Gabon’s commitment to preserving its natural environment is evident in the Crystal Mountains National Park, located just 62 kilometers from the capital, Libreville. This park, part of Gabon’s extensive network of 13 national parks, is a haven for biodiversity, nestled in the northwest amidst the country’s iconic crystal mountain ranges.
Established on September 4, 2002, the Crystal Mountains National Park, also known as Parc National des Monts de Cristal, is a significant conservation area. It comprises two sections: Mbe National Park and Mt Sene National Park, both recognized for their exceptional plant diversity and as part of a historical Pleistocene rainforest refuge.
The park’s 1,200 square kilometers of high-altitude forests are a sanctuary for a wide array of species. Visitors can encounter elephants, monkeys, and a stunning variety of butterflies, including rare species like Euphaedra brevis, Cymothoe, and Graphium angrier. The park’s name is derived from the sparkling quartz crystals found in the region, adding to its allure for hikers and nature lovers.
Botanical richness is a hallmark of the Crystal Mountains National Park, believed to host the most diverse flora on the African continent. The misty and cloudy conditions create an ideal habitat for orchids, begonias, and the recently discovered tree, Sirdavidia solannona. The park’s two sections span over an altitude of 900 meters, with permits available from the ANPN office in Kinguélé.
For those seeking to explore the park, the southern section, Mbe, is conveniently accessible for day trips from Libreville. The northern section, Mont Seni, offers a more secluded experience, reachable only by boat from Cocobeach.
The park’s biodiversity extends beyond its flora, with 22 amphibian species identified in the Tchimbélé and Kinguélé areas, including rare finds like Arthroleptis cf. poecilonotus and A. variabilis. The park also provides a habitat for black colobus monkeys, forest buffaloes, mandrills, chimpanzees, forest elephants, leopards, and western lowland gorillas, among others.
Surrounding the park are ten villages with a combined population of 1,100, showcasing a low human density that contributes to the preservation of the park’s dense forests and high-altitude ecosystems. The Crystal Mountains National Park’s classification in 2002 reflects its global conservation significance and its designation as a priority landscape for biodiversity monitoring.
Visitors to the park are encouraged to bring essentials such as water, swimming attire, towels, insect repellent, a flashlight, sunscreen, hiking boots, sunglasses, a hat, and backup sheets for overnight stays.