Quartz is a very common mineral that forms clear or white crystals inside certain types of rock. In the Crystal Mountains, the rocks contain so much quartz that hikers notice the ground sparkling underfoot. It is not treasure – but it is still beautiful and worth protecting.
The mountains separate the rainforests of northern Gabon from the coast. Because the hills catch rainfall, the forests here are incredibly lush and green all year round. Chimpanzees, gorillas and mandrills live in the canopy, and the forest floor is covered in giant ferns and mushrooms of unusual shapes and colours.
The Crystal Mountains National Park was created partly to protect a rare and special group of gorillas that live only in this region. Scientists travel here from many countries to study wildlife that exists nowhere else. The park is also important for the local communities who have lived alongside these forests for generations.
The views from the higher ridges stretch across a sea of green treetops that seems to go on forever. On very clear days, you can see all the way to the coast. The mix of glittering rock, thick jungle and extraordinary wildlife makes the Crystal Mountains one of Gabon's most special places.