Pongara lodge is a 45-min boat ride from Libreville. It’s located on the ocean side of the Pointe Denis, in the Pongara National Park. Just 8 bungalows and a restaurant area, very comfortable and all made of wood, overlooking the savannah and the ocean in the background. We come here for a couple of days to rest and to find just a bit of adventure.
The best moment we spend here is on a kayak, paddling our way along the laguna and the mangrove. Prior to our first moves on the water, the park ranger made a thorough hippo check, to make sure we will not meet with the two regular grey guests of the area.
It’s all lush, peaceful and slightly spooky at the same time, as it’s difficult not to think of the 2 hippos. We paddle far, where the laguna is only separated from the ocean by a few dozen meters of sand.
On the ocean side, it looks like the beach never ends… The sea is very warm, we spend quite some time playing in the waves, remaining very careful at all times, since they can be very powerful and the tide feels strong.
a huge lizard left its unmistakable trace
We take a short ride at dusk through the savannah aboard a very worn out but still alive Toyota Hilux, stopping by a few buffaloes who do not get even mildly interested in us.
It’s a nice feeling to be so close to the city and at the same time completely remote from civilisation – it helps that there is no Internet whatsoever in Pongara. Evenings are brilliant, because of the sunset of course, but also thanks to the talents of the cook!
Tanad stories from Gabon 