River Lodge Resort: Day trip from Libreville
River Lodge Resort is a popular destination for tourists and locals looking to get away from the city life of Libreville over the weekend. Located in Point Denis, the resort is situated between the banks of the Ogooué River and the Gabon Estuary, facing Libreville.
The day trip pass includes your boat transfer, lunch, and access to this small and peaceful resort. Departure is at 10am, and you’ll return at 5pm.
How to book a day trip
For 40,000 CFA per person (transport + lunch included), you can spend the day at the River Lodge Resort. Contact the friendly staff on WhatsApp (+24102621524) to make a booking. The activities manager at the time, Sarah, spoke English and so it was very easy to communicate.
The lodge uses its Facebook page to post its events, rates, and activities.
The adventure starts off at 10am at the Michel Marine in Libreville. You should plan to reach the dock around 9:30am. You’ll be asked for your name to ensure everyone in your party is there and then you’ll be loaded onto the boat.
The boat ride is just 15 minutes!
We were able to pay for our day pass (and extras) via credit card at the lodge. We only ordered one extra (sparkling water) because the drinks were all so expensive to us, but the normal price in Gabon.
The Beach and Pool
We started the experience with a glass of carrot juice (included) and then claimed two chairs to lounge on the beach.
In late December, the water was warm, and we also walked along the beach, catching glimpses of the occasional jumping fish (not pictured because, by the time I got my phone out, they would be underwater again).
The pool was a bigger hit than the beach, filled with families and couples.
There is also a kid-friendly pool and playground.
Lunch at the River Lodge Resort.
Lunch was incredible and included in your day pass. The full buffet includes the classic salads and sides, but the star of the meal is the local seafood.
The fish was grilled in the early afternoon and smelled amazing. We also got to try the Gabonese-style crabs farcis, which is crab meat mixed with onion, garlic, chili, lemon juice, and other species, then baked in a shell. I read about this dish in the Bradt Guidebook and wasn’t sure when we’d have the opportunity to try it… and just our luck, it’s available at the River Lodge Resort. I went back for seconds!
The servers also came around to dish up extra fish and other dishes as you sat. They were all so nice. Some spoke English.
I’m sad I didn’t get a close-up picture of the crabs farcis to show you, but it’s one of the dishes at the back of the picture with the guy in the black shirt. Maybe I was too excited to eat it!!
There are enough options for veg folk from the salads and sides.
The desserts were also tasty. I opted for the chocolate mousse.
The lunch totally made the 40,000 CFA day pass worth it.
The Cabins at the River Lodge Resort
Although we didn’t say at the resort, it’s a perfect weekend getaway option without all the travel outside the capital. The cabins are along the Ogooué River, giving some privacy for weekend lodge guests.
Although there are many resorts available on Pointe Denis, our experience was excellent and I highly recommend it!
At 5pm, all the day guests were ushered into the boat and off we went back to Libreville.
