Surviving Gabon

The popular US TV Show Survivor is being filmed right now in the Central African country of Gabon. Apparently the host Jeff Probst had to look at the map to figure out where it was. Given the fact that he's quite a well-traveled individual, I thought it would be timely to provide some information about Gabon and what the Survivor cast and crew can expect to find there.

Gabon has only just started to develop its tourist potential. Previously it was too busy logging, mining and drilling its natural resources. Since 2002, Gabon's President Bongo decided it might be a good idea to protect 10% of his country by establishing National Parks and Reserves with the idea of building up Gabon's tourism infrastructure. Gabon now markets itself as "Africa's Eden" and it is indeed a beautiful place. Wildlife abounds in this steamy tropical country. Thousands of lowland gorillas, unused to ever seeing humans, live in the rain forests along with chimpanzees, mandrills, buffalo, elephant and leopard. Whales and dolphins frolic in the Atlantic ocean while hippos surf the waves closer to shore.

All these animals are wonderful for Eco-tourists visiting the country, but the Survivors may find them a tad dangerous. Couple the wildlife of Gabon with the insects and bugs that carry all kinds of tropical diseases, and you've got yourself a real adventure.

Find out more about Survivor and Gabon ...

_{Host Jeff Probst -- Getty Images/Kevin White and Lowland Gorilla -- Getty Images/Gerry Ellis}