Gabon

Straddling the equator on the west coast of Africa, this naturally stunning and prosperous sub-Saharan country is a mecca for adventurous nature lovers. With flat river plains and dense rainforests along the Atlantic coast, the Chaillu Mountains in the central highlands, and lush jungles in the eastern region, Gabon’s terrain is rugged, wild, and teeming with African animals, including leopards, elephants, chimpanzees, and mountain gorillas. The nation is also idyllically endowed with an 800-kilometre-long stretch of coast dotted with isolated palm-fringed bays, exquisite hidden lagoons, and estuaries brimming with birdlife. With so much to see and do, Gabon has enough charm and diversity to appeal to travellers with a hearty sense of adventure. While its terrain can be challenging to navigate, the reward is certainly worth the effort.