The National Park of Mayumba
The national park of Mayumba
A unique national park in the world for Leatherback turtles to lay eggs
DISCOVER OUR NATIOANAL PARKS
- THE NATIONAL PARK OF PONGARA
- THE NATIONAL PARK OF AKANDA
- THE NATIONAL PARK OF MONTS DE CRISTAL
- THE NATIONAL PARK OF MINKÉBÉ
- THE NATIONAL PARK OF MWAGNA
- THE NATIONAL PARK OF MAYUMBA
- THE NATIONAL PARK OF IVINDO
- THE NATIONAL PARK OF LA LOPÉ
- THE NATIONAL PARK OF WAKA
- THE NATIONAL PARK OF LOANGO
- THE NATIONAL PARK OF MOUKALABA DOUDOU
- THE NATIONAL PARK OF BIROUGOU
- THE NATIONAL PARK OF PLATEAUX BATÉKÉ
A true jewel of the marine parks, the national park of Mayumba protects a coastal area of 920km2 in the extreme South West region of Gabon.
A National park for the preservation of marine life
The major traits of the Mayumba Coast are: beach of sand, wide lagoons of freshwater and brackish water, mangroves swamps and swamps where savannahs and forest cannot be perceived. It makes the difference thanks to its rich biodiversity sheltering the shore animals (mongoose, crabs, “fantômes”), but also through birds, primates (mandrills, Chimpanzees) and the great deal of coastal fishes. Each year, between November and April, Gabon becomes one of the most important sites of eggs laying in the world. The truth is 30% of the world’s population of turtles transit in Gabon, the major part transit especially in Mayumba. 550 females may be beached in one night on the 80 km separating the city of Mayumba from the Congolese borders. The preservation of those turtles considered as endangered species was the main reason of the creation of this national park.
Among the seven or eight species known in the world, four are met in Gabon : the Sallow turtle (known as Lepidochelys olivacea), the Overlapping turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), the Green turtle(Chelonia mydas); but the most common turtle we can meet here is the Leatherback turtle. Those turtles can be observed in three main sites in Gabon. From October to March, with a peak between December and January, come and enjoy the late eggs laying in those protected species in the protected area of Pongara , Loango, and Mayumba.
The favorite moment to enjoy observing them is during the night fall and at the end of the eggs laying period. Mayumba is among the first marine parks in Africa, created for the preservation one of the most important site in the world in order to favor the eggs laying, and the reproduction of a great variety of fish and humpback whales.
A unique site for the observation of humpback whales
Many tourists and scientists come and visit that park in order to nump into humpback whales. More than 10% of humpback whales in the world come and set in the deep water of Mayumba each year during their annual migration of reproduction between June and October.
The spectacle is striking: whales fly out from the water and make impressive figures. During this spectacle, it’s possible to encounter dolphins, and most of the time humpback dolphins fly alongside the visitors’ ships. In the deep water you can see an impressive rounding up of the manta ray: a fascinating animal which secrets we still ignore.
It’s important to know that in the Gabonese water of the Golf of Guinea, that sea area is ran through during the dry season, by the cold currents of BENGUELA, a great deal of the nourishing plankton coming from the Antarctic. The current starts from May/ June and lasts until the end of September and it is considered as the main place for the coupling of the whales.
Fifteen species of cetaceans have been observed: six mysticicete (rorquals and Whales) and nine odontocetes (cachalots and dolphins). They are migratory animals that spend the summer, be it boreal or austral, in the cold waters near to the poles where they feed themselves. Gabon is one of the best destinations for the whales’ observation of the humpback whales. Those whales from the Antarctic come in the cold water for the reproduction and to deliver. Humpback whales are present from the end of June to the end of September with a peak between middle July and middle August.Many places on earth can be praised for the whales that we can find there , but the frenzy of the coupling on the Gabonese coast prove that they are the most active places in the world. The humpback whales observation is performed offshore in Cap Lopez (Port Gentil) , Loango, Pongara and Mayumba.
Good to know
If you are planning on coming to Gabon, please take your time , stop over at the National park of Mayumba. The place is wonderfull for adventure lonely or with your relative. Easily identifiable, the national park of Mayumba is remarkable in Central Africa, especially in Gabon.
Quite easily identifiable, the landscape of the National park of Mayumba is original in Africa, in Gabon to be specific. It benefit from a perfect orientation. It enable you to enjoy almost the view of the local flora and fauna as close as possible.
There is something in it for everybody and will enjoy the pleasure of the nature. Memories that you won’t forget. The national park of Mayumba is a wonderful place with its exceptional and unbelievable sceneries
The fauna and the Flora of National Park
The beaches have a great variety in terms of animals such as: Varanus, genet, sand crabs and coastal birds. Buffaloes, elephants and other animals are frequently encountered on the beaches and in the dense vegetation all along the sand dune bordering the coast. In those deep forest, gorillas, chimpanzees, mandrills and other primates live there those forests and savannah found behind the dunes.
Some lagoons extend in the deep forest, mixed with Islands, canals and rivers. Those are the productive ecosystems, main sources of a rich flora and fauna, benefiting from mangroves, flooded with water and swamps. We can find hippopotamus, crocodiles and manatees. The mangroves are a specific place for the reproduction of some important species of fish and birds.
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