Ogooué-Lolo

Ogooue-Lolo is a province in central Gabon, named after the Lolo River, a tributary of the Ogooue. The capital is Koulamoutou. The province is covered in dense rainforest and is sparsely populated, with small towns along the main roads and rivers. The eastern part of the province touches the Ivindo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its pristine rainforest and spectacular Kongou Falls.

The dry season (June-September) is the best time for travel, when roads are passable and the waterfalls are at their most dramatic. The rainy season (October-May) makes many secondary roads impassable.

The N2 highway connects Koulamoutou to Lastoursville and Franceville. Most roads are unpaved. Domestic flights connect Koulamoutou to Libreville.

• Koulamoutou — The provincial capital, a market centre for the surrounding timber and farming communities.
• Lastoursville — A historic town on the Ogooue River with colonial-era architecture.
• Iboundji — A small town in the forested hills.
• Pana — A village near the border with Ogooue-Ivindo province.
• Ivindo National Park — A UNESCO World Heritage Site protecting pristine rainforest and the spectacular Kongou and Mingouli waterfalls.

The local diet is based on cassava, plantains, and smoked fish or game. Restaurants in Koulamoutou serve poulet nyembwe and grilled capitaine.

The province is home to Fang, Nzebi, and Obamba communities. Bwiti ceremonies are practised in some villages.

• Visit the Kongou and Mingouli waterfalls in Ivindo National Park.
• Explore the colonial-era buildings in Lastoursville.
• Take a pirogue trip on the Ogooue River.