Travel Guide Parc National De Waka

The Ngounié region is home to a little-known park with no tourist facilities and very few visitors. This is Waka National Park, located north of Mouila, in the Chaillu massif. The park's difficult access and steep terrain have worked in its favor, protecting it from human intervention and making it a biodiversity paradise with a rich natural habitat. Covering an area of 1,070 km², the park consists of a deep, straight, 100-kilometer-long forest fault in the heart of Mitsogo country. A forest refuge for many endemic species, which prior to 2002 were threatened by logging operations, it is home to over 1,500 different plant species, around 85 mammals, over 400 bird species and an undefined number of reptiles and amphibians. To reach the park from Sindara, head towards Ikobey. Once you've reached Ikobey, you're 10 kilometers from the park, which you'll pass through the Pygmy and Tchibanga villages. However, to plan an excursion to Waka National Park, you "need to be ready for anything and highly motivated". You'll need to bring two spare tires, tools, chocks, machetes, repair equipment in case of breakdown and, of course, camping gear.