Chimpanzee & Gorilla Expedition
Protecting Apes, Empowering Vets & Communities
Time to Honor Your Commitment to Wildlife & Conservation?
Wild Spirit Gabon 2025 Expedition is a 10-day journey to make a lasting impact. This veterinarian and donor-supported initiative sets the stage for the release of 30 captive chimpanzees, held for over two decades after their capture for medical research, onto a protected island within a national park. Participants will also explore wild gorilla conservation projects, observe these majestic animals in their natural habitat, and engage with community-led efforts to protect their future. This expedition is the first step in a five-year mission to drive meaningful conservation while rallying support to achieve a €1.5 million funding goal.
Apply now and make a real difference!
01 Overview
Date
28 February – 09 March 2025
Duration
10 days
Expedition Fee
€4850* +
+ €650 (1 domestic + 1 private flight)
*Includes conservation fees
Location
Gabon
Delegates profile
Vets & Donors
Enrollment Deadline
01 January 2025
Limited places available!
6
Registration: Open
Program Leads:
Dr. Fabiola Quesada. Dr Brendan Tindall & Antonio Anoro
—leaders in African wildlife veterinary and conservation.
Proudly supported by:
Dr. Chloe Buiting
02 Details
What You’ll Contribute To
Conservation & Animal Welfare Impact:
Contribute to the rescue and release of chimpanzees. Support the protection of wild gorilla population health and habitat.
Engage in Wildlife Veterinary Work
Visit the Lèkédi Rescue Centre to observe rehabilitation efforts and veterinary care for orphaned chimpanzees and gorillas.
Gabon: Untouched Wilderness
Immerse yourself in unspoiled Africa—a haven for forest elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees, and mandrills. An adventure that nourishes the soul.
Key Actions
Chimpanzee Rescue & Release
From Captivity to Freedom:
Care for orphaned chimpanzees and assess Makoto Island as the release site for 30 rescued chimps.
Community Engagement
Championing Conservation:
Visit the Papa Yitu Project, a community-led initiative integrating conservation, ecotourism, and local development.
Gorilla Conservation
Shaping the Future:
Participate in gorilla tracking. Understand the vital role of health monitoring and ecosystem strategies in safeguarding Gabon’s wild gorillas and preserving their natural habitats.
Drive Scientific Progress
Epowerind Donos, driving change:
Help lay the groundwork for a five-year initiative to ensure the survival of Africa’s great apes and achieve the €1.5 million funding goal.
5 Numbers That Define the Urgency
6 orphaned gorillas and chimpanzees rescued only in 2024—some didn’t survive due to a lack of funding for veterinary care and rescue operations.
5,000 wild gorillas in Gabon need continuous health monitoring and conservation efforts.
30 chimpanzees await rescue and release after decades in captivity.
200 forest community members rely on sustainable funding from ecotourism and ecosystem research to survive.
1 chance to act now and make a lasting impact.
These numbers represent a call to action. Join us to fund critical rescues, support local communities, and protect Africa’s great apes and their habitats. Be the difference—act today.
03 Delegate Profile
This expedition is open to a select group of 06 delegates with the following profile:
Veterinarians or Veterinary Students/Nurses
Vets who are passionate about wildlife conservation and eager to gain hands-on experience in the field while learning from seasoned professionals.
Wildlife Professionals & Passionate Donors
Experts & Donors with a true passion for wildlife preservation and eager to contribute their expertise toward the project’s success.
Chimpanzee Rescue & Gorilla Conservation
Taking action for
at-Risk Apes
Protecting a Gorilla Stronghold
Gabon is home to over 100,000 western lowland gorillas—essential to the survival of the species. Moukalaba-Doudou National Park (MDNP) alone shelters over 5,000 gorillas, making it one of the most vital habitats.
But this haven is under threat. Climate change, bushmeat poaching, habitat loss, and infectious diseases are pushing gorilla populations to the brink while increasing the risk of zoonotic outbreaks.
THE SOLUTION is bold and clear: health and ecological monitoring led by local experts, community-driven conservation efforts, and ecotourism. Together, these initiatives protect gorillas, empower communities, and build sustainable, ethical economic futures.
Yet across West and Central Africa, the illegal wildlife trade continues to orphan young gorillas and chimpanzees. Rescue and rehabilitation programs are their only chance for survival—and a second chance at life.
The future of Gabon’s Great Apes depends on action. Act now.
Animal Welfare: Freedom for 30 Chimpanzees
In Gabon, 30 chimpanzees urgently await a new beginning. After 20 years in a laboratory dedicated to research on human-related infectious diseases, plans are underway to relocate them to a protected wilderness island in their home country. From captivity to freedom, this initiative restores dignity and champions ethical animal welfare.
Make It Happen Now
Through the Wild Spirit Foundation, we are seeking donations to ensure this urgent project—rescuing 30 chimpanzees and protecting 5,000 wild gorillas at MDNP—takes place without delays. Your support will also help rescue countless orphans from the illegal wildlife trade.
04 Schedule
Day 1
Arrival from international flights. Transfer to accommodations in Libreville. Evening to rest and prepare for the expedition.
Day 2
Flight to Franceville & Visit to CIRMF
Morning: Take a commercial flight to Franceville, the gateway to Gabon’s conservation efforts.
Afternoon: Visit the Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF) (International Center for Medical Research of Franceville). Gain insight into the chimpanzees at the heart of our project—some of whom have spent over 20 years in captivity and are now being prepared for release. Learn about their rehabilitation journey and the vital research supporting their reintegration into the wild.
Day 3 & 4
Veterinary Work at Chimpanzee Rescue Centre (Lèkédi)
Hands-on veterinary work with rescued chimpanzees at the Lèkédi Rescue Centre
Veterinary support focuses on rehabilitation practices, health checks and preparations for potential future releases.
Visit to the historic bridge
Day 5
Moukalaba-Doudou National Park (MDNP), Arrival and Exploration:
Private flight to Tchibanga, followed by a road transfer to Moukalaba-Doudou National Park.
Visit the Doussala research station, operated by the Institute of Tropical Ecology Research (IRET) and supported by Wild Spirit Foundation. Discover its work in gorilla health and ecological monitoring.
Day 6 & 7
Gorilla Tracking & Community Impact
Track western lowland gorillas in their natural habitat, guided by local wildlife experts.
Visit the Papa Yitu Project, a community-driven initiative supported by Gabon Untouched, linking conservation with ecotourism, education, and healthcare.
Meet local leaders to understand how their work supports endangered species and promotes sustainable livelihoods.
Second day in the morning, Gorilla Tracking. Evening transfer back to Tchibanga.
Day 8
Travel to Loango National Park and Makoto Island
Journey by car and by boat to Loango National Park and Makoto Island, located at Ndougou Lagoon, the designated future release site for the chimpanzees.
Explore the park’s diverse ecosystems, including coastal wildlife and forested habitats home to great apes.
In the afternoon, further exploration of Loango National Park, with opportunities to observe elephants, great apes, and marine life.
Day 9
Loango Adventures
Continue exploring the remarkable Loango National Park and its diverse ecosystems. Begin the return journey via Lambaréné, with a stop at the historic Lambaréné Hospital, known for its contributions to medical care and research.
Day 10
A flight from Sette Cama to Libreville may be arranged at an additional cost, subject to logistics and confirmation closer to the expedition date.
In the afternoon, transfer to Libreville’s airport for international departures.
05 About Gabon & Accommodation
This scientific-conservation expedition explores Gabon’s national parks and unique wildlife, offering safe, modest accommodations surrounded by nature. Evenings include astronomy, storytelling, and reflections. Gabon is a rare gem where forest elephants meet the beach, turtles grace the ocean, and great apes roam free. This journey is both a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a direct contribution to preserving one of Africa’s last true Edens.
The Last Eden of Africa
The Wild Team
Benefits of
Joining
Hands-On Learning
Practical experience & knowledge of wildlife conservation
Expert Insights
Networking
Personal Growth / Lifetime Experience
Deepen your connection with nature in Africa, creating soul-touching memories and gaining a lifetime experience in the wild, all while making a meaningful impact.
Memories for life
Be part of a professional recording that showcases your contributions to wildlife conservation.
If you can’t join us in person, you can still make a significant impact. Donate through the Wild Spirit Foundation to help us release the chimpanzees and protect wild gorillas through essential ongoing monitoring efforts.
Your support ensures their survival and creates lasting change.
Be a Wild Spirit
Be part of something bigger—make a difference today.
We are wating for you, contact us.
Wild Spirit Pty Ltd,
89 Rooibank Farm, PO Box 2682 Hammanskraal, 0400, Gauteng Province | South Africa
9 Recoletos St, 1A, 28001 , Madrid I Spain