Gabon

Gabon is shaping up to be Africa’s next big ecotourism destination. Thanks to President El Hadj Omar Bongo’s designation of a whopping 10 percent of the country’s land as national parks — closing it down to loggers and miners and opening it up to travelers, conservationists and ecotourists — it’s now possible to explore endless white-sand beaches, primate-filled tropical rainforests, rolling savannahs and estuaries. Probably the most beautiful of the country’s parks, Loango National Park is located on the Southern Gabon coast, and is renowned for its surfing hippos. The wilds of Eastern Gabon are where you’ll find the Ivindo National Park, with its own eco-camp and resident elephants and gorillas. Nature and wildlife lovers will not be disappointed: long days of trekking will be rewarded with seeing wild creatures in their own pristine environment.