African Megatransect/Congo to Gabon

MegaTransect was the name for a project conducted in Africa in 1999 by J. Michael Fay to spend 455 days on the expedition hike of 2000 km across the Congo Basin of Africa to survey the ecological and environmental status of the region. 'MegaTransect' is named for the transect methodology.

Unexplored vistas of pristine environments still untouched by the hand or foot of man exist today only in the Megatransect. The Megatransect is a length of unbroken rainforest that covers a distance of 1,200 miles between the southwestern part of coastal Gabon to the northeastern corner of the Republic of Congo.

Shortly after the hike, Fay lobbied alongside the President of Gabon to create 13 new national parks, a project that was successful.





Megatransec across Africa
www7.nationalgeographic.com...

Field Notes
www.nationalgeographic.com...

www.nationalgeographic.com...

www7.nationalgeographic.com...

Megatransect daily log
www.nationalgeographic.com...

Megatransect Interactive Map
www.nationalgeographic.com...



Gallery
michaelnicknichols.com...


Assorted Links
www.ngsednet.org...

www.nationalgeographic.com...

magma.nationalgeographic.com...

www.bradshawfoundation.com...

www.npr.org...

www.esri.com...



[edit on 5-6-2007 by junglelord]

here is a link to BTS to a piece of literature I am writing based on this journey...its a Tarzan Tale of fiction that uses as much real life detail as possible, a story for my granddaughter.
cheers

www.belowtopsecret.com...



[edit on 5-6-2007 by junglelord]

some pics of the Megatransect

The middle of the journey, The Green Abyss


here are the surfing hippos at the end of the line at Loango Park Gabon

Gabon, a small country in West Africa, is one of the least developed places on the continent. It is one of the most amazing places. It is still 80 percent rainforest and untouched by the hand of man. It has the most wonderful flora and fauna. The country's lush coastal lagoons, mountain ranges, and high plateaus straddle the equator, supporting one of the largest and most stable populations of forest elephants. Gabon is home to unexplored wilderness. The 500 mile long sandy coastline of Gabon offers pristine beaches in a series of palm fringed bays, lagoons and estuaries and a vast network of rivers that nourishes exceptional biodiversity. The lush topical vegetation which covers 82 percent of the interior gives way in parts to the savannah. There are many rivers and tributaries which remain the main communication routes between modern settlements.

Unexplored vistas of pristine environments still untouched by the hand or foot of man exist today only in the Megatransect. The Megatransect is a length of unbroken rainforest that covers a distance of 1,200 miles between the southwestern part of coastal Gabon to the northeastern corner of the Republic of Congo.

The interior of Gabon in places like Ivindo and Lope rainforests are exceptional. Ivindo National Park is a recently created and little visited Park and is one of the most exciting regions in Gabon. Ivindo National Park is home to Kongou and Mingouli falls, the biggest and most spectacular falls of forested Africa.

Langoue Bai at Ivindo.
The bai was carved out by elephants digging in the mud for mineral salts and have become social areas for all the animals of the jungle forest.

Bai is a pygmy word which means forest clearing. The saline water clearings in the dense forest such as Lango Bai have the largest concentration of gorillas and elephants that are still naive to man. Research programs studying gorillas and forest elephants have been established at Lango Bai. The largest primate troops in the world can be found yearly at the Bai. Female troops of Mandrill baboon can reach up to a 1000 members.

Lope National Park stretches for 5000 km and is home for approximately 4500 Forest Elephants, 2500 Lowland Gorillas, 2000 Chimps both common and the gorilla size Bili, 50,000 Mandrill baboons, 1000 Leopards and numerous herds of Red Forest Buffaloes, Sitatungas, Yellow Backed Duiker, Black Colobus Monkeys, Sun-Tailed Monkeys, Red River Hogs and 400 species of birds and many other types of animals. It is a diverse land which has rainforest, savannahs, mountains, hills and valleys, and the mighty Ogooue River waterfalls and rapids.

Mayumba National Park protects an area of coastal sea of approximately 900 square kilometers, and a narrow 1km x 60km strip of beach and coastal vegetation which opens into Banio Lagoon is 150 south of Petit Loango. The Mayumba coastline is characterized by long exposed sandy beaches and extensive freshwater, tidal or brackish lagoons. The beaches support a rich shoreline fauna including monitor lizards, genet, mongoose, ghost crabs and shore birds. Buffalo, Elephant and other forest animals are frequently found on the beaches and amid the dense dune vegetation that fringes the coast. Mandrill, Gorilla, Chimpanzee, and other primates inhabit the forest-savannah mosaic behind the dunes. The lagoons, some of which are extensive and extend for many miles inland, laced with islands, channels and rivers, are immensely productive systems supporting a wealth of fauna and flora, much of which takes advantage of major mangroves, flooded forests and swamplands. Hippo and crocodile are found here, as well as the rare and threatened West African manatee. Mangroves are critical developmental habitat for a wide range of coastal fish species and are important for many bird species. Leatherback turtles, the largest in the world gather here in November to lay their eggs.

the fantastic natural preserve of Lonago Gabon. Situated between Nkomi and Ndogo Lagoons, Loango is the jewel of West African coast. Loango still is an unexplored wilderness area of 230,000 hectares. It measures 25 miles wide and 60 miles long. Loango has sandy ocean beaches with coastal rainforest that emerge into green open grassy savannah, fresh water lagoons, swamps and mangroves.

It is a rare place where the many animals of the jungle forest can be found on the long sandy beach. Leopards, Buffalo, Lowland Gorillas and Chimps walk the beach while Elephants and Hippos frolicked in the ocean surf.

The jungle rainforests of this area contain a fabulous wealth and variety of flora and wildlife. The Forest Elephant, Hippopotamus and Buffalo are among the larger mammals. There are several antelope species including the small Blue Duiker, midsize aquatic Sitatunga and large Bongo are abundant. Leopards and their favorite prey the Red River Hogs played a constant game of life and death. Wild Dogs, Jackal and Giant Pangolion or scaly anteaters also frequented the rainforest.

There are 20 species of primates including the Lowland Gorillas, two types of Chimpanzees the common Chimp and the large gorilla size Bili or Koolakamba. Seven monkey species are to be found. Black and White Colobus are common as are Red Capped and Grey Cheeked Mangabey. One of those primates, the Sun-Tailed Monkey, was unknown before 1984. In fact, the Gorilla was first discovered in Gabon Africa in 1867. Mandrill baboons with female troops that numbered from 80 to 700 could also be found roaming the forest at amazing speed.

The many rivers and tributaries are abundant with life including all three African crocodiles. The massive Nile Crocodile the smaller Slender Snouted Crocodile and the Dwarf crocodile were all accounted for. The Sitatunga antelope swam the many rivers to avoid the Leopard. In the larger jungle rivers are found the rare river Manatees. Many species of fish filled the rivers and lagoons. Six types of sea turtles laid eggs on the beach between October and February including Leatherbacks and Loggerheads. Monitor Lizards and Mongoose would patrol the beach for turtle eggs and unsuspecting prey. The Wild Dogs and Jackals patrolled the beach for food as well.

Humpback whales could be seen June to September. Sperm whale and Killer whale were also in the ocean. Several dolphin species and the rare hump back dolphin also were seen in the ocean. Many sharks including the sand shark which was known to swim into the fresh water of the lagoons and bays fed by the Jungle rivers were also present. The great white shark was observed from shore his large dorsal fin exposed searcing for anything to devour.

Many wonderful and several unique bird species were observed. Crowned Eagles loved to feast on the monkeys. The parrots and songbirds of the forest were a constant chorus of happy or excited stories. The insect life was abundant with many rare and beautiful butterflies. Gabon is home to innumerable snakes, spiders, bats, and other species.