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Description
Arboretum Raponda Walker and Mahondah Forest Reserve are close to Libreville and a good introduction to African lowland tropical forest birding. And just how hard it can be! While you probably won't see many birds (and after 9am, the forest get's very quiet too), you should enjoy the other things that this arboretum has to offer - magnificent trees, lots of butterflies, frogs, etc. Most birds will be in the canopy, which makes indentification quite difficult. Expect many greenbuls and the like, plus a smattering of hornbills, etc. From the arboretum, there is some decent roadside birding up north to the coast.
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Access
Arboretum Raponda Walker and Mahondah Forest Reserve is close to Libreville (30 minutes). Get a taxi to drop you off, and arrange for it to pick you up several hours later (or something like that). If stuck, ask one of the staff to help you out - they seem to be very helpful. The arboretum opens (no gates) at 7:30am and has a small entrance fee of 1000 CAF. Because it is close to the city the arboretum and reserve are very well used on weekends by (noisy) hikers. Cell service is very spotty out there.