Ivindo National Park

National Park Biodiverse park featuring dramatic waterfalls and rainforest

Ivindo National Park follows the Ivindo River in Gabon, noted for Kongou Falls, rainforest canopy and wildlife viewing-appeals include boat trips, waterfall visits and forest safaris.

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Ivindo National Park protects a large tract of lowland rainforest centered on the Ivindo River basin in eastern-central Gabon, preserving intact river corridors and high biodiversity.

The park’s best-known attraction is Kongou Falls, a powerful cascade on the Ivindo River; the park also hosts populations of forest elephants, great apes and many bird species. Scientific facilities such as research stations support long-term biodiversity monitoring and ecological study.

Ivindo was designated to protect the riverine rainforests and the outstanding biological values of the basin and remains an important area for conservation and field research.

The park sits in Ogooué-Ivindo Province in central-eastern Gabon and covers remote rainforest upstream from the lowland coastal regions.

  • Major waterfall: Kongou Falls is a high-volume cataract on the Ivindo River and a key geographical landmark for visitors and researchers.

What to See #

  • Kongou Falls: Kongou Falls, a major waterfall on the Ivindo River and one of the park's most prominent natural features.
  • Ipassa research station: Ipassa research station and other scientific facilities used for biodiversity monitoring in the Ivindo basin.
Ivindo National Park
0.0880, 12.6300

How to Get to Ivindo National Park #

Access usually begins in Makokou (the nearest town with an airstrip). From Makokou, visitors travel by river boat or 4x4 to park access points. Organized tours and eco-lodges arrange transfers; independent travel is difficult due to river and road conditions.

Tips for Visiting Ivindo National Park #

  • Visit the Kongou Falls section during the dry season for safer viewing and river navigation.
  • Hire guides from Makokou-local guides know river conditions and the best vantage points for wildlife and waterfalls.
  • Bring a waterproof bag and expect humidity; camera equipment needs protection when approaching cascades.

Best Time to Visit Ivindo National Park #

Dry season is preferred for access; wet season offers dramatic water features but harder logistics.

Dry season
June-September · 22-28°C
Easier river travel and better access to waterfalls and trails.
Wet season
November-May · 24-30°C
Rivers are high and waterfalls thunder; some sections may be inaccessible.

Weather & Climate near Ivindo National Park #

Climate

Ivindo National Park's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 18°C to 30°C. Abundant rainfall (1669 mm/year), wettest in October with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 84 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
37°
Warmest Month
18°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 20°C. Regular rainfall (97 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
20° 29°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

97 mm
Rainfall
0.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.7
UV Index
Very High
12.0h daylight

February

February is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Significant rainfall (117 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
20° 29°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

117 mm
Rainfall
1.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.7
UV Index
Very High
12.0h daylight

March

March is the warmest month with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Significant rainfall (197 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

67 Good

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
20° 30°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

197 mm
Rainfall
1.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
12.0h daylight

April

April is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Significant rainfall (195 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
20° 30°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

195 mm
Rainfall
1.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
12.0h daylight

May

May is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Significant rainfall (192 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

67 Good

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
20° 29°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

192 mm
Rainfall
1.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.7
UV Index
Very High
12.0h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 20°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
20° 27°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

48 mm
Rainfall
0.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
12.0h daylight

July

July is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 18°C. The driest month with just 10 mm and mostly overcast skies.

81 Excellent

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
18° 26°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

10 mm
Rainfall
1.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.2
UV Index
High
12.0h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 19°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
19° 26°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

19 mm
Rainfall
1.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
12.0h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (131 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

67 Good

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
20° 28°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

131 mm
Rainfall
1.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
12.0h daylight

October

October is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). The wettest month with heavy rain (285 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
20° 29°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

285 mm
Rainfall
1.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
12.0h daylight

November

November is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Heavy rain (244 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
20° 29°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

244 mm
Rainfall
0.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.7
UV Index
Very High
12.0h daylight

December

December is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Significant rainfall (134 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

69 Good

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
20° 28°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

134 mm
Rainfall
0.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
12.0h daylight

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