Mayumba

Mayumba is a coastal town in southwestern Gabon, located on the Atlantic coast near the border with the Republic of the Congo. It is the capital of Mayumba Department in Nyanga Province. The town sits on Mayumba Bay and is linked by a network of roads to other towns in the region. It is adjacent to Mayumba National Park, a coastal and marine protected area that covers beaches, mangroves, and offshore waters and is an important nesting site for marine turtles and habitat for migratory birds and dolphins.

The economy is primarily based on artisanal fishing and small-scale commerce, with growing interest in eco-tourism related to the park and coastal ecosystems. The town has a small port and a local airport, Mayumba Airport, which provides limited scheduled service to Libreville and back, subject to weather and demand; road access to Libreville is limited and travel can be lengthy.

Mayumba has a tropical climate with a rainy season typically from October to May and a dry season in the rest of the year. The surrounding area is characterized by mangrove swamps and sandy beaches, making it a relatively undeveloped coastal environment.

Historically, Mayumba has been a fishing and trading settlement and remains a local administrative center within Nyanga Province. It is notable as a gateway to the Mayumba National Park, which protects a key segment of Gabon’s western coast.