Nyanga Ranch, Gabon, West Africa, astride the equator

It's been a while since updating my blog, no excuse really but we have been through a few months of upheaval and uncertainty. As many of you know we have taken a position on Nyanga ranch, Southern Gabon - as this is just an encouraging photography blog I won't go into too many details. I will just continue to explore and share a different part of Africa with you. A part I have never been to or even dreamt of ever going to! 

We did a 10 hour trip from the capital, Libreville to the 100 000 hectare ranch where we are based. The scenery was incredible and quite diverse as you near the south of the country. There would definitely be no chance of starving here, we could eat fried banana's 3 times a day (plenty palm oil and banana s)with the odd monkey thrown in for protein! Dead monkeys and all kinds of bush meat was for sale on the sides of the road most of the way. 

The ranch is outstandingly beautiful and has more savannah than jungle. We have a huge river running through it called the Nyanga. 

Our closest town is Tchibanga - oh Tete how I miss you! We can get supplies from the capital as the meat truck goes weekly. I sadly only have Internet from 6:00pm to 7:00am, Ranch rules, have to try and get around this! 

Whilst sitting on the verandah today doing French lessons (compulsory!) I had the most amazing experience of watching 3 elephants at different times, crossing the river. All the staff came rushing in from different places taking pics with their smart phones - I was amazed as thought seeing Ellie's was common place here, no they told me, they might only see 1 a year if they are lucky! I could see smiles (there had been none since we arrived)coming over their faces as they were eagerly trying to explain things to me in French. I have a feeling it's a good start for us.