Lopé National Park, Gabon

Situated in the center of Gabon, the Lopé National Park is a curious enclave of forest-savanna interface in the middle of the Congo Basin tropical rain forest. The presence of savanna is a combined result of global climate change during the last glaciation (about 18,000 to 12,000 BP), present-day geology and microclimate, and human-induced fire. Archeological research in the region showed that evidence of human habitation dates back more than 350,000 years ago, making it the oldest in the Elephant in Lopé forested region of Central Africa.

First established as a wildlife reserve in 1946, Lopé was upgraded to national park status in 2002. As approximately 45% of Gabon is currently under timber concession, Lopé National Park is an important site for ecological research, wildlife conservation, and ecotourism.