Poubara Park
August 26, 2008
Since our train didn't leave unitl 8pm we decided to take a little day trip. So we went to Poubara. What a beautiful place, there is a power plant however, so that sort of ruins the ambiance. Check out my review if you want to know more about the park. The drive there is amazing, especially passing the sugar cane fields that supply all of Gabon's sugar. The road runs over a ridge and gives a beautiful panoramic view of of the fields. You also pass by Franceville Airport, which is strangely enough not really anywhere near Franceville. I really would not recommend traveling to Poubara without someone local as it will cost quite a bit of money, and it's extremely difficult to locate unless you know exactly where it is.
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the ogowe river at poubara
bad pic of sugar cane fields, an…
not a bad pic of the sugar cane …
sugar cane fields being burned, …
an eagle riding an updraft
jungle at poubara
a millipede beside my foot
mike, me and our guide at poubara
more jungle at poubara
just a totally sweet looking cloud
looking down at the Ogowe river …
the primary source of lumber in …
Beautiful, but rarely visited
Pubara Park is located approximately 2 hours drive from Franceville, Gabon. As far as I know there is no public transportation to the park. I got there by getting a ride with someone I know locally. To be honest it might be the only way to get there short of getting your own vehicle. There are no signs on the way there, so good luck if you decide to go it alone. The park is rather small, and is easily recognizable by the fact that the road ends at the power generation plant which runs off of the river. To cross into the park you cross a handmade vine bridge, which if you're an Indiana Jones fan, is completely awesome! However you need to pay roughly $10 a person to get in, and an additional $20 per camera you take along. I had a local friend with me and he got me in for $5, but don't expect the same. After crossing the bridge, a guide will take you into the jungle and bring you out at a stunning waterfall. It's definitely worth the trip if you're in the area, very few people make it out that far. When I signed the guest book my guide let me see the tourism numbers, only 1000 people a year visit the park and 70% of those are Gabonaise or french expats. But if your in Franceville it's worth the drive.
Temple of Doom!!!!
I know, stunning right? The rive…
In the jungle, the mighty jungle.
Fantastic waterfall!
Better view of Fantastic Waterfall!
Me preparing to cross the bridge…
Looking upriver from the bridge,…
The bridge of death from the side.
A different and far more siniste…
