World Heritage Identification Number: 1653
World Heritage since: 2021
Category: Natural Heritage
WHE Type: Protected Areas & National Parks
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇬🇦 Gabon
Continent: Africa
UNESCO World Region: Africa
Map
Ivindo National Park: A Biodiverse Gem in Central Africa
Ivindo National Park, located in east-central Gabon, is a testament to the rich biodiversity and natural beauty found within Central Africa. Established in 2002, this expansive protected area covers nearly 300,000 hectares, making it one of the largest national parks in Gabon. The park straddles the border between the Ogooué-Ivindo and Ogooué-Lolo provinces, offering a diverse range of landscapes and habitats that support an impressive array of plant and animal life.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
Situated on the equator in northern Gabon the largely pristine site encompasses an area of almost 300,000 ha crossed by a network of picturesque blackwater rivers. It features rapids and waterfalls bordered by intact rainforest, which make for a landscape of great aesthetic value. The site’s aquatic habitats harbour endemic freshwater fish species, 13 of which are threatened, and at least seven species of Podostemaceae riverweeds, with probable micro-endemic aquatic flora at each waterfall. Many fish species in the property are yet to be described and parts of the site have hardly been investigated. Critically Endangered Slender-snouted Crocodiles (Mecistops cataphractus) find shelter in Ivindo National Park which also boasts biogeographically unique Caesalpinioideae old-growth forests of high conservation value, supporting, for instance, a very high diversity of butterflies alongside threatened flagship mammals and avian fauna such as the Critically Endangered Forest Elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis), Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla), the Endangered Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) and Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus) as well as the Vulnerable Grey-necked Rockfowl (Picathartes oreas), Mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx), Leopard (Panthera pardus), and African Golden Cat (Caracal aurata), and three species of Pangolin (Manidae spp.).
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (ix): Ivindo National Park combines large areas of intact climatical Caesalpinioideae forests and undisturbed river ecosystems. The property has exceptional value due to its great diversity of forest formations, the presence of large areas of very old Caesalpinioideae forests, and monodominant Julbernardia pellegriniana or Eurypetalum batesii forests, all of which are unique in Lower Guinea and throughout all of central Africa. Covering nearly 300,000 ha of this forest ecosystem and surrounded by a buffer zone of over 182,000 ha, the property can be considered exceptional, providing enough space for evolutionary processes to continue undisturbed. The very old Caesalpinioideae forests represent a characteristic stage of forest evolution in Central Africa but have disappeared elsewhere in Lower Guinea. They do not occur elsewhere in the Guinean-Congolese region because the high diversity of Caesalpinioideae is unique to Lower Guinea. This forest ecosystem is also representative of the Lower Guinean or Atlantic forests of the Gabonese interior highlands, and more particularly of the Ivindo Landscape Area which very likely forms a separate and very rich phytogeographical entity within Lower Guinea. The great diversity of the Caesalpinioideae forests of the inner plateau is also reflected in the fact that, at the site level, the forests of the western edge differ, by a proportion of 60%, from those of the eastern edge. The presence of the Langoué Baï and grassy meadows identical to those of the inselbergs, contribute very largely to the uniqueness of the region. This intact forest ecosystem helps preserve the integrity of the black waters of the Ivindo which are home to a swarm of some fifteen species of fish of the genus Paramormyrops (Mormyridae) – the only swarm of species found in rivers worldwide belonging to this family. It is one of the world's best examples of speciation in open waters in which the speciation process takes place at a very high rate.
Criterion (x): The rivers of the property are home to ichthyofauna of global importance and characterized by exceptional endemism, an extremely diversified flora and habitats of critical importance for the conservation of mammals, birds and amphibians. The intact forest ecosystem of Ivindo National Park and the Ivindo Landscape Area, with its diversity of habitats and, especially, its very old Caesalpinioideae forests, unique in west-central Africa and the entire Guinean-Congolese domain, is home to 161 plant species of high conservation value, 129 species endemic to Gabon and 35 species endemic to Ivindo. Ivindo National Park alone is home to 81 plant and 39 animal threatened species, including the Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla), the Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), the Forest Elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis), the Gray Parrot (Psittacus erithacus), and the Slender-snouted Crocodile (Mecistops cataphractus). In terms of zoology, this ecosystem has 126 species of mammals, including seven species of primates endemic to Lower Guinea. In addition, the Forest Elephant population is relatively large and includes many males with very large tusks, which is becoming very rare in much of Central Africa. Ivindo National Park avifauna includes 190 (68%) of the 278 forest species native to the Guinean-Congolese region and five of the six species endemic to Lower Guinea. The entomofauna includes 528 species of diurnal butterflies (probably 800-1000) many of which appear to be restricted to very old-growth Caesalpinioideae forests. Regarding the Kongou Falls, they are home to seven species of Podostemaceae, very specialized, rare and very vulnerable plants that are everywhere threatened by the construction of dams and the regulation of rivers. These seven species represent both 44% of the Podostemaceae flora of Gabon and the four known genera of the country. Ivindo is also home to 45 species of fish endemic to Lower Guinea, 13 of which are endemic to Gabon. The Ivindo River is home to 16 fish exclusively native to it, and to a particular wealth of Cyprinodontiformes and Mormyridae, with very specialized and fragile species of the genus Ivindomyrus, named after the Ivindo River. A dozen species of slightly electric fish of the genus Paramormyrops (Mormyridae) form swarms of freshwater fish that are globally rare.
Encyclopedia Record: Ivindo National Park
Ivindo National Park is a national park in east-central Gabon in Central Africa, straddling the border of the Ogooué-Ivindo and Ogooué-Lolo provinces. Its creation was announced in August 2002 by then-President Omar Bongo at the Earth Summit in Johannesburg, along with Gabon's 12 other terrestrial national parks. Most famous for the spectacular Kongou and Mingouli waterfalls of the Ivindo River, known as the “wonders of Ivindo”, the park also includes the Ipassa Makokou Biosphere Reserve and Langoué Baï, one of the 5 most important forest clearings in Central Africa. The park was designated as a UNESCO UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021 for its outstanding biodiversity and relatively intact tropical forest ecosystem.Additional Site Details
Area: 298,758 hectares
Number of Components: 1
(x) — Contains most important habitats for biodiversity
Coordinates: 0.113 , 12.648
IUCN World Heritage Outlook
The 2025 Conservation Outlook on Ivindo National Park reports the following assessment:
Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) · View assessment
World Heritage Research
Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Ivindo National Park from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.
-
Rutidea wieringae O. Lachenaud 2026, sp. nov.
A new species of liana, Rutidea wieringae, has been discovered in Gabon's Ivindo National Park and surrounding regions. This species is distinguished by its fulvous indumentum on inflorescences, sparsely hairy corolla, and numerous secondary leaf veins, setting it apart from related species like R. lujae and R. ferruginea. The discovery was made through detailed morphological analysis of herbarium specimens, confirming its unique characteristics and intermediate traits between previously described species. Rutidea wieringae is endemic to Gabon, found in evergreen forests at elevations of 100–500 meters. Preliminary IUCN assessment suggests it may be Endangered (EN B2 ab) due to habitat threats like urban expansion and shifting agriculture, with one occurrence protected within Ivindo National Park.
Jongkind, C. C. H., & Lachenaud, O. (2026). Rutidea wieringae O. Lachenaud 2026, sp. nov. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.19467973
View Publication Record | Read Publication -
Rutidea viridiflora Jongkind 2026, sp. nov.
A new species of liana, Rutidea viridiflora Jongkind 2026, has been discovered in Gabon's Ivindo National Park and surrounding regions. This species is distinguished by its greenish corolla with a shorter tube (8–11 mm) compared to the white corolla and longer tube (12–18 mm) of its closest relative, R. hispida Hiern. The discovery was made through morphological analysis of 11 specimens collected between 1907 and 2023, revealing unique traits such as fewer flowers in the inflorescence (<30 vs often >60) and a slender, up to 3 m high growth habit. Rutidea viridiflora inhabits understorey closed evergreen forests, secondary forests, and forest edges from 70 to 730 m elevation. Preliminary IUCN assessment suggests it is Vulnerable (VU B2 ab(ii, iii)), with a small area of occupancy (44 km²) but found in two protected areas, Ivindo National Park and Lopé National Park. The species may also thrive in disturbed zones, though large-scale disturbances like oil palm plantations pose risks.
Jongkind, C. C. H., & Lachenaud, O. (2026). Rutidea viridiflora Jongkind 2026, sp. nov. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.19467968
View Publication Record | Read Publication -
Spatulosia ivindo Volynkin, 2025, sp. n.
A new species of moth, Spatulosia ivindo, has been discovered within the Ivindo National Park in Gabon. This species is distinguished by unique asymmetrical valvae and an S-shaped phallus, differing significantly from its closest relative, S. elegans. The discovery was made through morphological examination of the holotype specimen, which revealed distinct genitalia structures not found in other known Spatulosia species. Molecular analysis using COI-5P sequences confirmed a 3.17% genetic divergence between S. ivindo and S. elegans, supporting its classification as a new species. The finding highlights the biodiversity of Ivendo National Park and underscores the importance of detailed morphological studies in taxonomic research.
Volynkin, A. V. (2025). Spatulosia ivindo Volynkin, 2025, sp. n. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.20166374
View Publication Record | Read Publication -
Linking crop availability, forest elephant visitation and perceptions of human–elephant interactions in villages bordering Ivindo National Park, Gabon
A study reveals that forest elephant visits to rural villages near Gabon's Ivindo National Park are strongly linked to local crop availability, though this pattern varies among individuals. Using GPS tracking data from two elephants and surveys of 101 farmers across seven villages, researchers found a positive correlation between crop planting/harvesting cycles and elephant visitation, driven primarily by one individual. Local perceptions of elephant behavior aligned with empirical data, with crops (53%) and logging (39%) cited as key attractants. Farmers proposed solutions like government intervention (32%), lethal removal (30%), or compensation (22%). The findings highlight the complexity of predicting human-elephant interactions and underscore the need for targeted research in high-conflict zones, while also exploring the feasibility of proposed mitigation strategies.
Mbamy, W., Beirne, C., Froese, G. Z. L., Obiang Ebanega, M., & Poulsen, J. R. (2023). Linking crop availability, forest elephant visitation and perceptions of human–elephant interactions in villages bordering Ivindo National Park, Gabon. Oryx, 58(2), 261–268. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0030605323000704
View Publication Record | Read Publication -
Tenebrionidae (Coleoptera) from Ivindo National Park in Gabon, Central Africa, with descriptions of four new species
A recent study of Tenebrionidae beetles from Ivindo National Park, Gabon, identifies four new species: Enicmosoma ivindoense, Platydema telnovi, Diaclina gabonica, and Uloma gabonica. The research, which analyzed 72 species across three subfamilies (excluding Alleculinae and Lagriini), highlights the biodiversity of this UNESCO-listed park. Challenges in definitive identification persist due to the lack of comprehensive taxonomic revisions for some genera. This discovery underscores the importance of Ivindo National Park as a hotspot for beetle diversity, contributing valuable data for conservation efforts.
Schawaller, W., & Bellersheim, A. (2022). Tenebrionidae (Coleoptera) from Ivindo National Park in Gabon, Central Africa, with descriptions of four new species. Integrative Systematics: Stuttgart Contributions to Natural History, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.18476/2022.740108
View Publication Record | Read Publication -
Species Composition and Diurnal Activity Rhythm of Tabanids (Diptera: Tabanidae) at the Ivindo National Park and Its Environs
A study conducted at Ivindo National Park (INP) and surrounding areas revealed significant differences in tabanid species composition and diurnal activity between secondary forest and anthropized environments. Tabanids, particularly those of the genus Tabanus, were more abundant in the forest (7.12 per trap/day) compared to village-town sites (0.77 per trap/day), with a peak activity period between 12-14H in INP and 14-16H in anthropized areas, dominated by females. Eleven species of Tabanus were recorded at INP, with T. taeniola being the most prevalent (57.76%), alongside two species of Chrysops and one of Haematopota, which were exclusively found in the park. In contrast, village-town sites hosted five Tabanus species, with T. ricardae dominating (73.91%). The study highlights the ecological differences in tabanid populations between protected and human-altered landscapes.
Joseph-Marie, A. O., Lendzele, S. S., Roland, Z. K. C., Franck, M., Aubin, K. A., Mintsa, R., Lydie, A.-Y. G., Bertrand, M., & Mavoungou, J. F. (2019). Species Composition and Diurnal Activity Rhythm of Tabanids (Diptera: Tabanidae) at the Ivindo National Park and Its Environs. Asian Journal of Research in Zoology, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajriz/2019/v2i230062
View Publication Record | Read Publication -
Notes on Some Afrotropical Crambinae (Lepidoptera Pyraloidea),chiefly Collected in the Ivindo National Park in Gabon,with Descriptions of New Species
Research conducted over multiple years, including a field expedition in Gabon's Ivindo National Park, has led to the identification and description of three new species within the Crambinae subfamily (Lepidoptera Pyraloidea). These include Chrysocatharylla larseni, Calamotropha hausmanni, and Calamotropha paradiakonoffi. Additionally, the study established a new synonymy for Pseudocatharylla ruwenzorella and documented seven species as new to Gabon. The research integrated undetermined specimens with expedition data, contributing significantly to the taxonomic understanding of this region's biodiversity.
BASSI, G. (2019). NOTES ON SOME AFROTROPICAL CRAMBINAE (LEPIDOPTERA PYRALOIDEA),CHIEFLY COLLECTED IN THE IVINDO NATIONAL PARK IN GABON,WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES. Redia, 102, 41–48. https://doi.org/10.19263/redia-102.19.06
View Publication Record | Read Publication
