KEY FACTS - ChangemakersThe skeletons of former forestry evidence the problems of an extractive resource. Once gone, local jobs disappear too. The plan is to begin developing tourism

MOUKALABA–DOUDOUNATIONAL PARK

DATE CREATED: 2002

AREA: 5,000 km2

PROVINCES: Nyanga, Ogooué Maritime

HIGHEST PEAK: Mt. Doudou, 840m

HABITAT: Mountain forest, Rainforest,

Savanna, Papyrus, Raphia marshes

PROVINCES: Ogooué-Maritime, Ngoungié

NEAREST CITIES: Tchibanga, Mandji, Gamba

STATUS: IUCN Critical Site for Conservation

KEY FACTS

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN TOURISM

Moukalaba-Doudou National Park is known fordiverse habitats – from moist mountain forest topapyrus swamp and rainforest, from watershedrivers of Lagune Ndogo and the Moukalaba andNyanga rivers, to grassy savannas with uniquespecies. Reopening old logging roads for vehiclescreate opportunities to link circulation for east-west tourism routes. The entire park is currentlydifficult to access for tourism.

Moukalaba’s high numbers of primates could produce one of the best

sites in Africa for viewing Rainforest Gorillas. Punu traditional cultural

prohibitions from hunting gorillas and chimps would be a major

advantage for launching nature tourism here.

Considerable efforts at capacity-building by NGOs with local community

members could make southern Moukalaba a potential candidate for

community-based ecotourism. Through partnerships with ecotourism

operators who have experience operating successful lodges in Africa, local

people would benefit from jobs and training, while serving to provide a

wide range of services and products.

PHASE TWO DEVELOPMENT

moukalabadoudouNATIONAL PARK

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MOUKALABA-DOUDOU NATIONAL PARK 184

LEFT: A dawn boat trip through the lakes of the Bongo River reveals the distant mountains in thecenter of Moukalaba-Doudou.

FAR LEFT: High numbers of Rainforest Gorillas live in this park. A 2006 expedition found consistentsigns of primates - more research is needed but these initial findings are promising.

The skeletons of former forestry

evidence the problems of an

extractive resource. Once gone,

local jobs disappear too. The

plan is to begin developing

tourism to enable steady long-

term community income.

The efforts of PSVP and

WWF in the area are evident

in certain communities.

The extensive Nyanga

papyrus swamps extend

along the Park's southern

rivers, drawing elephant,

buffalo, and sitatunga here

in the dry season.

A small lodge with

spectacular river views was

being built at Igouchi in 2006.

The ferry over the

Nyanga enables vehicles

to cross the river to

get to the south.

Ancient limestone

formations remain where

once the surrounding land

eroded away leaving sharp-

edged, wonderfully

sculptural shapes.

Punu traditions offer

visitors a taste of Gabon’s

rich cultural identity.

Hippo families are said to frequent

the Nyanga River east of

Tchibanga. If found, they will shy

from humans due to hunting.

Tchibanga is the major town

in the area, a source for

local supplies. The town

needs more regular airline

flights to stimulate tourism.

The savannas in the buffer zone

near Doussala are the only place

in Gabon where herds of Common

Waterbuck (“kob”) are found.

185 MOUKALABA-DOUDOU NATIONAL PARK

Moukalaba-Dougougou River

Ndogo Lagoon

MOURINDI

To TCHIBANGA To MOABI

GAMBA

Nyanga

IGOTCHI

A giant tree rises high

above others in the forest,

worthy of tourist note.

The Doudou Mountains are

important for gorilla and

chimp populations in Gabon.

WWF founded a patrol station

to help prevent bushmeat from

being carried by river.

Lake Kivoro is known for its

waterbirds. Here, an African

Darter perches on a tree filled

with nests.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR TOURISMINFRASTRUCTURE REQUIRED FOR ACCESS

The west and south sides of the Park are currently accessible by air toGamba, then by boat up the Bongo or Nyanga Rivers; the rest of the Parkis reached from either air flights to Tchibanga or Mayumba, or by vehiclefrom Libreville on a long unpaved road which takes two days to travel.Most of these options pose problems for tourist access: the road is toobumpy and Tchibanga flights are irregular (an impediment to thepre-scheduled itineraries tourists desire).

There are solutions to each of these problems. The dirt landing striplocated a few kilometers south of Doussala is in reasonable conditionand can accommodate direct charter flights if repaired. Reopening oldlogging roads on the north side of Mt Doudou will enable tourists fromGamba to reach the eastern side of the Park, by way of a boat trip on thewild Bongo River. A proposed floating river lodge will provide beautifulovernight accomodations. Infrastructure changes are critical to stimulatingprivate investment at Moukalaba. Parcs Gabon's field offices at Mourindihelps provide a serviceable base for tourism administration.

Renovating the old logging roads after the Nyanga River crossing atDigoudou in the southeastern savannas will also open access to the interiorof the park from Tchibanga, and could link Tchibanga to Gamba viaCachimba Lake.

LOCAL COMMUNITIES CAN BENEFIT

Now that loggers have left the area, new sources of employment are indemand. This area has great potential forcommunity-based tourism ifexperienced tourism partners arelocated and business arrangedto benefit all parties – hotelier,community, and government.

Rainforest Gorillas appear to

exist in high density in

Marantaceae thickets that

flourish in prior logged areas

near Doussala. Some groups

are being studied by University

of Kyoto primatologists.

Local residents and government

officials are interested in developing

long-term plans for community tourism.

It needs economic investment and an

experienced ecotourism partner.

Old forestry roads can be

reopened to help tourists

access the southern side of

the Park from the Gamba area.

Foundations of an old bridge across

the Dougougou River can be reused for

modern access.

The road to Libreville is a 12-

hour long series of potholes,

too rough for tourists now.

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Moukalaba-doudounational park

Ndogo River

DOUSSALA

Abundance of Primates and BirdsSIGNIFICANT POTENTIAL FOR NATURE TOURISM

Moukalaba is known to scientists as having one of Gabon’s highestprimate densities. Once-cut forests are now abundant with succulentMarantaceae plants, a major food source for gorillas as well as elephantsand other species. If the animals can be acclimated to the proximity ofhumans and access is improved this will create an important area fornature tourism in Gabon.

This is also a remarkable area for birders. Many avian species that can’tbe seen elsewhere in Gabon appear at Moukalaba, including VermiculatedOwl, Black-backed Barbet, Black-headed Batis, Fiery-breasted Bushshrike,Brown Twinspot, rare swallows, and a mysterious swift.

The Nyanga papyrus swamps are stunning from above - ideal forviewing in a hot air balloon ride. An impressive multi-habitat biking/hikingadventure could run from Gamba to the Vera Plains, coming out at theNyanga River.

ABOVE: A big nesting colony of African Darters is a feature of Lake Kivoro.

TOP LEFT: Waterbirds and other aquatic plant and animal species make a river tripa magical wilderness experience.

LEFT: Egrets are abundant near Moukalaba’s waters. They often fly ahead of one’s boaton upriver trips.

CENTER: The Black-winged Red Bishop is seen in few other places in Gabon.

LEFT: A little-known African bird, the Red-throated Cliff Swallow inhabits Moukalaba.Unidentified species of swifts have beenspotted flying among the swallows – further baitfor attracting serious birders.

ABOVE: The spectacular limestone outcropsmay look like sculptures to us but are home tohundreds of these birds, who place their mudnests together high on the rock.

BELOW: Chimpanzees live here, as well asRainforest Gorillas and groups of monkeys – allhighly-sought by tourists to be seen up close aspart of a rainforest experience.


rich varietyMANY HABITATS/MUCH BIODIVERSITY

Because of its large size and different habitats this great park can offer avariety of visitor experiences – mountains, rivers, savannas, and proximityto the sea. This is Gabon’s only park where the elegant “kob”(waterbuck) is found in numbers, although they can be found elsewherein Africa as well. Moukalaba-Doudou also hosts healthy populations ofprimates, elephants, and birds.

With the help of enthusiastic guides who can make the environment comealive, tourists will be almost as excited to discover a tiny chameleon asan elephant. Building guide expertise needs to be an important part ofcommunity-based tourism.

LEFT: Will Moukalaba be renowned for up-closeviews of Rainforest Gorillas? More field scienceis needed to determine the feasibility of gorillatourism at Moukalaba.

BELOW: Forest Elephant numbers are higharound Moukalaba as at many of Gabon’s otherNational Parks.

ABOVE: Finding a tiny jewelike chameleon is areward for sharp eyes.

BELOW: The Slender-snouted Crocodile is afish-eating specialist of African rainforest rivers.

BELOW RIGHT: A Hippopotamus chargingtoward the water is a memorable experiencefor visitors in small boats. Good populations ofForest Elephants in Moukalaba-Doudou will bea feature of the Park.

LEFT: Gabon’s only kob can be the focus for afuture “community reserve” created in thebuffer zone within the Domaine de Chasse dela Moukalaba, which runs from Douassa toMourindi. This reserve would protect wildlifewhile providing a community resource and aplace to show tourists this beautiful, highlylocalized antelope.

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Setting Up Wildlife Experiences

Because of its many habitats, untouched open space and populations ofbig apes and elephants, Moukalaba-Doudou will offer strong lures fortourists. The challenge is to find ways to bring people up close to wildlife.

If animals are protected from hunting and become acclimated to people atMoukalaba east, tourism can grow here. While the main attraction shouldbe an authentic “rainforest experience” with well-trained forest guides.

ABOVE: An observation blind can be created, to hide tourists while enabling them to quietlyenter Kob areas without disturbing the animals. Male Kob come together in designated opendisplay grounds for breeding. They show off to one another and to females who select amongdominant males for mating. A hidden observatory can be built for people - but only if it is createdand managed slowly and quietly in ways that do not scare the animals from their ancestralbreeding areas. Local people and scientists must also work together to acclimate the animalsto close proximity of (disguised) people. The kob may not be a main tourism attractor toMoukalaba but seeing them up close will be enjoyable to tourists.

rainforest gorilla tourism

LEARNING FROM MOUNTAIN GORILLA TOURISM

Mountain Gorilla tourism in the Virunga Volcanoesof eastern Africa has become a major touristattraction - a small group of people can walkamong habituated gorillas. RainforestGorillas, however, have different ecologyand habitat from their Mountain cousins,making habituation and tracking muchmore difficult. Despite such problems therehas been success in both Congo and CentralAfrican Republic, and early indications suggestthat Moukalaba is one of the most promising sites forgorilla tourism in Gabon.

Rainforest Gorilla tourism needs to be planned as a different kind ofexperience from Mountain Gorilla tourism. In Gabon one either seesgorillas in an ecosystem with other animals at Langoué Bai orunexpectedly comes upon a group in the forest - and the animals areoften nervous and shy about people (as humans usually have guns).Gabon’s marketing must be careful not to promise gorillas or chimps,but rather to emphasize a “rainforest experience” where every day isa different adventure.

If Rainforest Gorilla tourism is to happen in Gabon, significantinvestment in habituation and infrastructure will be necessary andsimple rules established, and reinforced, about frequency of visits,sizes of tourist groups, and health measures to reduce the possibilityof disease transmission will need to be respected. There is a traditionin the region that apes are a transformation of people’s ancestors - itis important that community tourism initiatives build on this traditionby creating jobs and directly contributing to the local economy.

“Wildlife can support communities ifcommunities support wildlife.”

EMILE MAMFOUMBI KOMBILA

PREVIOUS WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR

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access infrastructure neededCONNECTING GAMBA, BONGO, DOUSSALA AND IGOTCHI

By opening the old logging road from the abandoned village of Bongoto Doussala it is possible to open an exciting tourism circuit throughMoukalaba-Doudou National Park, with easy links to Mayumba andLoango. Visitors would fly on regular service to Gamba, travel by boat upthe Rembo Bongo (Bongo River), staying in a specialty floating lodge oneor two nights, then travel by land east across the Park to the Doussala area.The Rembo Bongo is occasionally used by local fisherman but is otherwisepristine and offers spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities - in additionto nearby “Old Bongo” with crumbling buildings that date back to thecolonial era. The cross-park transfer to Doussala would be by 4x4 vehiclealong a single-lane forest track offering spectacular panoramic views ofMonts Doudou.

After gorilla tracking in Doussala with local guides, tourists can drift downthe Moukalaba River to the Nyanga, arriving at Igotchi, which offersaccess into the wildlife-rich papyrus swamps of the Nyanga River withexcellent sport fishing opportunities. In addition, it is easy to exit at themouth of the Nyanga for whale viewing during the summer migration.From Igotchi there is easy access to Mayumba, a marine park that isglobally important for sea turtles and Humpback Whales, passing viaPoint Panga, a beautiful peninsula with attractive swimming beachesand extensive archeological sites. Transfer to Loango National Park isalso possible.

Adventure trips including mountain biking, hiking, and camping couldbe created throughout the Park. The Nyanga rapids offer opportunity fordeveloping wild water canoe adventure.

New infrastructure is needed. The bumpy, unpaved road to Libreville is too long for transportingtourists by vehicle, unless it is graded regularly and re-paved. The old logging road between the BongoRiver and Doussala can easily be reopened to meet the needs of tourism.

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WATERFALLSBroad waterfalls at Igotchi stopboat traffic. Visitors continue bycar on roads within the park.

BOAT UP RIVERFrom Mayonami, a boat takesvisitors up the river into theheart of the park.

KOB (WATERBUCK)This area is the only place inGabon to see waterbuck. Plansfor a community reserve willbenefit local people and animals.

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5 kmBuffer Zone

O

5 kmBuffer Zone

5 kmBuffer Zone

ACCESS VIA RIVERThe west side of the park canbe reached by boat fromGamba up the Ndogo River.

PAPYRUS SWAMPSPapyrus swamps along thecoast (part of the reserve) area magnet for wildlife.

HH

TCHIBANGAThis thriving town with severalgood hotels offers a convenientaccess point for visitors comingby road or air.

MARBLEThe area has rich deposits ofmarble which were exploitedartisanally in the past.

ECOGUIDESA long-term project of WWF hasresulted in fully trained ecoguideswho know the region.

PARK ENTRANCEThe final location of the parkentrance has not yet beendetermined. Doussala is agood potential site.

PR

GORILLA RESEARCHA Japanese team is studyinggorillas in this area.

OLD LOGGING ROADSOld roads within the park will beopened up for tourist use. Oneroad connects the east and westsides of the park.

Ferry

SportfishingArea

Ferry

Monts

Doudou

LAKESLakes just outside the park arerich in bird life and attract manyelephants in the dry season.

(Ancien)Bongo


LOGGING CAMPAn old logging site at Doussalawill become a visitor center andtourist accomodation through theefforts of a local NGO program.

0 10 20

Km

30 40

N

3 Nautical Miles – Artisanal Fishing Only

6 Nautical Miles – National Fishing Only

12 Nautical Miles – International Limit

GABON PARKS (1)

PARK AREA

PARK INFRASTRUCTURE (1A)

ENTRY

OFFICE

PATROL

RESEARCH

AIRSTRIP

CONCESSIONAIRE ZONE (2)

CONCESSION

PROPOSED HOTEL SITE

PROPOSED HOTEL(Site to be Found)

EXISTING HOTEL

PROPOSED CAMP SITE

EXISTING CAMP SITE

AIRSTRIP

VILLAGE ZONE (3)

VILLAGE ZONE

OFF LIMITS ZONE (4)

NO GO ZONE

BUFFER ZONE (5)

BUFFER

TRANSPORTATION

MAJOR ROAD

MINOR ROAD

UNIMPROVED

PROPOSED ROAD

TRAIL

PROPOSED TRAIL

TRAIN

TRAIN STATION

KEY

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Local Products For Special Experiences

In a world of increasing homogeneity, sophisticated tourists are looking forunique and authentic experiences. The incorporation of local crafts, foods,materials, and traditions into tourist lodges are important elements of an“authentic experience.” Hiring and training local people on the RemboBongo, and those from the lower Nyanga, can utilize valuable skills inforest exploration, fishing, cuisine, and art to provide both experiences forvisitors and employment opportunities for members of the community.

PHOTOS AT RIGHT: Local talent can be inspired for tourism - cooking, woodcarving, weavingtablemats, fishing for a fresh dinner, and arranging native flowers can come together to setan elegant table for tourists.

BELOW: Imagine an authentic local experience at Lake Kivoro...beautiful and unique.

VISION

VISION


Local Cuisine

Local Carving

Local Made Mats

Local Flowers for Table

exploring the rembo bongoSEASONAL TOURISM OPPORTUNITIES

The pristine and beautiful Rembo Bongo (Bongo River) is the kind of placethat experienced tourists look for in their search for authentic Africanexperiences. In the wet season, tourists can enjoy a day-long upriver tripwithout encountering people, perhaps just a fisherman or two, in theirpirogues. Egrets and African Darters fly ahead of one’s boat as the riverwinds through high forest, with the exciting possibility of an unexpectedsurprise around every bend. In the dry season much of the former lakebedsgrow over with tall succulent grasses that lure Forest Elephant and ForestBuffalo herds into view. It is a true Garden of Eden.

Designers envision a floating moveable lodge for Rembo Bongo,with designs that call for a village of mobile private cabins on pontoonsconnected by strong cables. The moving lodge can quietly travel the riverin the wet season and moor in Lake Kivoro to watch wildlife herds inthe dry season.

Biological filtration tanks can be carried on pontoons, filled with nativeaquatic vegetation that absorb nutrients so that sewage isn’t dischargeddirectly into the water. The lodge will employ solar panels and othermeans of environmental sustainability.

LEFT: Tourists will have different experiences in wet and dry seasons.

BELOW: Purifying plants will be carried, growing in tanks, to filter lodge waste naturally.

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Helping the Local CommunityCREATING JOBS AND STIMULATING THE ECONOMY

Tourism development and community growth should go hand-in-hand.Tourism is labor-intensive, dependent on the financial, productive, andhuman capital of a community, while local people depend on the jobscreated by lodges and tourism activities. In addition to manpower forconstruction and lodge operations, cultural resources are critical, as mostof Gabon’s tourists will want to experience the authenticity of local life.Tourism development in the Moukalaba area - and throughout Gabon -will offer employment and business endeavors for local people.

Lodges and tourism activities such as guided expeditions create importantopportunities for Gabon’s citizens. A 20-bed lodge creates 40 direct jobs torun the facility itself, in addition to many more indirect jobs - for suppliesand tourist experiences beyond the lodge. Indirect opportunities includesouvenir sales, transportation workers, educators, farmers, and otherservices to support tourism. In total, indirect jobs can add up to four jobsper hotel bed. Particularly in areas of low employment, even one ecolodgecan offer a good number of opportunities.

Communities can have a large or small role in tourism, depending on theinterests and goals of each party. The community-based tourism initiativein Gamba (see Loango chapter) may serve as a model for Moukalaba.


RIGHT: The neighborhood is interested in the possibility of tourism.

RIGHT CENTER: Many highly-capable local people have trained with PSVAP and WWF. Local expertspoint out species of interest to international birders.

FAR RIGHT COLUMN: Community-based tourism can benefit citizens and the local economy.

BELOW: Local officials with WCS staff in a meeting to discuss tourism opportunities atMoukalaba-Doudou NP.

community involvementCREATING TOURISM TO ASSIST LOCAL PEOPLE

The Doussala area was once a forestry camp, but now logging has finishedand the community needs new opportunities for employment. How doesone create sustainable tourism here that truly benefits the community?An intense service-based industry will need to be created here in thisplace unfamiliar with demanding tourists with high-expectations. Fourelements are necessary to initiate a viable community-based tourismindustry at Moukalaba:

1. RESEARCH: Research will determine the best areas for tourism andwhether enough potential exists to attract foreign visitors. Initial researchby the local NGO “Programme” and WCS scientists found positive signsof gorilla populations.

2. FIND BUSINESS PARTNERS: Find a business partner with atrack-record of international expertise in serving international clientele.

3. DEVELOP CAPITAL FUNDS: Loans are available to groups with theability to efficiently operate a lodge and offer a quality tourism destination.

4. CAPACITY-BUILDING: While an experienced operator will probablywant to bring in a certain number of trained hotel management staff toinitiate a successful operation, one necessity will be to train and employmore local people with time. A hotel business places considerable demandson its staff to offer quality services 24 hours per day/7 days per week, amajor change in any community.

ABOVE AND LEFT: One of the best locations tobuild a spectacular lodge overlooking the riveris at the site of a former logging manager’shouse, near large fruiting trees that drawgorillas. More trees can be planted in otheropen areas for the future.

BELOW: Wonderful cuisine and friendly peoplecontribute to the warm atmosphere here.

VISION

ABOVE: Community involvement in localplanning is a key element.

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WCS & cresolusMOUKALABA-DOUDOU NATIONAL PARK 194

Building Local AttractionsEXISTING STRUCTURES RECYCLED AND IMPROVED

Remnants from logging activity in the Moukalaba area can be transformedfor tourist use. Overgrown roads need minimal work to accommodatewildlife drives. After clearing and minor repairs, tourism operators willbe able to offer guests a forest experience in the comfort of a vehicle.

At the old logging camp, "rubbish" steel can be recycled for repairinginfrastructure and building creative structures for tourism. For example,designers suggest combining an old bridge support over the Nyanga River,near Doussala, with parts from abandoned forestry equipment to build anew bridge atop the existing concrete bases. Redesigning elements fromlogging is not only ecologically sensible but can be inexpensive and offerwork for local people.

Old logging roads also provide a basic path for mountain biking and foresthikes, with camping along the way.

UPPER RIGHT: Imagine a new bridge over theNyanga River, providing improved park accessfrom recycled materials.

IMAGES FAR RIGHT: Existing bridgecomponents and steel from abandoned loggingequipment could be creatively transformedinto a new element for park visitors, such asthe bridge seen upper right.

IMMEDIATE RIGHT: Imagine wildlife drives andmountain biking on old roads to experienceMoukalaba-Doudou’s beautiful landscape.


VISION

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building an eColodge HOW TO BUILD A LODGE...AND HOW NOT TO

Building lodges for ecotourism requires thinking differently about how tobuild a lodge. Ecotourists want to feel close to nature.

Most tourists desire accommodations close to the water or the Park,where they can enjoy nature-based activities and wildlife viewing. Theylike to wake up in nature and experience it through the day and night.While Tchibanga is not far from Moukalaba, major tourism activity willconcentrate closer to the Park itself. Therefore, Tchibanga is a good sitefor a restaurant and transportation hub for people coming in by road fromthe south and east, while tourism actitivities will be focused in the Park.

If a lodge is to be built at Tchibanga, the best design possible should beused. Vision designers collaborated with Gabonese architects to proposesustainable elements for a viable hotel. Good and bad sample plans at lefthighlight optimal designs for this site, with modifications to enhanceguest experiences, aesthetics, guest comfort, and energy efficiency.

The lodge complex could accommodate tourists passing throughTchibanga. Ideally, the lodge operator will create a high-end restaurant aswell as a transportation service to and from Moukalaba National Park.

GOODEXAMPLE

A well-designed lodge optimizes use of natural features. Guests benefitfrom maximized views and aesthetics, while the lodge owner and staffenjoy efficient operations.

1. Power is supplemented by solar sources. A small generator using LPG fuel hidesin acoustic casing behind earthen berm.

2. Waste is separated, then recycled, crushed, composted, or incinerated.Waste facility is behind natural vegetation.

3. Vehicle parking lot is hidden with plenty of vegetation surrounding it to shade carsand prevent unsightly views.

4. Main entrance drives through lush trees, with views across the river onceon the grounds.

5. Building is equipped with passive cooling elements - it is oriented to catchriver breezes.

6. Water is heated using solar power generated through photovoltaic panels.7. Rooms on the upper floor have individual shaded verandas, cross ventilation,

and views.8. Restaurant and bar located on the lower floor with plenty of natural light and air.

The kitchen is located in the rear of the building.9. Trees, vegetation, and natural topography are maintained to provide shade

and refuge for wildlife.10. Water tower is hidden and shaded.11. Maintenance building and laundry are kept from guests’ view.

Works against the site rather than with it. Guests are turned off by blockedviews and an uncomfortable atmosphere. Lodge owner and staffexperience the negative effects of costly pollution and inefficiency.

1. Generator too close to the main lodge - it is the first thing seen as one enters thecomplex and, worse, noise and fumes go into guest rooms.

2. Maintenance shed is also too close - visible from the drive and audible in the rooms.3. Boat fuel poorly stored. Spills will run into the river and tanks ruin clean atmosphere.4. Parking area spoils the most attractive vista. Heat from paved lot is blown into the

hotel.5. Satellite TV dish spoils view of distant hills.6. Window A/C units sit in full sun and therefore have to work twice as hard.7. Leech field from septic tanks is too short and will contaminate river.8. Water tower dominates site; water from tower is pumped downstream from

septic runoff.9. Waste disposal is too close - it will attract flies and contaminate the river.

10. Staff housing next to the main hotel disturbs privacy for both staff and guests.11. Trees felled and site flattened for construction causes erosion, loss of natural

shading, loss of wildlife habitat, and creates overheated microclimate.12. Building doesn’t work with the site or local climate; it does not allow passive

cooling and uses materials and colors that do not coordinate with the site.Design does nothing to enhance guests’ appreciation of the local environment.

13. Concrete and hard surfaces retain and reflect heat into the building, while alsodiscouraging wildlife and causing erosion problems with storm water runoff.

14. Driveway does not create a feeling of anticipation or arrival - all the worst aspectsof the hotel are revealed as soon as one turns the corner.

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BELOW: Many people in Tchibanga and Doussala hope to benefit from tourism. The challenge is todevelop the area intelligently for tourism, and sustainably for the environment and community.

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BADEXAMPLE


LESS-THAN-IDEAL SITE PLAN IDEAL LODGE SITE PLAN

Documents

KEY FACTS - ChangemakersThe skeletons of former forestry evidence the problems of an extractive resource. Once gone, local jobs disappear too. The plan is to begin developing tourism