One of the strong assets of the Fondation Lékédi Biodiversité is its 14,000-hectare park located in Bakoumba.
The Lekedi Park hosts emblematic animal species of the region and is open to schoolchildren, students, and visitors.
As a true scientific station, the Park also benefits from infrastructures (accommodations, laboratories) that allow scientists to conduct long-term programs.
Our contribution to international databases
Since 2022, the Lekedi Biodiversity Foundation has been actively contributing to the global iNaturalist database, a citizen science platform that helps identify wildlife and plants while generating useful data for research and conservation.
Thanks to its field teams and monitoring programs, the Foundation has already shared more than 1,140 observations, representing nearly 440 different species. This data enhances the knowledge of the park’s biodiversity and its surroundings, while also increasing the visibility of Gabon’s natural heritage within an international scientific community.
Ecosystem map
Click to enlarge
Visit the Park
The Lekedi Park welcomes you throughout the year for an extraordinary and unforgettable adventure. Although visits are possible all year round, the months of May and June are the most beautiful. July and August have the advantage of being dry, but forest animals will be less visible.
Seated at the back of a 4×4, you will observe wild buffaloes, harnessed guibs, birds, and you might have the chance to see sitatungas before crossing the cable bridge to observe chimpanzees in the canopy.
You will also be able to discover the Mandrills. Very difficult to observe in the wild, Lekedi Park is fortunate to host two groups accustomed to humans. Your visit will allow you to get as close as possible to these animals living in complete freedom.
This approach is only done in small groups (a maximum of 5 people) and can be physically demanding, as the mandrills move according to their will. For safety reasons, this visit is prohibited for children under 12 years old. Wearing a mask is mandatory as soon as you are near the Mandrills, as with all primates.
Prepare your visit
The Park is open all year round on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays between 7:00 AM and 4:00 PM, except on rainy days.
Tour departures:
- In the morning between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM
- In the afternoon between 2:00 PM and 2:30 PM
Visits are only conducted by reservation and in the presence of a guide.
Rates:
- Adult (from 12 years old): 10,000 CFA / €15
- Mandrills: 20,000 CFA / €30
- Children under 12 years old: 5,000 CFA / €7
- Free for children under 3 years old
Payment methods: cash on-site
Our advice:
- Bring a cap, a bottle of water, and an insect repellent spray.
- Wearing suitable walking shoes is highly recommended.
- Don’t forget your camera to capture your visit and your binoculars to observe the park’s residents up close!
Access to the park:
By road from Moanda, follow the direction of Bakoumba towards Congo, at the customs intersection. After 45 km of road, 7 km before reaching the village of Bakoumba, take the track (1 km) to the park. Signs indicate the entrance to the Lekedi Park.
Park Regulations
To preserve the environment of the Lékédi Park, for the well-being of our residents, and to ensure you have a peaceful visit, we kindly ask you to adhere to the following guidelines during your visit:
- A park guide is mandatory unless expressly authorized by management.
- Dogs and other domestic animals are not allowed to enter the park.
- Feeding the park animals is prohibited.
- For the animals’ tranquility, it is forbidden to approach them within 5 meters.
- Do not shout or make sudden gestures in front of the animals.
- Do not photograph the animals up close with a flash.
- Do not pick plants.
- Do not get out of the vehicle unless authorized by the guide.
- The speed limit within the park is 40 km/h.
- Please take your waste with you.