Chimpanzee Rescue & Gorilla Conservation
Gabon: Untouched Wilderness
A Haven for Forest Elephants, Gorillas, Chimpanzees, and Mandrills—Adventure for the Soul.
Championing Conservation, Shaping the Future
A Crucial Step in an Ongoing Mission to Safeguard Gorilla Habitats and Health.
From Captivity to Freedom
Transforming ethical commitments into action. Setting the stage for the release of 30 captive chimpanzees into the wild.
Empowering Donors, Driving Change
Join us in reaching the €1.5 million goal for lasting impact.
General information
About Wildlife Health & Conservation Expedition
The Wild Spirit Gabon 2025 is a 10-day Expedition supported by veterinarians and donors, focused on conducting the initial site assessment for the planned release of 30 captive chimpanzees in Gabon. These chimpanzees, some of whom have been held for over 20 years following their capture for human medical research, are now slated for release on a secure, protected island within a national park. This marks a significant step toward honoring the ethical commitment to provide them with a natural habitat.
Participants will also have the unique opportunity to visit our wild gorilla conservation and health projects, observe wild gorilla populations in their natural environment, and actively engage with a community-based conservation initiative aimed at safeguarding their habitats. This expedition serves as a crucial first step in a comprehensive five-year conservation effort, while fostering meaningful donor involvement to achieve the project’s €1.5 million funding goal.
Objectives
- Initial Field Inspection for Chimpanzee Release:
This trip will include a preliminary inspection of the release site, where team members will assess the location and necessary preparations to ensure the feasibility of the project. This groundwork will allow us to move forward with the actual release as soon as all requirements and funding are met.
2. Engage in Wildlife Veterinary Work:
Participants will visit the Lèkédi Rescue Centre, which cares for orphaned chimpanzees and gorillas in Gabon. They will observe the rehabilitation and veterinary work involved in preparing these animals, which could also include future release candidates.
3. Explore Moukalaba-Doudou National Park (MDNP):
Participants will visit Doussala, home to one of the field stations of the Institute of Tropical Ecology Research (IRET) and key gorilla conservation projects supported by the Wild Spirit Foundation. Central to these efforts is the Papa Yitu Project, empowered by Gabon Untouched NPO, a community-led initiative that, alongside the research station, integrates gorilla conservation, ecotourism, and local development in education and healthcare. Local leaders serve as wildlife guardians, actively preserving Gabon’s natural heritage while engaging with visitors and researchers.
4. Makoto Island – Future Chimpanzee Release Site:
Discover Makoto Island, the planned release site for captive chimpanzees, between Loango and MDNP. Explore its rich biodiversity, with opportunities to encounter elephants on the beach and great apes in the forest. Participants will stay at Sette Cama Lodge, offering comfort and access to this stunning ecosystem.
Meet Gabon
- Gabon is a rich country in its forest and biodiversity, and its treasure is its good people and its traditional culture. All of it is endangered and worth being respected and protected.
- Understand the positive value of local indigenous people coexisting with nature and the threats of the new era.
The only place on the planet
Gabon might be the only place where one can see forest elephants on the beach and turtles in the ocean after tracking great apes.
This expedition is a lifetime experience and a direct contribution to preserving one of the last real Edens of Africa.
Dates
28 February – 09 March 2025
Itinerary
10 days, 9 nights, unlimited adventure
Gabon Expedition
From
Your country
to
Libreville
Travel in Gabon:
Gabon is a vast country with significant distances between destinations. National parks and key sites are hundreds of kilometers apart, and with roads under construction, several hours of road travel and internal flights are necessary.
day 1
Meeting at Libreville Airport
- Meeting at Libreville Airport.
- Transfer to a close-by hotel in the capital.
- Introduction talk.
- Wild Spirit welcoming merchandising pack.
day 2 - 3
Days of Transit
- One and a half-day road trip to the first National Park we will be visiting.
- One the way we will stop at points of interest.
day 4-5
Tracking Gorillas
- Hiking looking for gorillas in the forest
- Guided by the local guides and scientist
- Be prepared! It’s an unforgetable experience but required to be fit!
day 4-5 Afternoon
Its the time for lectures at our research station
- Lectures by Dr Fabiola Quesada and the local scientist
day 5
An evening of magic. Meet the local traditions
- The local community will share with us their traditional dance.
day 6
Departing from the jungle into mangroves & the coast
- A stunning and adventuring journey
- 4 x4 Road trip
- Riverboat transit
- 4×4 sand trip
day 7
Tracking Forest Elephants
- Boat trip through mangroves
- 4-hour tracking through the forest.
- Meet all the secrets of those trees shared by the local guide.
- Endless white beach with turtles and elephants.
- Return trip by riverboat.
Day 8
Marine Turtles
- Visit the marine turtle conservation project
Hopefully, we might see some turtles laying eggs!
Day 9
Road trip
- Our way back to Libreville
- Evening farewell
day 10
Journey back
- Be prepared! Aircon might not be available in the vehicle and the road is under construction. Comfort might not be part of this transit.
- Drop off at the Airport
Book your place
Application Process:: Limited to 6 delegates. Selection is based on background and a motivation letter.
LEADING Wildlife VETERINARIAN
Dr. Fabiola Quesada
Wild Spirit Fund Founder & Wild Spirit CEO
Veterinarian & Scientist
Dr Quesada will lead this expedition and lecture along with local scientific experts.
Fabiola is the CEO of Wild Spirit and the Founder of Wild Spirit Fund. She is a unique veterinarian with one target in life: Wildlife Health & Conservation in their natural environment.
Dr Quesada has led Wildlife Veterinarian Courses in South Africa for over a decade. And now, our delegates have the privilege to join her on this scientific-conservation expedition in Gabon. Here, it is taking place Wild Spirit Fund conservation projects and her PhD.
ACCOMMODATION
ATTENDEE PROFILE
Vets & Natural Scientists
Recommended age: 23-50 years old.
Nature lovers
Leaders
Adventurous people
Conservationist at heart
REQUIREMENT AND ESSENTIALS
- Medium-fluent English level 60%
- Be a vet, natural science professional or student 100%
- CV selection 40%
- Be healthy and Fit 95%
- Adventurous 80%
The forest can be magical but as well dangerous. We must be aware of that reality.
- Aims to learn & Easy going 100%
Course Fee
4150€
+ 150€ conservation fee towards Wild Spirit Fund
FEE INCLUDES
10 day Wildlife Health & Conservation Expedition
10 days/ 9 nights Accommodation & Meals
Lectures by experts
- Scientific formal presentations
- Expert’s knowledge shared during talks and daily conversations.
Transport
- Transport by bus, 4×4 and riverboat
- In this program, our driving distance exceeds 1000Km.
Gorillas, Elephant and Turtles
- National Parks entrance and conservation fees
- Tracking days
Wild Spirit welcome pack
- Wild Spirit Corporative t-shirt, cap and notebook.
Certificates
- Wild Spirit certificate
Wild Spirt Fund Donation Fee
- €150 Donation fee toward our gorilla project.
- Visit our web to know more about our critical project protecting the health and conservation of west low land gorillas in Gabon.
- wildspiritfund.org
FEE DOESN’T INCLUDE
Flight
- International flight Country of origin- Johannesburg
- Domestic flight: Occasionally based on the availability of a local flight to return to Libreville.
Insurance
- Travel insurance
- Medical Insurance
VISA Fee
- Costs associated with VISA are not included.
- Most countries require a VISA to enter Gabon; however, its costs vary.
You can make the difference
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.
Wild Spirit is an entity that contributes to wildlife conservation and animal welfare through active participation and training of international professionals in Africa. Thanks to the quality of our programs and our strong commitment to wildlife conservation, many institutions and universities around the world support our cause and help us achieve our mission
Contact us
info@thewildspirit.com
+27 647569127
Hammanskraal, 0400, Gauteng Province | South Africa