ELEPHANT GARDEN RESORT

Larger Lodges Can Be Green Too

MULTIPLE POSSIBILITIES FOR SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
Recreation Zone
There will be demand for high-capacity specialty lodges (resorts like the Hotel Villas
world-famous Club Med). Gabon's best places for development are: on the Hotel Zones Golf Course
and Timeshares
beach within the Sette Cama Faunal Reserve north of Gamba; at Point
Denis by Pongara; at Ogooué; and at Mayumba, where a smaller
development would work best. The resorts may have more rooms than
Lagoon
standard Parcs Gabon 10-room park ecolodges, but large lodges must
also employ best practices in “green” architecture and sustainability.
Service Area
Wildlife Corridor
As part of Gabon's post-petroleum economic diversification, a mid-scale
between Golf Course
tourist development will be suitable for the Gamba area. A “green” tourist
and Development
village is proposed at the Jardin des Elephants area of Pointe Pédras on the
beach, 16.5 km north of Gamba. Large scale resorts built low to the ground
(rather than high rises), with second homes, clubs, restaurants, and activity
Access/Service Road Staff Village
places for children are proposed, using sustainable design, biological
sewage filtration, high quality beach resort designs. Everything would be in
easy walking distance to minimize vehicle use (as with the best tropical
resorts). Private lots within the development would be for sale. All could be
sited within a new group of beachside private and community reserves to Restaurants, Retail,
reinforce protection for nature while enabling moderate human etc.
development at the core 4 km beach x 6-10 km inland parcels). Both
quality of life and land values here will be increased if people can see a
herd of Forest Elephants outside their window, or pass through groups
of Red River Hogs and Congo Buffaloes while en route to the beach
hotel from Gamba.
Hotel Villas/Timeshares

A larger tourism village can be built near Jardin

des Elephants, maintaining the point and beach
and building “organically” within the cooler nearby
forest. Multiple hotels (200-, 50- and 20-bed sizes)
can radiate from a central village center with
restaurants, shops, and activities.
No development on the
The proposed design for an intensive community point (to protect wildlife) Trails throughout
development includes a 40- 50 room lodge, built
to Parcs Gabon sustainable standards. Buildings
green areas
could be two or three stories high, sited to
Private Houses
meander among the trees. Use of recycled
“turtlewood” and other “green” technologies,
including composting toilets that do not send
sewage into the sea, are part of the design.
Trees will be protected during construction so
that the site remains cool and verdant. While
this site may be less sensitive than those
within parks and can accommodate more
human activity, development can still
be “green.”
WCS & cresolus

65 LOANGO NATIONAL PARK

 Other gamba Ecotourism Sites
DISPERSED TOURISM DEVELOPMENTS PROPOSED

A dispersion strategy is critical to spread development across the entire region -

to reduce the pressure of excessive future tourism on the Park’s beaches and to
FLOATING HOTELS support investments and jobs in the economically-depressed Gamba area.
Ndogo lagoon offers thousands of
hectares of peaceful wilderness. Parcs Gabon guidelines minimize the environmental impact and visibility

LOANGO
Floating hotels would allow tourists to of tourism while proposing tactics for economic and social sustainablity.
experience this unique environment.

The Gamba/ South Loango area provides opportunities for multiple markets
for tourists seeking different experiences. The larger market of general nature
tourists will want to see wildlife from comfortable vehicles or boats and take
nature walks with enthusiastic guides. Staunch ecotourist and birding
groups want ready access to the wildest places. Outdoor sports enthusiasts
want adventure; they need boats for water sports and access to the best
fishing areas.
COMMUNITY TOURISM
One of the lodges in Sette Cama is GAMBA TOWN
The beach, coastal forest and grasslands in the Sette Cama Faunal Reserve
run by local people as part of an Gamba is an ideal access point between Gamba, Sette Cama and Bounda offer several economic and
EU/PSVAP initiative. for the area. It has a good environmental opportunities. Although wildlife populations have been under
restaurant and several hotels.
heavier pressure here than in the adjacent park due to the proximity of the
town, 15 years of work by management authorities, WWF, and Ibonga,
protecting remnant populations of hippo, gorilla, chimp, elephant, buffalo,
and monkeys that can all rebound with increased protection (and therefore
creation of jobs as guards).

A series of large privately-operated reserves, including community operated

reserves are proposed near the Jardin des Elephants as a long term economic
and environmental revitalization plan for the area. At least one major
sustainable tourist “village” can be developed within these private reserves -
with multiple beach hotels (200 and 20 beds), restaurants, shopping,
time-share second homes and more, supported by staff who live at Gamba.
OFFICE AND ENTRY INTERPRETIVE CENTER
The Brigade at Sette Cama can be transformed A former hotel in Gamba can be
into a new entry and office for the southern part renovated as an interpretive center.
Like near Kruger National Park in South Africa, guests can enjoy staying in a
of Loango National Park.
protected reserve outside the Park with views of animals nearby.

PRIVATE AND COMMUNITY RESERVES

The area between Gamba and Sette Cama has
great potential for tourism development, with
beaches, savanna, and a lagoon.
N

0 5 10 15 20

Km

ABOVE: Proposed development at Gamba. Existing infrastructure provides plane access via Gamba airport, good access to the south end of the Park, and local transportation via Ndogo Lagoon. Private and
Community Reserves are proposed near the beach between Sette Cama and Gamba to give opportunity for additional future development zones while increasing safe places for wildlife. Large reserves with
clustered developments will enable wildlife to return to the area. No hunting is allowed.

LOANGO NATIONAL PARK 66

Global Fame for Akaka
AKAKA’S WILDLIFE IN INTERNATIONAL PRESS

In the wet season, the Akaka forests are mirrored by tannin-rich black
waters, creating remarkable scenes for photographers. Many wildlife
photographs in National Geographic magazine's August 2004 article on
Loango were actually taken in nearby Akaka, partly outside the National
Park - an indication of the need for expanded protection for Akaka.
Similarly, many Smithsonian-sponsored photographs showcased in the
book “The Edge of Africa” were taken in the eastern flooded forests
outside Park boundaries.

In the dry season many of Akaka’s previously flooded lagoons become

dry land, sprouting rich grasses that attract herds of Forest Elephants,
Congo Buffaloes, and other big herbivores. Thousands of waterbirds -
herons, egrets, finfoots, storks, jacanas, pelicans, ibis, and the rarely-seen
Hartlaub's Duck, all crowd together into the drying pools, making
the area a paradise for nature tourists.

RIGHT: This armored cricket appeared in National Geographic

magazine’s feature on Loango. Creatures like this intrigue
people from Europe and North America, where such an insect
does not exist. Akaka is filled with herons and other waterbirds.

ABOVE: Millions of National Geographic publications and programs travel around the world. A large
section of the August 2004 issue of National Geographic magazine was devoted to Loango National
Park. Many of the photographs, taken by renowned photographer Michael "Nick" Nichols, were taken
in the buffer zone at Akaka.

RIGHT: Many of photographer Carlton Ward’s well-known pictures in the Smithsonian Institution’s
book “The Edge of Africa” featured the Gamba area and local swamp forests. Because of Akaka’s
value for tourism and the richness of wildlife in the area, it will be important to officially incorporate
Akaka into Loango NP.

67 LOANGO NATIONAL PARK

 AKAKA forests
THE “OKAVANGO OF GABON”

East of Loango National Park are the forests of Akaka, home to unusually
large populations of wildlife due to protection as part of the petroleum
reserve area (Domain de Chasse de Ngove-Ndogo). Amazingly rich in
wildlife, the Akaka area is nicknamed the “Okavango of Gabon.”

LOANGO
Akaka is the only known intact ecosystem of its kind remaining in forested
Africa. It is a vast expanse of seasonally flooded forest that plays a key
ecological role. This seasonal swamp habitat goes through dramatic
variations throughout the year, offering habitat for different species as
it alternates between dry forest and wetlands. It is a seasonally important
area for elephants, other large animals, and birds. The biological richness
of these rare seasonally flooded forests warrant expanded legal protection
for this area (currently much of it falls in the buffer zone) – this is almost
certainly Africa’s manatee capital.

Akaka will be important, too, for dispersing the future volume of tourism
in Loango National Park, especially toward the beach. If lodges are
created properly (according to Parcs Gabon sustainable standards and
approvals), Akaka can be developed for tourism without disturbing
wildlife or creating negative tourism experiences. Uninhabited by villagers,
the former Akaka village site is starting to be used by Operation Loango.

Part of Akaka will likely be explored for petroleum. Conditioned by

extremely careful environmental mitigation measures, the possiblilty of
a unique relationship between oil extraction and conservation could
be envisioned.

As hunting declines, hippo populations increase, allowing people to get closer to them. Akaka is a The incredible fauna of Akaka is worth the nickname of "The Okavango of Gabon." Here visitors can Majestic African Manatees frequent the waterways of Akaka. Animal-friendly propellors may be
paradise for nature photographers. observe how animals - like elephants and water birds - use the same habitat. required on boats to ensure no harm to these endangered beauties.

LOANGO NATIONAL PARK 68

New Technology Enables Proper
Construction
GREEN DESIGN RESPECTS A SENSITIVE ENVIRONMENT

Using waterless toilets and other new technologies, with concepts like
"treehouse" and floating barge designs, and architecture that enhances
natural airflow but excludes insects, new lodges can bring visitors deep
into nature without adverse effects. The goal is to make nature
comfortable for people, while protecting the entire ecosystem. Special Natural ventilation is maximized by architectural
design and by siting under trees and over water
biological filtration containers are designed to naturally filter grey water. for natural cooling. No air conditioning needed
A variety of covered, mosquito-protected tented platforms and lodges will for guest comfort.
employ natural methods to bring visitors up close to nature. Sited under
existing trees for shade, roofs will be designed with ventilation maximizers
such as solar chimneys to increase airflow naturally without need for
air-conditioning (which isolates the guests from the sounds of wilderness).

As self-propelled kayaks become popular, guests can be outfitted with

location transmitters so that if they become lost, they can be met by an
ecoguide. All visitors require ecoguide support.

Composting toilets will be built under each

building to capture human effluent.

At certain times mosquitoes are noticeable,

hence all buildings here will be screened.
Buildings will be fitted among and protect
Fuel storage (above) must be designed to prevent petroleum from entering the sensitive ecosystem natural vegetation for cooling effects.
here. Four-stroke engines are more ecologically sound than the more conventional two-stroke engines,
which scare wildlife with the noise they create.

Grey water recycling is important for effluent

from bathing and kitchen clean-up. Used water
will be captured and filtered by vats of
biologically -filtering local aquatic vegetation.
Elephant barriers are needed to protect this
green treat from being eaten in the dry season.
Native papyrus and sedges are renowned for heavy nutrient absorption needs – perfect for biological
filtration.
Akaka Lagoon Lodge would be built among big trees along the mud levees next to a major river through flooded forest. From here one can get spectacular
river views and views across adjacent flood plains (often elephant destinations), especially in the dry season when they transform into tallgrass meadows.
Waterbird congregations build seasonally along these permanent waters upstream river travelers will soon find themselves counting numbers
of kingfishers, cormorants and egrets. Birders will be looking for rare sights of Hartlaub’s Duck flocks and an occasional tiny African Pygmy Goose or
Black Crake.

69 LOANGO NATIONAL PARK

 Bringing Tourism to Akaka
VISION lagoons
LODGES SEEM TO FLOAT OVER MIRROR-LIKE WATERS

Expanded protection at Akaka is important in order to preserve this

biological treasure, and the area is also critical for expanding Loango’s

LOANGO
visitor capacity without crowding. Not all tourists can be at the beach at
once, hence multiple visitor destinations are important for dispersing
visitors around the entire park.

Building sustainably at Akaka also offers Gabon the opportunity to create

another distinctive icon for tourism promotion. Here it would be evocative
buildings on stilts and floating platforms over the water. By including
such “green” examples into marketing plans as a distinctive national mark,
Gabon positions itself as a unique and desirable tourist destination – and
one of the planet’s rare icons of proper sustainable design. As with other
Parcs Gabon designs, all park architecture must follow sustainability
guidelines, using green design and elements such as composting toilets.

Employment and community improvements would be stimulated for

nearby villages outside the park. Local people can supply park staff and
lodges with food via farming and sustainable fishing. The need for new
schools, clinics, and other infrastructure will increase in successful areas.
Advance planning is important to create model villages.

WCS & cresolus

ABOVE: Distinctive architectural designs fit into the existing habitat. The lodge sits on stilts that
emerge from the mirrored waters of the lagoons. Elevated structures, including buildings and
walkways, take visitors close to nature but offer protection from wildlife. Guided pirogue rides or
self-propelled kayaks allow extensive exploration of this animal-rich world.

RIGHT: The flooded forest is an appealingly moody place for visitors, where dark waters mirror all. The
process of bringing in tourism into all wildlife-rich areas requires up front assessment and ongoing
environmental monitoring.

LEFT: When heron colonies and African Darter nests are located, simple moving photography
observatories can be created to make nature photography easy. If birds don’t see people inside and
get used to seeing the floating structure, they will let photographers come close. Night explorations
could use the same boats to search for crocodiles and fishing owls. Similar moving observatories
have proven effective for tourism in Peru and Ecuador where visitors can approach parrots closely
without alarming the birds.

LOANGO NATIONAL PARK 70

NGO Activity CURRENT VISION
SOUTHERN LOANGO NATIONAL PARK GUIDING SERVICE:
A COMMUNITY-PUBLIC-PRIVATE- PARTNERSHIP (CPPP)

In Southern Loango, a unique teaming of a local non-governmental

organization, Ibonga, and park authorities is working to manage a
high class guiding service for the National Park.

While National Park staff focus on management issues of the Park, the
guiding aspect of the Park, including its professional eco-guide staff and
high class Visitor's Center, is managed by the guiding service with the
support of the local tourism operators’ association.

This guiding service is at the disposal of community-based and private

tourism operators alike. Visitors learn about different options for wildlife
observations and forest hikes, explore the local history and culture
(including handicraft demonstrations), and support the local guides
through guiding fees and donations. Such a community-public-private
partnership contributes to the sustainability of the Park and also to the
future of a growing number of local community-based tourism initiatives.
Each partner acts in his area of expertise, and in collaboration for the
overall success of Southern Loango National Park.

CENTER: Interior sketch for a new park visitor center that will be designed and built
in a cooperative effort between the EU, the Gabonese Architects Guild, Parcs Gabon, Ibonga,
Smithsonian, WCS, and WWF. Smithsonian will provide specimens and help with displays while
Ibonga and WWF will equip the center with audio-visual equipment, display materials, books,
and maps. The Sette Cama Wildlife Brigade will be closely associated with the center as well.

Sette Cama Wildlife Brigade and WWF work closely with EU-funded PSVAP (here Biyogho-Bi-Essono
II, Eric Magaya, and Manuelle Prunier) to develop valuable training programs.
71 LOANGO NATIONAL PARK
Ibonga offers environmental classes for local schools, as well as summer camps and excursions. Adventures Sans Frontières (ASF) conducts scientific monitoring and surveys at four field sites along
The program was developed in collaboration with government agencies, WWF, and other NGO’s. This program Gabon’s coast. In partnership with Loango NP, ASF monitors 35 km of nesting beach in the Iguela area. ASF
has reached hundreds of students, and recently expanded to include teacher training also works on a threat reduction program and works with hotel owners to develop turtle tourism. WWF and
and environmental curriculum. Ibonga also run turtle programs near Gamba.

ABOVE: CI and architect Hitesh Mehta envisioned ways for wildlife to move naturally through the
environment unimpeded. Buildings use existing trees for natural cooling, minimizing the need for
expensive, energy-intensive air conditioning.
The World Wildlife Fund has expansive research projects in the Gamba area, much of which are
supported by the Shell Foundation. Here, WWF’s Brigitte Carr (Gabon’s National Coordinator), Pauwel
De Wachter, Bas Huijbregts, and Beth Coates of Cresolus Design work together on tourism planning.
CURRENT
VISION
ABOVE: The existing cabins at Conseil Beach can be rebuilt to attract a mid-market clientele as
recommended by Conservation International. This could be done in a relatively inexpensive manner.
Converting them from small, stark, hot cabins, they would be renewed with windows for ventilation,
additions for space, planting of native beach trees and pergolas for shade, and creation of guests'
private areas. (Designs above and left included in CI’s report, Towards Ecotourism in Gabon: The
Loango Region. April 2004.)
The World Wildlife Fund and USAID have a long
history of support at Gamba.
The Smithsonian Institute has expansive research projects in the Gamba area, much of which are
supported by the Shell Foundation.
collaboration in gamba
JOINT EFFORTS TO REVITALIZE THE LOCAL ECONOMY
Lack of work and opportunities make the Gamba area a priority for
socioeconomic revitalization.
A progressive decline in oil production from the region is expected and
LOANGO
unless new reserves are discovered soon, oil will make less and less of a
contribution to the local economy. It is likely, therefore, that the
community will need to evolve, in terms of size and worker skills, in the
medium or longer term. Shell Gabon and Shell Foundation initiated an
“After Oil Development Program” in 2002. The purpose of the program is
to identify and implement a diversity of income-generating initiatives that
enhance sustainable livelihoods of people living in and around Gamba
town, while assuring long term management and protection for
biodiversity in the Gamba Complex.
Tourism development has been identified as one of the key potential
economical drivers for the area after oil. In October 2004, a Memorandum
of Understanding was signed to set up a Steering Committee responsible
for supervising implementation of the After Oil program. The Steering
Committee includes: Shell Gabon, Shell Foundation, WWF Gamba,
le Fonds d'Expansion et de Développement des petites et moyennes
Entreprises (FODEX), National Emlpoyment Office (ONE), The After
Oil Reflection Committee - AORC, the Municipality of Gamba,
and the District Council of Ndougou.
Economic revitalization will benefit residents
of the Gamba area - especially important
“post petrol.”
LOANGO NATIONAL PARK 72
Community Activities
NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL PEOPLE

To promote active community participation in tourism, PSVAP (sponsored

by the EU) created a project for professional development in Sette Cama.
After numerous village meetings, training sessions were organized
according to local talent and interests. Fifteen people took part in a tailor-
made hotel and catering course. Two of the women now work as
housekeepers in Case Abietu, and the others formed catering groups to
provide guest meals and service for independent operators and private
visitors. Meals consist of mostly local ingredients, which extends benefits
to fishermen and small farmers.

MARKETING LOCAL CRAFTS

A number of older women from Sette Cama and the neighboring camps
formed an artisans group under the name Mama
Mafubu, to supply souvenirs for the tourist
market. The women adapted traditional
Pandanu weaving to create floor and table
mats, and a few men joined the group as
sculptors. To facilitate access to the
market, PSVAP and Ibonga manage the
purchase and resale of craftwork from the
Mama Mafubu. A traditional style wooden
cabin has been built, by PSVAP, at Gamba airport to
serve as a sales outlet for local crafts and a tourism information office.

ABOVE: The award ceremony: participants who

successfully completed a hospitality training
program proudly display their certificates.

LEFT: Tourists enjoy lunch on the terrace of

Case Abietu, skillfully prepared and served by a
catering service run by village women.

RIGHT: A spontaneous welcome at Case Abietu

by the village children. Revenues generated and
shared with the community lead to enthusiasm
for tourism and parks.

73 LOANGO NATIONAL PARK

SUCCESFUL LOCAL GUIDE SERVICE

Loango’s pioneering ecoguide training program was designed by the

community tourism at loango
BENEFITTING BOTH LOCAL PEOPLE AND VISITORS
National Foresty Service in collaboration with WWF, PSVAP, WCS, CI,
and other NGOs. Ten local men were trained to become ecoguides in the
Community-based tourism is increasingly popular worldwide, as a way to
park, three of whom now work with the private
generate support from local communities while benefitting tourism. Local
operators of Sette Cama. Six other guides,
populations will only support conservation and National Parks if they see
previously unemployed, are involved in the
economic or social benefits and have a sound understanding of the issues at

LOANGO
community tourism enterprise managed by
stake. Communities that are in favor of tourism development contribute
PSVAP and Ibonga, a local NGO.
significantly by welcoming tourists and by sharing knowledge and culture -
thus enhancing the visitor experience and stabilizing tourism services.
The guides combine skills acquired during
training with ancestral forest knowledge and
With the support of PSVAP (Sectoral Programme for the development of
tracking talents (some guides were previously
protected areas, under the aegis of the European Union), the village of
hunters) to help tourists discover Loango through an
Sette Cama, near south Loango, is becoming directly involved in tourism
expert’s eyes. Tourists enjoy firsthand knowledge about local wildlife,
activities. A village cooperative called Abietu-Bi-Sette Cama (meaning “for
wetlands, forests, and traditional plant use. Futhermore, guides foster
the benefit of Sette Cama” in the local Lumbu language) organizes local
relationships between tourists and the local community.
people for ecotourism services including accommodations, catered meals,
guided walks and wildlife viewing, craftwork production and sales, and
The guiding service will be closely associated with the future Visitor Center
traditional dances.
planned for Sette Cama Wildlife Brigade.

The Case Abietu guest house offers a postive example of community

involvement in tourism. Abietu is managed jointly by the village
cooperative and GIC, an NGO created by the Regional Council in order to
support and promote community development initiatives. GIC provides
assistance with marketing, bookings, airport pick-ups and tourist
transportation, as well as coordination of operations in Sette Cama and
Gamba. All income from Abietu’s craft sales and tourism activities is
locally redistributed in various forms: remuneration for tourism personnel
and income for crafts people. A majority of the profits made by Case
Abietu go to the Regional Council, while 40% of profits are gathered into
a village fund managed by the Cooperative. (Proceeds from park entry
tickets go to National Park authorities. ) The funds are used to finance
community projects chosen by the cooperative and the village. A sense of
ownership developed among the area’s residents insures the future of
community tourism activities and encourages local interest in maintaining
the Park.

Abietu has successfully attracted clients since its opening in January 2004.
Many guests have returned and an overwhelming majority of bookings are
stimulated by word-of-mouth recommendations - word has spread to tour
operators around the world. This exemplifies the global demand for
authentic tourism products and encounters with the local population.

TOP RIGHT: Ecoguides studying together in a training session.

MIDDLE RIGHT: A guide educating visitors in Sette Cama’s historical cemetery. Tourists are hungry for
cultural information and the history of the place.

RIGHT: Camping in the shade of Manilkara trees at Pointe Milango.

LOANGO NATIONAL PARK 74