Weather in Gabon

Gabon has a complex climate determined by two wet seasons and two dry seasons, each creating different wildlife viewing conditions. The long dry season from June through August is generally considered the best time to visit, particularly for wildlife. Vegetation thins, animals concentrate around water sources, and forest trails are more passable. In Loango, this is when the famous beach wildlife encounters — elephants, hippos, buffalo, and even gorillas on the beach — are most likely.

The short dry season in December and January offers another good window, with pleasant temperatures and manageable rainfall. The long rainy season runs from September through November, and the short rainy season falls in March and April. During rainy periods, forest roads become impassable mud tracks, boat transfers are more challenging, and mosquitoes are more abundant. However, the forest is at its most lush and birding is exceptional year-round. The peak gorilla-tracking season in Lopé runs from June through September when forest fruit production draws them closer to research areas.