability identification cards. Also, the European Union (EU) is close to adopting a disability card that would apply to all member states within the EU .] Deafness in particular is not a very visual disability. Worldwide, in order to get reduced or free admission to tourist attractions they often request ID card as proof of disability, and that’s something Americans don’t yet have. That would make things a lot easier for deaf people in many places worldwide.

Hands On Travel leads ASL-language tours in 60 countries.

Many deaf people are also starving for more resources to help them plan their travel abroad. Deaf-friendly destinations. Deaf-friendly experiences. Local deaf guides. Deaf social events. Deaf-centered sights.

What makes your company unique from other deaf-owned tour operators?

First, I believe that we are the first American deaf-owned and deaf-run tour operator that operates, organizes, designs, and runs our own tours with full communication access, small group sizes, and unique travel experiences.

Now, there are more deaf-owned tour operators in the field, which is a good thing because it ensures that deaf people are empowering each other in the travel industry, which is a huge industry worldwide nowadays.

But we feel that we’ve proven over 22 years in business that we continue to be at the forefront of the deaf-owned tour operator industry due to our accumulated experience, customer service, and unique offerings. And that, with us, people know what they’re getting from their investment into their travel, which is our full effort, energy, and attention to them in small group sizes, which ensures everybody stays involved.