Lope National Park is located in the rainforest of central Gabon. It was created in 1946 and is the first protective area in the country. It was opened to public in 2002 and UNESCO has listed the park as the World Heritage Site in 2007 for its wildlife and anthropological value it holds. The total area covered under the park is approximately 4910 square kilometers and is the most famous ecotourism destination in Gabon.
The Ogooue River flow through the park and is a prime route for trading activities of the country. The park is equipped with a small research center, known as Mikongo, and is managed by Wildlife Conservation Society. Tourists are allowed to visit the center and take active part in the daily research program. The main objective behind creating the park was to protect the wild animals from several illegal activities such as hunting and poaching.
Lope National Park is rich in its biodiversity as it includes 50 local gorillas, mandrills, chimpanzees and many more. Other than these, the park also has Duikers, Leopards, Forest Elephants, Forest Buffaloes and Red River Hogs. Sightseeing and watching the birds are the main attractions in the National Park.