Libreville

25 APRIL 2023

A short taxi and minibus drive from Libreville, gets you to an area of forest known as the Arboretum Raponda Walker. It's a protected 28 hectares of natural forest full of species of trees, lianas, medicinal plants and orchids.

The area is considered sacred from the Myene people and many myths and legends are passed amongst families relating to the forest.

I was here alone today. What an amazing experience; to be able to walk deep into this forest and not see or hear a soul. The tracks are well marked and give you a choice of how far and and how deep you want to go. For three hours, I was able to experience the incredible humidity of the forest and view its full splendour.

I got a lift with a minibus to the tip of this part of the peninsular to visit Cap Esterias. The whole area had an out of season feeling; bars were closed and all eateries were shut. It was possible to get drinks and the popular palm wine sold in plastic bottles.