Birougou National Park, National park in Ngounié Province and Ogooué-Lolo Province, Gabon
Birougou National Park stretches across rainforest and mountainous terrain in two provinces of Gabon. The landscape contains diverse primate species, bird populations, reptiles, and plant communities that vary across different elevations and forest zones.
The park was established in 2002 as part of Gabon's commitment to protecting its natural landscapes. Its nomination as a Tentative World Heritage Site came afterward, recognizing its importance for biodiversity conservation.
The Bantu communities living near the park have long depended on forest resources through hunting and gathering, practices that remain central to their way of life today. This deep connection to the woodland shapes how local people move through and use the surrounding landscape.
Visitors must obtain official permits before entering, and it is best to arrange access through local tour operators who know the hiking trails well. Plan your visit during drier months when forest paths are easier to navigate.
The mountains run north to south, creating wind patterns that produce distinct climate zones on either side of the ridge. These conditions allow different animal and plant species to thrive in separate microclimates within the same park.
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