KeY Facts

KEY Facts
parc national de mwagna
DATE CREATED: 2002
AREA: 1160 km2
highest point: 622 m
HABITATS: Marantaceae forest, Bai
province: Ogooué-Ivindo
principal rivers: Lodié, Louayé
NEAREST TOWNs: Malouma, Bakwaka,
Makokou
STATUS: Part of Trinational Landscape DjaOdzala-Minkébé (TRIDOM) in the frame of the
Congo Basin Forest Partnership.
mwagna
Phase Three Development
NATIONAL PARK
EARTH’s second largest rainforest
At the heart of Africa’s last great primeval land,
Mwagna National Park forms a significant part
of a tri-national forest that belongs to the second
biggest piece of rainforest in the world. Only Brazil
has a larger rainforest block.
Because of the difficulty accessing deep interior land, Mwagna may
be one of Gabon’s last parks to be developed for widespread tourism.
Although, as a “last frontier” with mythical rivers and unexplored grand
forest, Mwagna has particular existing value for “adventure tourism” today.
left: Deep in the interior of Gabon, the rich green of Mwagna’s forest extends for miles in every direction.
This park has great appeal to those seeking wilderness adventure in unknown lands.
mwagna national park 249
mwagna
Mwagna’s rainforest may be a source of global biodiversity, and great pride
to Gabon, but the Park and its surrounding vast standing forest also are
critical for protecting the planet from faster global warming. Millions of
great trees and their verdant labyrinth of scrambling vines and epiphytes
lock up tons of carbon (10,000-25,000 tons/km2), keeping it from entering
the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, which contributes to global warming.
Slowing forest cutting here is an advantage to our overheating planet.
Hence Gabon’s great interior forests around Mwagna, Minkébé, Ivindo,
and Lopé need more serious consideration in global financing strategies,
due to the Congo Basin’s beneficial mitigating potential for the planet. No
small nation has the financial capacity to alone carry the costs of maintaining
Earth’s forests.
WWF-supported and Parcs Gabon
patrols must be on constant guard
to protect the Park from hunters,
some coming across the border from
Congo.
Makokou is 70 km to the west.
Mwagna is probably the Bongo
Antelope capital of Gabon —
these majestic forest antelopes
congregate in bais — up to 30
have been seen together in bais to
the north of the Park.
Flocks of African Grey Parrots
roost in riverside raffias near the
Liboumba River. Thousands of
these birds visit Mwagna.
Mwagna and the surrounding
forests make up the world’s
second largest standing
rainforest.
Liboumba River
Sitatunga and other antelopes
live here. Observing one of
these beautiful creatures in its
natural environment is a moving
experience.
Biological reconnaissance teams
from WWF and WCS have explored
the area since 2004. Studies found
that elephants, bongos, and many
birds are plentiful in the Park, but
gorilla populations appear to have
been decimated. Elephant poaching
is an imminent threat.
ver
Lodié Ri
Biodiversity levels are high in the
Park. Good populations of
near-mythical leopards exist still
in these forests, along with other
predator species.
Access to the Park is via rivers or
from small villages.
250 mwagna national park
High numbers of monkeys including
the localized DeBrazza Monkey are
found around the Park, but hard to
see where hunted.
The closest villages are
Malouma to the north and
Bakwaka to the south. Vistors
will go overland from here or by
river to get to the Park.
Mwange - Right - 2
national park
ONE OF AFRICA’S LAST GREAT RAINFORESTS
Mwagna and its surrounding forests represent one of Africa’s last frontiers,
almost uninhabited except by Forest People and other hunters. As such,
its grand intact rainforest — full of elephants, birds, monkeys and other
wildlife — is one of the treasures of Gabon and of the planet. Mwagna
is filled with bais including Gabon’s largest, but little is known about this
bai. What other rare species like Bongo Antelopes, Giant Forest Hog,
Sitatunga and Spot-necked Otter live here? How many new species might
be found, like the recently described butterflies from Langoué Bai? Are there
rare birds too, including Dja River Warbler? Much biological information is
unknown about Mwagna — in this way it is similar to Langoué Bai, which
was not discovered until 2000. Mwagna and Minkébé National Parks are
some of the last frontiers of the planet. Initial studies indicate a particular
richness of Forest Elephant numbers, which need ongoing protection from
hunters.
iv e r
Western Gorillas and Chimpanzee
populations are now low here, as
Ebola virus moved in and out of the
area in the early 2000s, leaving more
resistant animals to slowly rebuild ape
populations.
discovery zone
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Mwagna
UNEXPLORED PRIMEVAL FOREST
As a last African frontier, Mwagna’s status as a largely unknown place
of great mystique — with giant trees and lonely rivers — particularly
suits adventure tourism. Tales, even if mythical, of creatures like
Mokele-Mbembe from Congo enhance Mwagna’s reputation for mysterious
attraction. Fewer and fewer places on the planet can claim to be truly
unknown frontiers, resulting in enhanced value.
mwagna
The greater Minkébé forest is known for
high numbers of Forest Elephants, one
of the highest in Africa! One of Gabon’s
mineral bais, Mwagna Bai, is yet to be
studied in detail but is known to be
important for elephants.
mwagna national park 251
A Place for Adventure
Not all rainforest wildlife consists of massive elephants and grand forest
antelopes. Here in the primeval forest, potential discovery in an unknown
land will attract nature explorers seeking an expedition full of wild surprises.
Adventurers will appreciate working their way through the vegetation to
find the hidden animals essential to rainforest ecosystems — mongoose
and snake, bat and butterfly.
At Mwagna, small monkeys, guenons, bushbabies and galagos, many species
of squirrels, hyrax, hogs, buffalo, duikers, and sitatunga mingle in the forest.
Here adventurers may encounter unusual and intruiging animals such as
the Hammerhead Bat, Moustached Guenon, or Putty-nosed monkey.
Red, Blue, Yellowbacked, and Peters’ Duikers all roam the forest, as well
as Water Chevrotain. Also seen are the Tree Hyrax and two species of
squirrel: African Pygmy and Stanger’s Giant. Bird sightings are sure to
happen, as pigeons, parrots, cuckoos, hornbills, turacos, water birds, and
raptors all inhabit the area.
Bodytext is here
top and above right: Orb-weaving spiders
and other small wonders will enhance a tourist’s
adventure.
ABOVE: Lucky explorers might find the Gaboon
Viper, dangerous but not very aggressive.
RIGHT: One is more likely to meet a caterpillar
with stinging spines than a poisonous snake.
left: Hartlaub’s Duck is one of the distinctive
avian species of Afro-tropical forests.
far left: Nile Monitors haunt the forest floor.
252 mwagna national park
rich BIODIVERSITY
creatures large and small
As one moves deeper into the interior of Gabon, one enters the unknown
forests of Africa. One might expect that Africa’s richest, most intact forests
are in Democratic Republic of Congo, in the geographic center of
the continent, but aerial mapping indicates the most intact areas of the
Congo Basin (with low human densities) actually lie in eastern Gabon and
northern Republic of Congo. These areas hold extremely high value for
global biodiversity preservation and are huge stores of carbon.
RIGHT: Sitatunga and at least five species
of duiker roam Mwagna’s forests.
below right: The Park is known for large
numbers of Forest Elephants.
far RIGHT: Lucky visitors will get to see
traditional dances and ceremonies of the
Congo Basin’s forest tribes. Local Bakota
ceremonies are world-famous.
below: Mwagna provides habitat for the
Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill and five other
hornbill species.
Scientists from WWF, WCS, and DFC have carried out exploratory
expeditions and biological inventories, including a visit to the mythical
Mwagna bai, considered sacred by local peoples. They found Gabon’s
equivalent of Odzala (the renowned park across the border in Congo) with
multiple bais teeming with wildlife. Recent surveys revealed the presence
of cross-border poaching pressure, with elephants facing the most danger.
Constant antipoaching patrols are needed to calm animals and lay the
foundations for future tourism development. WWF is funding surveys
in Congo to explore possibilities for a transborder park.
mwagna
bottom: Beautiful colors appear in
strange shapes.
mwagna national park 253
Science and Protection
WWF science and patrol teams in the 50,000 km2 collective Minkébé/
Mwagna area help protect one of Africa’s large Forest Elephant populations
in the rainforest areas around Mwagna and the Belinga/Djoua/Zadié forest.
Out of an estimated 200,000 Forest Elephants in Rainforest Africa, more
than 40,000 live in this critical area. Aerial and ground surveys indicate that
Mwagna has the largest population of magnificent Bongo Antelopes in all of
Gabon’s National Parks.
The core of Mwagna remains largely inviolate. Hunting pressure
comes from public roads in the periphery, typically reaching 20 km
into the forest. Most of the Park remains outside hunting territories.
Elephant poaching near the Park needs continued monitoring.
activity-based adventure tourism
top: WWF patrols must constantly monitor the area to keep elephant hunters out of the Park. Elephant
hunting is illegal here.
Hidden camera traps reveal animal trends. For instance, in forested
central Gabon images from of WCS’s Dr. Phillip Henschell’s research using
camera traps indicates that leopards are active by day in areas distant from
people. Near villages, however, leopard behavior becomes nocturnal and the
big cats are more difficult to see.
above left: Aerial surveys revealed large groups of Africa’s Bongo Antelope in Mwagna’s many bais.
254 mwagna national park
left: Undisturbed leopards are normally active by day, but when faced with hunting pressure from
people, leopard behavior becomes nocturnal.
minimal development
Pygmy Villages
Pygmy villages in this area will be
interesting to tourists who visit the Park.
activity-based adventure tourism
River Access
The Lodié River provides access to the
west side of the Park. Boats can get to
Mwagna all the way from Makokou.
P
The ideal development plan for Mwagna will initially focus on wild
adventure and exploration of nature. Minimal infrastructure development
will make Mwagna the ideal park for ultra-wild adventure while also
preserving the undisturbed nature of the Park. This unexplored land
has great appeal to tourists seeking adventure without the comforts of
home. Development based around activities rather than infrastructure
is proposed, as adventure tourists seek a wild experience in nature. A
specialty tour operator experienced in adventure tourism would be ideal.
River navigable to here
5 km
Buffer Zone
5 km
Buffer Zone
P
Excellent logistics organized from a hub in Makokou will be the best way to
cater to wild tourist adventures in the bush. Boats can access the west side of
the Park from Makokou via the Libouma and Lodié Rivers, and the Louayé
River in the northeast is partially navigable. Branches barring the rivers can
make navigation extremely difficult. Pygmy villages accessible by road and
foot may wish to get involved by hosting small groups of tourists en route
to or from the Park. Local expertise about plants and animals can enhance
research and design for tourist activities.
Marantaceae Forest
The forest in this area is particularly
hospitable to gorillas.
C
O
To
dza
la
Multiple Bais
Numerous swampy clearings in the jungle,
some with mineral salts, are visited by herds
of antelopes and other animals.
c
c
Poaching Problems
Poachers coming over the border from
Congo create a serious problem here due
to the difficulty of patrolling.
Hidden bai
Mwagna Bai, deep in the Park, is sacred
to local people. The forest contains other
bais that have not yet been explored.
No Go Zone
Re
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pu
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t
of
he
n
Co
go
Cross border park
Losi, in Congo is a candidate for a cross
border park, to protect this delicate area.
below: The best exploration of the Park will be on foot and by pirogue — the same method used by park
patrols.
KEY
5 km
Buffer Zone
Pygmy Villages
Village ZONE (3)
Park Infrastructure
(1A)
Entry
NO GO zone
10
Km
Major road
Proposed Hotel
H (Site to be Found)
Proposed Road
c
Proposed
Camp site
20
Transportation
H CONCESSION
Proposed
hotel site
h
Existing
hotel
C
15
Buffer
research
Concessionaire Zone (2)
5
BUFFER ZONE (5)
Patrol
Airstrip
N
Village zone
Off limits zone (4)
Office
Pygmy villages exist in this area,
as well as the north of the Park.
0
airstrip
Park Area
Existing camp site
mwagna
Gabon Parks (1)
minor road
unimproved
Trail
Proposed TRAIL
Train
Train Station
mwagna national park 255
Mwange - Left - 5
the legend of mokélé-mbembé
The mysterious “dinosaur” of the Congo Basin
Mokélé-mbembé is a legendary creature that holds a special place in Africa’s
natural history. Described as a large dinosaur-like animal with characteristics
similar to a sauropod (a long neck and tail), the beast is rumored to haunt
swampy areas deep in the Congo Basin.
The fame of Mokélé-mbembé extends from small tribes to international
cryptozoological experts, and numerous expeditions have been conducted
in search of this mysterious giant. The creature often appears in books
chronicling adventures in Africa, some specifically following the trail of
the animal in an attempt to prove or disprove its existence.
This well-known Congo Basin legend provides an opportunity to enhance
tourism at Mwagna. Tourism operations might include outings with local
people to search for signs of Mokélé-mbembé, organized gatherings around
a fire to share local oral history, a themed bar/restaurant, and production
and sales of souvenirs.
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national
dE mayumba
256 parc
mwagna
national
park
wild adventure at mwagna
a park for natural and self-discovery
Mwagna’s forest frontier offers adventure for the hardy soul; it is a tough
place for the faint of heart. The main market for this park will be those
seeking the challenge of a journey through untamed wilderness. Due to
the difficulties in accessing deep forest, the human intruder is bound to
discover as much about themself as they will about the natural world.
Much of Mwagna is yet to be explored by science. Tourism here may
include scientific inventories and other outings for research.
left: An adventure traveler’s photographs will record the “trip of a lifetime” deep in Africa’s forest.
mwagna
below: At Mwagna, one can explore unknown forest — a challenge that offers a refreshing change from
the demands of everyday life. Adventure travelers seek such wild expeditions in nature.
mwagna national park 257