Mayumba National Park National Park

Address: Mayumba National Park, Nyanga Province, Gabon

Mayumba National Park is a protected coastal and marine area in Nyanga Province of southern Gabon established to conserve coastal habitats and marine life. The park encompasses shoreline, dune systems and adjacent offshore waters that support key wildlife populations.

The park is particularly noted for its importance to marine turtles which use the beaches for nesting, and for seasonal visits by large marine species along the coast. Terrestrial and coastal ecosystems within the park include beach, dune and nearshore marine habitats.

The protected area was created to safeguard these coastal ecosystems and the species they support, and it is managed as part of Gabon’s network of national parks and reserves.

Mayumba National Park lies on Gabon’s southwestern Atlantic coast in Nyanga Province, facing the South Atlantic and set within a remote stretch of shoreline south of the provincial capital; access is by road from regional centers and typically requires planning due to limited local infrastructure.

• Conservation importance: Long sandy beaches and coastal waters here are important nesting sites for marine turtles and support seasonal marine megafauna, making the park significant for marine conservation.

Access is usually via the town of Mayumba; regional flights and overland roads connect to local hubs, and boat charters serve coastal surveys. Travel logistics are best arranged through local tour operators or conservation groups.

• If possible, join a guided boat survey to see nesting leatherback turtles (seasonal) and the coastal birdlife.
• Bring binoculars - the park's shoreline is excellent for observing cetaceans and migratory birds.
• Prepare for basic facilities and remote conditions; camps and lodges are minimal and often community-run.