Minkébé National Park, National park in Woleu-Ntem Province, Gabon.
Minkébé is a national park that spans a large area of dense rainforest in northeastern Gabon and includes four major rivers plus ancient granite mountains with rounded peaks. The terrain is shaped by natural waterways flowing through the green landscape and by distinctive rock formations that rise above the forest canopy.
The region was home to Fang peoples for centuries before official protection came to the landscape. Its designation as a national park in 2002 transformed it into a major conservation area.
The name comes from the Fang language and means valleys or hollows in the local dialect. Indigenous communities maintain their traditional connection to the forest, which remains central to their way of life.
Reaching the park requires advance planning due to minimal infrastructure in this remote forest region. Hiring local guides through agencies is advisable to navigate the terrain safely and make the most of your visit.
The park shelters one of Africa's largest elephant populations, with thousands of these animals living throughout the forest. This high concentration of large mammals makes it a crucial refuge for endangered species.
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