Akaka bush camp

Akaka Bush Camp is situated in inhabited tropical rainforest and wetlands, on the Rembo Ngowe River. The dark waters of the river containing manatees and hippos are lined by thick forest, inhabited by elephants, red mangabeys, buffalos and smaller mammals such as sitatunga (swamp-dwelling antelopes) and red river hogs. In the heart of this spectacular jungle, you will find Akaka Bush Camp. The only way to reach the camp is by a spectacular 66-km, 2-to-4 hour boat trip from Loango Lodge, leaving the world and all its worries behind, and allowing you plenty of time to capture the essence of Gabon.

The accommodation

Akaka Bush camp has 5 comfortable tents, each with 2 single beds, ensuite bathroom with (outside) shower, basin and toilet, mounted on a platform with private terrace under a palm thatch roof facing the forest e Akaka Camp is also a surveillance post from where Operation Loango eco-guides keep a watchful eye out for any suspicious activities as well as gather scientific data along regular transects as part of mammal surveillance and botanical survey projects respectively.

 

Things to do

Discover the forest

During your stay at Akaka Bush Camp, you can head out into the forest or onto the river with one of our eco-guides. Go out in a kayak, or use one of the other boats to discover sights that might not be easily visible from the shore.
 
During the wet season, wildlife can be difficult to spot in the rain-filled swamps but in the dry season from May until September the concentrations of particularly forest buffalo and forest elephant that migrate into the area are easily seen. You also have a good chance of spotting some smaller mammals like sitatunga, red river hogs, forest duikers, five species of monkey, or great apes who inhabit the area all year round. Crocodiles and manatees are found here too, but tend to keep their distance. Bird life along the rivers is prolific. In the dry season, thousands of water birds – herons, storks, jacanas, pelicans, ibis and the rarely seen Hartlaub’s duck – love crowding together here in the drying pools. The forests of Akaka are full of different butterflies, and home to several rare bird species.

And go on exiting short expeditions

Experience the wild unspoiled beaches of Petit Loango, where Nick Nichols shot the famous pictures of surfing hippos for his article in National Geographic. For those who are physically fit, walking expeditions of several days are offered from Akaka Bush Camp to Petit Loango and cycling tours along the beach to Tassi Savannah Camp during the dry season. Some have spotted the surfing hippos along the way.