With a vast sprawl of virgin rainforests and teeming wildlife, Gabon is The Ghost Who Walks territory. Its major cities, however, are a sophisticated bustle of glitz, lights, and casinos. Gabon offers a little of everything to just about everyone.

Gabon is an average as far as equatorial climates go hot, humid and cloudy. Throughout the year temperatures hover around the 30 mark and rarely drop below 20 June to August provides slightly cooler days and some respite from the rain.

Libreville with its big ocean view hotels, office buildings, wide highways, fancy shops and cavalcade of taxis, Libreville looks more like a Miami Beach than a major African city. Libreville is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Theres no lack of nightlife, either. The African quarters are full of fairly cheap places to eat and drink. Theyre easy to get to, not half as dangerous or rough as some other African capitals and the hard partying locals are always up for a beer.

The Musee des Arts ET Traditions is one of the best in Central Africa and definitely worth a visit as long as you can find it. The Fang, Teke and Mitsogho masks are some of the best examples around, complemented by the wonderful collection of carved harps, baskets and an authentic Mitsogho temple.

L Eglise St Michel is a landmark church because of its 31 unusual wooden columns, carved by a blind Gabonese craftsman, each with a biblical scene.

The Palais Presidential overlooks the heart of town and is as much Bongos paean to Western culture as it is to Gabon might. Unfortunately photographs are forbidden, and visitors arent allowed inside.

The oil town of Port Gentil is built on an island at the mouth of the Ogooue River. The northern part of the island, Cap Lopez, is full of expatriates, top end hotels and the only decent beach. Port Gentil has more restaurants, stores and clubs per capita than any other African city.

Mayumba would be Gabons premier beach resort if it werent so hard to get to.

The Reserve de la Lope is Gabons most accessible wildlife reserve, where you stand a good chance of seeing forest elephants, buffalos and a variety of primates. Recently the reserve has initiated gorilla walks in an attempt to habituate the gorilla population to the presence of small groups of humans.