Middle AfricaGabon is a country in Central Africa. Its 13 national parks protect rainforests, varied landscapes and rich wildlife. Libreville is the capital.
Why go
Explore national parks with forests and wildlife.
See churches and art collections in Libreville.
Travel along the Ogooué, Gabon's longest river.
Join wildlife safaris near Nyonie.
Best time to go: June to September is a little cooler, with temperatures of 20–25°C. Gabon is hot and humid all year.
Getting there
By air
- Libreville International Airport (LBV) has connections to other African cities.
- Direct flights from outside Africa come from Paris with Air France and Istanbul with Turkish Airlines.
By land
- There are several border crossings, but the roads are poor. A vehicle with four-wheel drive, often called a 4x4, is recommended.
Customs
- As of October 2026, citizens of Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo, Chad, Equatorial Guinea and Morocco can visit without a visa for 90 days. Citizens of Mauritius and South Africa can visit without a visa for 30 days.
- Citizens of Lebanon need a specific entry authorisation as well as a visa. Visa issuance for United States citizens is suspended.
- Citizens of other countries need an electronic visa, called an e-Visa. It is issued 72 hours after application and is valid only for arrivals at Leon Mba International Airport in Libreville.
Getting around
Bus and shared cars
Buses are the easiest way to travel outside cities. Many are cars with six or nine seats, though some are minibuses. Larger buses mostly serve towns reached by paved roads. Karis Transports connects Libreville with Lambaréné and other towns.
Taxi
Taxis are plentiful in cities. Fares depend on distance and whether the driver can find more passengers at your destination. A two- or three-minute ride costs about 100 CFA francs. The stated fare limit is 5,000 CFA francs for one person. Taxi prices typically double after 21:00.
Car
A regular car can be enough in major cities. Four-wheel drive is required on some unpaved roads outside them. Gabon has fewer than 800 km of paved roads, and some are in poor condition. Rain can make travel outside major cities difficult even with four-wheel drive. Drive on the right.
Train
The Trans-Gabon railway connects Owendo and Franceville. The journey takes 12–18 hours and is often delayed. Train times change with the season. Both the Omnibus and Express take a similar time, but the Express stops at fewer small stations. You can buy tickets at the station. Bring every passenger's passport or a photocopy. The Express has air conditioning in its top three classes. The Omnibus has it only in its top two classes.
What to see and do
Libreville's churches
Visit Cathédrale Sainte Marie, Notre Dame de Lourdes Church and the Church of St. Michael Nkembo.
Libreville's museums
The National Museum of Gabon and National Museum of Arts and Traditions have collections of sculptures and other art.
Ogooué River
Gabon's longest river runs for 1,200 km through tropical forest. Its habitats support wildlife including the critically endangered slender-snouted crocodile.
Take a safari at Chez Beti
This seaside camp near Nyonie offers evening vehicle safaris and sunrise walking safaris. Possible sightings include elephants, buffalo, monkeys, parrots and hornbills.
Take a river trip to Lambaréné
Boat trips run from Port-Gentil to Lambaréné, where the Albert Schweitzer Hospital is located.
Explore national parks
Gabon's 13 national parks offer varied landscapes, rainforest and wildlife.
Food and drink
Balbool restaurant
Serves inexpensive Western food. The big Balbool soup is recommended.
Regab
The cheapest local beer comes in 650 mL bottles and costs 500–2,000 CFA francs.
D'jino fruit juices
Flavours include grapefruit, pineapple and lemon. Shop prices are 400 CFA francs for 300 mL and 900 CFA francs for 1.5 litres.
Money
Central African CFA franc (XAF), written as FCFA.
- The currency is also used by five other Central African countries.
- The Central African CFA franc and the West African CFA franc have equal value.
- The fixed exchange rate is €1 = 655.957 CFA francs.
Typical costs
- Shared transport from Libreville to Lambaréné: about 7,000 CFA francs.
- Taxi from Owendo train station to central Libreville: about 2,000 CFA francs.
- Regab beer, 650 mL bottle: 500–2,000 CFA francs.
- D'jino fruit juice in a shop: 400 CFA francs for 300 mL or 900 CFA francs for 1.5 litres.
Language
- French is the sole national language and is spoken by about 80% of the population.
- Fang is the most significant native language and is the mother tongue of about 32% of the population.
- English is generally not widely spoken.
Staying safe
- Pickpocketing and other crimes targeting tourists are common. Take care of your belongings.
- Libreville and Port-Gentil are generally safer than other areas of Gabon.
- Avoid gatherings because they may turn violent. Gabon has been politically unstable since the coup.
- Police may confiscate your passport and question you about your visit.
Staying healthy
- Malaria is common. Take malaria pills and a mosquito net when travelling in Gabon.
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are common.
- Do not drink tap water.
Where to stay
- Radisson Blu and Park Inn Radisson operate in Libreville.
- Budget and economy hotels are available in various towns.
- Chez Beti near Nyonie has air-conditioned cottages and meals included. Return transport from Libreville's marina includes a one-hour boat ride and a 45-minute trip by four-wheel drive.
- Apartment leases are an option for long stays.
Outdoor adventures in Gabon
Gabon has rainforest, rivers, Atlantic beaches and 13 national parks. Outdoor highlights include wildlife watching, turtle nesting beaches, river trips and guided safaris.
Loango National Park
WildlifeCoastal Plain
Visit the park for its beaches, nearby rainforest and wildlife. Access and tour arrangements are not described.
Lopé National Park gorilla and mandrill tracking
Wildlife
Track gorillas or mandrills with a local Indigenous guide in Lopé National Park.
Ogooué River pirogue trip in Lopé National Park
More to do
Take a pirogue, a traditional canoe, along the river in Lopé National Park. Booking arrangements are not described.
Ivindo National Park waterfalls and wildlife
Wildlife
Visit the park for its waterfalls and wildlife around rivers and waterholes. Access and guiding arrangements are not described.
Mayumba National Park leatherback turtles
WildlifeCoastal Plain
Visit the park's sandy peninsula for its nesting leatherback turtles. Access and turtle-watching arrangements are not described.
Chez Beti evening vehicle safari
SafariNear Nyonie
Arrange a stay at Chez Beti, a seaside safari camp near Nyonie. Included return transport starts at the marina in Libreville: a one-hour boat trip to a mangrove landing, then 45 minutes by 4x4 to camp. Evening safaris use a Landcruiser.
Chez Beti sunrise walking safari
SafariNear Nyonie
Join a sunrise walking safari through Chez Beti camp near Nyonie. The camp includes return transport from Libreville's marina by boat and 4x4.
Akanda National Park bird and turtle watching
Wildlife
Visit the park's mangroves and tidal flats for wildlife watching. Access and tour arrangements are not described.
Crystal Mountains National Park forest visit
More to doCentral Highlands
Visit the park for its misty forest and plants. Access, trails and guiding arrangements are not described.
Batéké Plateau National Park
Wildlife
Visit the park for its savanna, rivers and wildlife. Access and safari arrangements are not described.
Minkebe National Park
Wildlife
Visit the park for its highland forest and wildlife. Access and guiding arrangements are not described.
Mwagne National Park rainforest visit
More to do
Visit the park for its thick rainforest and river. Access, routes and tour arrangements are not described.
Airports, metros and trains in Gabon
Airports with scheduled flights
- LBVLibreville Leon M'ba International AirportLibrevilleMain international airport
- POGPort Gentil International AirportPort GentilMain international airport
Trains
- Rail network
- 810 km
People and safety in Gabon
Religion
Most people are Christian. Mixed.
- Christian77%
- Muslim11%
- Folk religions6%
- No religion6%
- Other<1%
LGBT+ travellers
Legal
- Same-sex marriage is not recognised.
- Some laws protect against discrimination.
Women travellers
Ranked #94 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.
34% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.
Who can visit without a visa
Travellers from 9 of 198 countries can visit Gabon easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.
- Visa not required8
- Visa on arrival1
- eVisa189
Who can visit easily, by part of the world
For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.
- Africa8 of 53 countries
- Europe1 of 46 countries
- Asia0 of 50 countries
- Americas0 of 35 countries
- Oceania0 of 14 countries
Questions
When is the weather cooler?
June to September is a little cooler, at 20–25°C. The climate is hot and humid all year.
Can I get by with English?
English is not widely spoken. French is spoken by about 80% of the population.
What money does Gabon use?
Gabon uses the Central African CFA franc, with currency code XAF. Prices may be written as FCFA.
How can I travel between towns?
Buses and shared cars are the easiest option outside cities. Trains, boats and domestic flights also serve some routes.
Do I need four-wheel drive?
A regular car can be enough in major cities. Some unpaved roads require four-wheel drive, and rainy-season travel can be difficult even with it.
Where can I see wildlife?
Gabon has 13 national parks. Chez Beti near Nyonie offers safaris where you may see elephants, buffalo, monkeys and birds.
Can I drink tap water?
No. Do not drink tap water in Gabon.
What accommodation is available?
Libreville has Radisson Blu and Park Inn Radisson hotels. Budget and economy hotels are available in various towns, and apartment leases are an option for longer stays.
What safety problems should I know about?
Pickpocketing and other crimes targeting tourists are common. Avoid gatherings because they may become violent.
What electricity supply does Gabon use?
Gabon uses 220 volts at 50 hertz, with Europlug sockets.
Reviewed by @snuck