Iguéla is a good place for a spot of fishing and is home to a fine wildlife reserve where forest elephants, buffalos, warthogs, crocodiles, monkeys, lowland gorillas and many species of birds hang out. The best time to go is between April and October when the weather is drier and travelling around the reserve is easier. The reserve is 300km (185mi) south of Libreville. There are flights between Libreville and Omboué, a few kilometres north of Iguéla. During dry spells you can sometimes get to Omboué and Iguéla from the Lambaréné-Louila road.

Makokou and the surrounding area is one of the prettiest spots in Gabon, with rainforests and beautiful mountains. The city centre is compact but the town is surprisingly sprawling. Many Pygmies still live in this part of the country, though their camps are scattered throughout the forests and are difficult to get to. For a small adventure, you could hire a pirogue and head for Les Chutes de Loa-Loa, 10km (6mi) away on the Ivindo River.Gabon's forests in this area still harbour great numbers of forest elephants and a myriad of other species, but this area is still unprotected and accessible only by canoe. For a truly major adventure, consider hiring a pirogue and guides to take you northward up the Nouna River. The river is literally filled with forest elephants. Bold, chattering monkeys race through the treetops, and in the evening you're likely to be entertained by throngs of parrots. You may even see bands of lowland gorillas.Makokou is 610km (380mi) east of Libreville. The easiest and fastest way to get there is to fly. There are also minibuses every day between Makokou and Booué, which is reachable on the Transgabonais.

Oyem is in cocoa country and Fang territory. It's the largest city in the north, with many amenities and places to eat and drink. You'll find lots of Muslim Hausa traders in the city's two markets and no less than three mosques scattered over town catering to them. For some real exercise you could try climbing Mont Nkoum, 32km (20mi) away; you'll recognise it by the giant metal cross planted on top of it. Oyem is about 300km (185mi) north-east of Libreville and accessible by plane from the capital or minibus from Bitam (to the north) or Mitzic (to the south). It takes most of the day to get there from the capital.