Ethnic expedition to Babongo Pygmies, Bwiti ceremony with Povis and national parks of equatorial Africa
GABON + EQUATORIAL GUINEA
July 25 - August 6, 2026
Gabon, Equatorial Guinea
Tour Gabon, tour equatorial guinea
July 25 - August 6, 2026
Gabon, Equatorial Guinea
Tour Gabon, tour equatorial guinea
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Gabon primeval rainforest traditional Pygmy tribes Babongo hunting wild honey Bwiti ceremony Iboga hallucinogenic initiation consciousness expansion hunting skills state religion Povis people traditional village darkness wilderness fire light white kaolin hallucinogenic trance traditional Africa animistic traditions rituals jungle people pristine region Loango National Park elephants ocean western lowland gorillas amateur ethnographer photographer ethnics natural beauty Equatorial Guinea expedition
Primeval rainforest of Gabon remains one of the last places on Earth where few traditional Pygmies’ tribes still survive. Babongo people go hunting, collect wild honey from the top of trees and practice, along with neighboring tribes, Bwiti ceremony taking the hallucinogenic Iboga plant in order to become initiated, to expand consciousness and to boost their hunting skills. Gabon appears the only country which consider Bwiti as a state religion.
We are going to attend a mysterious Bwiti ceremony of the Povis people in a traditional village, shrouded in darkness and the sounds of the wilderness, where only the light of the fire illuminates the white kaolin painted faces of the hallucinogenic trance followers — one of the most vivid experiences that traditional Africa has to offer. It will be a powerful and incomparable encounter with the ancient animistic traditions and rituals of the jungle people.
Our expedition to one of the world’s most pristine regions also explores the unique and iconic ecosystem and wildlife of Loango National park with its elephants bathing in the ocean and impressive population of western lowland gorillas.
In the company of amateur ethnographer and photographer we also discover the ethnics and natural beauty of Equatorial Guinea.
We are going to attend a mysterious Bwiti ceremony of the Povis people in a traditional village, shrouded in darkness and the sounds of the wilderness, where only the light of the fire illuminates the white kaolin painted faces of the hallucinogenic trance followers — one of the most vivid experiences that traditional Africa has to offer. It will be a powerful and incomparable encounter with the ancient animistic traditions and rituals of the jungle people.
Our expedition to one of the world’s most pristine regions also explores the unique and iconic ecosystem and wildlife of Loango National park with its elephants bathing in the ocean and impressive population of western lowland gorillas.
In the company of amateur ethnographer and photographer we also discover the ethnics and natural beauty of Equatorial Guinea.
SСHEDULE AND COST:
Dates: July 25 – August 6, 2026
Duration: 13 days / 12 nights
EXPEDITION COMPLETED
TRAVEL PROGRAM: tour to Gabon and Equatorial Guinea
Day 1. July 25, 2026 (Saturday). ARRIVAL IN LIBREVILLE (GABON)
Meeting at Libreville airport and transfer to the Boulevard Hotel. Free time in Libreville, the capital of Gabon. Dinner and overnight at the Boulevard Hotel or similar.
Accommodation: Boulevard Hotel or similar
Meals: Dinner
Day 2. July 26, 2026 (Sunday). LIBREVILLE – LAMBARÉNÉ (240 km, 3.5–4 hours travel time)
Breakfast. At 8:00 am (or earlier), departure to Lambaréné. Along the way, a stop at the Equator and a visit to the village of Bibun to meet the Fang tribe, famous for their masks and sculptures. Tour of the village, observing the mask-making process. Continue to Lambaréné. Arrival around 1:00 pm, check-in at the Hotel Ogooué Palace. After lunch, a boat trip on the Ogooué River to observe hippos. Then, a visit to the Albert Schweitzer Museum. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Ogooué Palace
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3. July 27, 2026 (Monday). LAMBARÉNÉ – FOUGAMOU. BWITI CEREMONY (95 km, 1.5 hours travel time)
Breakfast. At 8:30 am, departure to Fougamou. Along the way, a visit to a small Simba tribe village. Arrival in Fougamou around 11:00 am, hotel check-in. After lunch, a visit to the local market. Then, a trip to a place where the Simba, Ogandi and Songo tribes traditionally use the iboga plant. Return to the hotel for dinner. At 8:00 pm, attendance at a Bwiti ceremony, where local participants, having taken iboga, perform traditional dances and rituals. The ceremony can last more than 4 hours or continue until morning.
Accommodation: Hotel Ngounié
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4. July 28, 2026 (Tuesday). FOUGAMOU – BABONGO PYGMY VILLAGE OF IKOBÉ, WAKA NATIONAL PARK (80 km, approx. 2 hours travel time)
Breakfast. At 9:30 am, departure to the village of Ikobé, home to the Babongo pygmies, located within Waka National Park. Along the way, a visit to a mixed village of Babongo pygmies and the Punu people. Arrival in Ikobé around 12:30 pm, lunch. In the afternoon, observe the process of building traditional huts by Babongo women and learn about the daily life of the pygmies. The day ends with traditional dances.
Accommodation: Tents in the village, or hotel accommodation at Hotel Ngounié (for an additional fee)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5. July 29, 2026 (Wednesday). IKOBÉ – ACTIVITIES WITH THE PYGMIES
Breakfast at 7:30 am. From 8:30 am, join a hunt with the Babongo people in traditional dress, trekking deep into the forest, and observe traditional wild honey collection. Return to Ikobé for lunch. In the afternoon, learn about the use of medicinal plants in traditional Babongo medicine. Fishing, if the river level allows. After dinner, an optional iboga ceremony (additional fee) conducted by the Babongo and Punu peoples, involving the use of the iboga plant, dances, and rituals. The ceremony can last until around 3:00 am or later. Participation is discussed with local elders and may require an additional fee. Some participants may choose to return earlier to Hotel Ngounié. Taking iboga carries potential health risks and participation is entirely at each participant's own discretion.
Accommodation: Tents in the village, or hotel accommodation at Hotel Ngounié (for an additional fee)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6. July 30, 2026 (Thursday). IKOBÉ – FOUGAMOU – NDJOLÉ – LIBREVILLE (450 km, approx. 8 hours travel time)
Breakfast at 7:30 am. At 8:00 am, departure to Ndjolé. Along the way, a visit to the Songo village, where members of the Punu people also live. Arrival in Ndjolé, lunch. In the afternoon, visit the large Ndjolé market, where you can see representatives of various ethnic groups (Fang, Songo, Simba, Iga, and others). Drive to Libreville.
Accommodation: Hotel Hibiscus Louis or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7. July 31, 2026 (Friday). LIBREVILLE – PORT-GENTIL – LOANGO NATIONAL PARK
Early breakfast. Departure from the hotel. Morning flight from Libreville to Port-Gentil (8:00–8:35 am). Upon arrival, check-in at the remote Ndola Camp lodge, located in the forest with a view of the Igela Lagoon — a gateway to the unique savannah and forest landscapes of central Gabon. After lunch, a safari to observe elephants, buffaloes, and other mammals and birds. In the evening, a beach walk in search of sea turtles and, possibly, elephants bathing in the ocean. Dinner at Ndola Lodge.
Accommodation: Ndola Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8. August 1, 2026 (Saturday). LOANGO NATIONAL PARK Early breakfast. Savannah safari in Loango National Park to observe elephants, buffaloes, monkeys, and other wildlife. In the evening, a walking safari along the beach in search of sea turtles and, under favorable conditions, elephants on the shore.
Accommodation: Ndola Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 9. August 2, 2026 (Sunday). LOANGO – OLAKO – GORILLA TREKKING AT FERNAN VAZ LAGOON – FLIGHT TO LIBREVILLE
Breakfast. Drive to Olako Hotel (approx. 60 km, 1 hour). Gorilla trekking near Fernan Vaz Lagoon (additional fee). The whole group returns to Olako for lunch, then transfers to Port-Gentil airport for the evening flight to Libreville at 8:45 pm. Overnight at the hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Hibiscus Louis or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 10. August 3, 2026 (Monday). LIBREVILLE – MALABO (EQUATORIAL GUINEA)
Early breakfast. Transfer to the airport. Flight to Malabo at 8:45 am. Arrival in Equatorial Guinea at 12:00, drive to the Down Village area, visiting local villages, then check-in at the Bisila Palace hotel.
Accommodation: Bisila Palace Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 11. August 4, 2026 (Tuesday). MALABO – MOKA – ILACHI (ILADI) WATERFALL – MOKA (95 km, approx. 2 hours travel time)
Breakfast at the hotel. Around 9:00 am, start of the Bioko Island excursion. Drive to the eastern part of the island via the Riaba highway, then on to the town of Moka. Arrival in Moka, hotel check-in. Visit to the Ilachi (Iladi) Waterfall with a local guide. Moka is a small town in the mountains of the volcanic massif in the south of Bioko Island, offering forests, panoramic views, and a chance to learn about the culture of the Bubi people. The Ilachi Falls are impressive, with three streams cascading from a height of about 250 meters. During the trek (6 km, 3–4 hours), you will need to ford river sections, with water sometimes reaching knee level. Return to the hotel in Moka, dinner.
Accommodation: Moka Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 12. August 5, 2026 (Wednesday). MOKA – MALABO Breakfast. Walk around Malabo and the Sipopo district: visit the Botanical Garden, the market, the Old Town, the Cathedral, and the Chamber and Teodolita House. Dinner, return to the hotel.
Accommodation: Bisila Palace Malabo
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 13. August 6, 2026 (Thursday). MALABO – PICO BASILÉ – RETURN FLIGHT
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Pico Basilé volcano (3,018 m), located within Pico Basilé National Park. Hike up to Basilé Church, situated at an altitude of 2,800 meters. Transfer to the airport for the 2:20 pm flight for those returning to Moscow. For participants with a later flight (after 8:00 pm), lunch and a walk around Malabo.
Accommodation: Not included
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
* The order of visits and excursions can be modified according to local conditions, i.e. state of roads, security situation in tribes, flight schedule etc. If some visits and/or tours could not be done due to external conditions, they will be replaced when possible.
** The participant of expedition to Gabon and Equatorial Guinea must be motivated to be respectful to the culture of local tribes and cultures, be aware of the objectives of the trip and possible program changes depending on weather conditions, security conditions and any other reasons, be in a good shape and morally stable, as well as be able to adapt to the new environment and culture.
Duration: 13 days / 12 nights
EXPEDITION COMPLETED
TRAVEL PROGRAM: tour to Gabon and Equatorial Guinea
Day 1. July 25, 2026 (Saturday). ARRIVAL IN LIBREVILLE (GABON)
Meeting at Libreville airport and transfer to the Boulevard Hotel. Free time in Libreville, the capital of Gabon. Dinner and overnight at the Boulevard Hotel or similar.
Accommodation: Boulevard Hotel or similar
Meals: Dinner
Day 2. July 26, 2026 (Sunday). LIBREVILLE – LAMBARÉNÉ (240 km, 3.5–4 hours travel time)
Breakfast. At 8:00 am (or earlier), departure to Lambaréné. Along the way, a stop at the Equator and a visit to the village of Bibun to meet the Fang tribe, famous for their masks and sculptures. Tour of the village, observing the mask-making process. Continue to Lambaréné. Arrival around 1:00 pm, check-in at the Hotel Ogooué Palace. After lunch, a boat trip on the Ogooué River to observe hippos. Then, a visit to the Albert Schweitzer Museum. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Ogooué Palace
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3. July 27, 2026 (Monday). LAMBARÉNÉ – FOUGAMOU. BWITI CEREMONY (95 km, 1.5 hours travel time)
Breakfast. At 8:30 am, departure to Fougamou. Along the way, a visit to a small Simba tribe village. Arrival in Fougamou around 11:00 am, hotel check-in. After lunch, a visit to the local market. Then, a trip to a place where the Simba, Ogandi and Songo tribes traditionally use the iboga plant. Return to the hotel for dinner. At 8:00 pm, attendance at a Bwiti ceremony, where local participants, having taken iboga, perform traditional dances and rituals. The ceremony can last more than 4 hours or continue until morning.
Accommodation: Hotel Ngounié
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4. July 28, 2026 (Tuesday). FOUGAMOU – BABONGO PYGMY VILLAGE OF IKOBÉ, WAKA NATIONAL PARK (80 km, approx. 2 hours travel time)
Breakfast. At 9:30 am, departure to the village of Ikobé, home to the Babongo pygmies, located within Waka National Park. Along the way, a visit to a mixed village of Babongo pygmies and the Punu people. Arrival in Ikobé around 12:30 pm, lunch. In the afternoon, observe the process of building traditional huts by Babongo women and learn about the daily life of the pygmies. The day ends with traditional dances.
Accommodation: Tents in the village, or hotel accommodation at Hotel Ngounié (for an additional fee)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5. July 29, 2026 (Wednesday). IKOBÉ – ACTIVITIES WITH THE PYGMIES
Breakfast at 7:30 am. From 8:30 am, join a hunt with the Babongo people in traditional dress, trekking deep into the forest, and observe traditional wild honey collection. Return to Ikobé for lunch. In the afternoon, learn about the use of medicinal plants in traditional Babongo medicine. Fishing, if the river level allows. After dinner, an optional iboga ceremony (additional fee) conducted by the Babongo and Punu peoples, involving the use of the iboga plant, dances, and rituals. The ceremony can last until around 3:00 am or later. Participation is discussed with local elders and may require an additional fee. Some participants may choose to return earlier to Hotel Ngounié. Taking iboga carries potential health risks and participation is entirely at each participant's own discretion.
Accommodation: Tents in the village, or hotel accommodation at Hotel Ngounié (for an additional fee)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6. July 30, 2026 (Thursday). IKOBÉ – FOUGAMOU – NDJOLÉ – LIBREVILLE (450 km, approx. 8 hours travel time)
Breakfast at 7:30 am. At 8:00 am, departure to Ndjolé. Along the way, a visit to the Songo village, where members of the Punu people also live. Arrival in Ndjolé, lunch. In the afternoon, visit the large Ndjolé market, where you can see representatives of various ethnic groups (Fang, Songo, Simba, Iga, and others). Drive to Libreville.
Accommodation: Hotel Hibiscus Louis or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7. July 31, 2026 (Friday). LIBREVILLE – PORT-GENTIL – LOANGO NATIONAL PARK
Early breakfast. Departure from the hotel. Morning flight from Libreville to Port-Gentil (8:00–8:35 am). Upon arrival, check-in at the remote Ndola Camp lodge, located in the forest with a view of the Igela Lagoon — a gateway to the unique savannah and forest landscapes of central Gabon. After lunch, a safari to observe elephants, buffaloes, and other mammals and birds. In the evening, a beach walk in search of sea turtles and, possibly, elephants bathing in the ocean. Dinner at Ndola Lodge.
Accommodation: Ndola Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8. August 1, 2026 (Saturday). LOANGO NATIONAL PARK Early breakfast. Savannah safari in Loango National Park to observe elephants, buffaloes, monkeys, and other wildlife. In the evening, a walking safari along the beach in search of sea turtles and, under favorable conditions, elephants on the shore.
Accommodation: Ndola Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 9. August 2, 2026 (Sunday). LOANGO – OLAKO – GORILLA TREKKING AT FERNAN VAZ LAGOON – FLIGHT TO LIBREVILLE
Breakfast. Drive to Olako Hotel (approx. 60 km, 1 hour). Gorilla trekking near Fernan Vaz Lagoon (additional fee). The whole group returns to Olako for lunch, then transfers to Port-Gentil airport for the evening flight to Libreville at 8:45 pm. Overnight at the hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Hibiscus Louis or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 10. August 3, 2026 (Monday). LIBREVILLE – MALABO (EQUATORIAL GUINEA)
Early breakfast. Transfer to the airport. Flight to Malabo at 8:45 am. Arrival in Equatorial Guinea at 12:00, drive to the Down Village area, visiting local villages, then check-in at the Bisila Palace hotel.
Accommodation: Bisila Palace Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 11. August 4, 2026 (Tuesday). MALABO – MOKA – ILACHI (ILADI) WATERFALL – MOKA (95 km, approx. 2 hours travel time)
Breakfast at the hotel. Around 9:00 am, start of the Bioko Island excursion. Drive to the eastern part of the island via the Riaba highway, then on to the town of Moka. Arrival in Moka, hotel check-in. Visit to the Ilachi (Iladi) Waterfall with a local guide. Moka is a small town in the mountains of the volcanic massif in the south of Bioko Island, offering forests, panoramic views, and a chance to learn about the culture of the Bubi people. The Ilachi Falls are impressive, with three streams cascading from a height of about 250 meters. During the trek (6 km, 3–4 hours), you will need to ford river sections, with water sometimes reaching knee level. Return to the hotel in Moka, dinner.
Accommodation: Moka Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 12. August 5, 2026 (Wednesday). MOKA – MALABO Breakfast. Walk around Malabo and the Sipopo district: visit the Botanical Garden, the market, the Old Town, the Cathedral, and the Chamber and Teodolita House. Dinner, return to the hotel.
Accommodation: Bisila Palace Malabo
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 13. August 6, 2026 (Thursday). MALABO – PICO BASILÉ – RETURN FLIGHT
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Pico Basilé volcano (3,018 m), located within Pico Basilé National Park. Hike up to Basilé Church, situated at an altitude of 2,800 meters. Transfer to the airport for the 2:20 pm flight for those returning to Moscow. For participants with a later flight (after 8:00 pm), lunch and a walk around Malabo.
Accommodation: Not included
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
* The order of visits and excursions can be modified according to local conditions, i.e. state of roads, security situation in tribes, flight schedule etc. If some visits and/or tours could not be done due to external conditions, they will be replaced when possible.
** The participant of expedition to Gabon and Equatorial Guinea must be motivated to be respectful to the culture of local tribes and cultures, be aware of the objectives of the trip and possible program changes depending on weather conditions, security conditions and any other reasons, be in a good shape and morally stable, as well as be able to adapt to the new environment and culture.
Cost includes:
- Domestic flights Libreville – Port Gentile – Libreville
- accommodation in hotels and lodges based on TWIN rooms (DBL for family couples)
- accommodation in tents in camping based on single (DBL for family couples upon request)
- camping equipment: tents, mattresses, furniture, cooking stuff, dishware, cutlery
- all airport transfers by Toyota Coaster bus or Toyota Hiace minibuses or similar, in good condition with experienced drivers with working AC with comfortable accommodation (maximum 10 pax in Toyota Coaster or maximum 7 pax in Toyota Hiace),
- transport for the entire itinerary: 4x4 jeep vehicles like Toyota Land Cruiser or similar in good condition with experienced drivers with working AC with comfortable accommodation (3 participants in each car maximum, that is 2 pax in the rear seat max),
- all boats along the route
- full board meals (3 times a day) along the route (except 1st and last days of itinerary)
- unlimited drinking mineral water along the route
- all permits, all activities, visits and entrance fees along the route
- all National park fees, except for Gorilla trekking in Loango
- governmental taxes
- financial support of local communities/tribes
- photo- and video shooting allowance
- experienced English speaking professional guide along the whole itinerary
- Russian-speaking and English-speaking team leader amateur ethnographer and photographer
Cost excludes (additionally paid):
- international flight to Libreville (Gabon) and return flight from Malabo (Equatorial Guinea),
- international flight from Libreville (Gabon) to Malabo (Equatorial Guinea),
- international medical insurance
- Gabon visa (to be obtained in advance in the Gabon embassy in your country, on your own, at some 150 EUR, cost may change. We provide for Invitation letter needed to support visa application. Can be also arranged by us upon arrival at some 180 EUR, cost may change),
- Equatorial Guinea visa (e-visa can be obtained at 75 USD at official website https://equatorialguinea-evisa.com/. Cost may change. We provide for Invitation letter needed to support visa application),
- Gorillas trekking in Loango National park (390 EUR. This official cost may change).
- tips
- optional activities in the program
- alcohol, soft drinks and personal expenses
- single accommodation in hotels
To take with:
- sets of clothes suitable for the weather conditions, including lightweight clothes (shorts, T-shorts), and one set of warm clothes (hoody or light jacket), long sleeve clothes
- sun hat/panama
- swimwear
- raincoat
- comfortable trekking footwear, light footwear (sneakers)
- sleeping bag for warm weather
- mosquito net for sleeping place (is a must!)
- personal hygiene items (towel, wet tissues, soap)
- individual medical kit (analgesics, antiseptic, antibiotic, antiviral, intestinal, multivitamins, rehydration, court plaster, your personal medications)
- anti malaria (malaria falciparum) prevention pills (up to you to decide but recommended)
- yellow fever certificate (is a must!)
- sunblock set (cream, spray)
- various repellents (is a must!)
- sunglasses
- big backpack for stuff (up to 90 l)
- small backpack for radial walks (25 – 30 l)
- head torch
- favorite meals (chocolate, nuts)
- photo and video camera, tripod
- power bank, batteries
Why with MZUNGU EXPEDITIONS?
- UNIQUENESS
We find the most astonishing places on Earth and speed up to reach them. Our motto is to go ahead of road roller, touch the unique and unknown, before it disappears. - ADVENTURISM
Wherever we go, we look for challenging activities and adventures, filling the journey with absolutely different spirit and emotions. That is why people join us over and over again. - SAFETY
In our trips we pay special attention to safety. All our travels are based on personal experience, equipped with the best gear, involving proved providers and experienced local guides who perfectly know local features. - EXPERIENCE
We have a unique experience of the most offbeat expeditions and ascents, deep knowledge of countries and peoples, and are ready to share it with you. All the expeditions and climbs are tested by Mzungu himself and guided by seasoned team-leaders, guaranteeing exciting traveling and your comfort. - REASONABLE PRICE
All our trips are reach in adventures, with high quality accommodation, transportation and meals included. We do not save on it. Thanks to solid contacts with reliable providers we offer really good prices and high quality.
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