Muni Estuary Natural Reserve

The Muni estuary reserve covers the mangrove, channels and islands where the Muni river meets the Atlantic on the Gabonese border, one of the larger mangrove systems on this coast and a nursery for fish across the region. African manatees live in the channels along with crocodiles and a heavy bird population. The Elobey islands lie within it. Access is by boat from Cogo and needs arrangement. The reserve covers around eighty thousand hectares of water, mangrove and island, which makes it one of the largest protected areas in the country.

What you actually see

• The mangrove channels - the network the whole reserve is built around.
• The manatees - the African population living in the estuary.
• The bird life - herons, kingfishers and waders through the channels.
• The islands - the Elobeys and smaller cays within the reserve.

When to go

December to February is the drier season. Tide governs which channels are passable. Manatee sightings are rare in any season.

Honest expectations

Manatees are extremely hard to see and most visitors do not. Access needs permits, a boat and a guide arranged in Cogo. Mosquitoes in the mangrove are severe.

Nearby

Cogo is upstream, and the Elobey islands are within the reserve.