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Gabon visa requirements for South African citizens

South African citizens do not need a visa for Gabon. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 30 days.

Passport

ZAF

South Africa

Going to

GAB

Gabon

No visa needed

Just show your passport at the border.

Visa
Not required
Max stay
30 days
Last updated
11 November 2026

What to do

  1. Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it.

  2. Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.

  3. Note the maximum stay and count your days in Gabon.

Ways into Gabon

Apply at an embassy for a holiday visa.

  • eVisaSingle-entry eVisaAn online visa for one entry through Léon Mba airport in Libreville.
    Fee
    Total unknown; extra 15 EUR processing fee
    Processing
    3 days
    Entries
    Single

    How to apply

    1. Choose single entry and fill in the online form.
    2. Upload your passport page and photo.
    3. Submit and wait for travel approval.
    4. Get approval before you leave.
    5. Pay on arrival when you receive the visa sticker.

    Documents required

    • Passport identity page copy
    • Recent colour photo, 35 × 45 mm
    • Details came from an old page copy; current rules were not confirmed.
    • You must arrive by air at Léon Mba airport in Libreville.
    Official page
  • eVisaMultiple-entry eVisaAn online visa for repeated entries through Léon Mba airport in Libreville.
    Fee
    Total unknown; extra 15 EUR processing fee
    Entries
    Multiple

    How to apply

    1. Choose multiple entry on the online portal.
    2. Follow the online application steps.
    3. Wait for travel approval before leaving.
    • Old guidance says no extensions; current rules and each visit's stay remain unconfirmed.
    • You must arrive by air at Léon Mba airport in Libreville.
    Official page
  • Visa requiredTourist visaA visa for people visiting Gabon on holiday.
    Processing
    3 days

    How to apply

    1. Ask the embassy which rules apply to you.
    2. Fill in the form.
    3. Gather the papers and pay the fee.
    4. Submit your application.

    Documents required

    • Passport valid 6 months
    • Hotel booking
    • Copy of valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. vaccine
    • A visa does not guarantee entry.
    • The current visa-free country list was not confirmed.
    Official page
  • Visa requiredTourist visaA visa for people visiting Gabon on holiday.
    Processing
    3–5 days

    How to apply

    1. Check that the embassy can accept your application.
    2. Fill in the form.
    3. Submit your passport, papers and fee.
    4. Collect your passport.

    Documents required

    • Hotel booking
    • Yellow fever vaccination record; the page also lists a medical-provider exemption statement. vaccine
    • American travellers should ask an embassy about current entry rules.
    Official page
Sources (16)Last updated 11 November 2026

Embassies for this trip

For lost passports and emergencies.

All embassies

  • Embassy

    Embassy of South Africa, Libreville

    Libreville

    “Les Arcades” Building, 2nd Floor, 142, Rue des Chavannes, Centre Ville, Libreville

    dirco.gov.za +241-774530 Email

Coming from South Africa

  • Plugs C EAdapter for some
  • MoneyXAF Fr
  • Time−1h
  • DrivingOn the rightLook left first
  • LanguageFrench
  • Emergency1730 police1300 ambulance

Planning your Gabon trip

Best time to go: June to September is a little cooler, with temperatures of 20–25°C. Gabon is hot and humid all year.

  • Libreville's churchesVisit Cathédrale Sainte Marie, Notre Dame de Lourdes Church and the Church of St. Michael Nkembo.
  • Libreville's museumsThe National Museum of Gabon and National Museum of Arts and Traditions have collections of sculptures and other art.
  • Ogooué RiverGabon's longest river runs for 1,200 km through tropical forest. Its habitats support wildlife including the critically endangered slender-snouted crocodile.
Read the full Gabon guide

Scams to watch for in Gabon

All scams in Gabon
Gabon

About Gabon

Gabon is a republic on the Atlantic coast of Central Africa, on the equator and heavily forested.

Capital
Libreville
Money
Central African CFA franc (Fr)
Languages
French
Time zone
UTC+01:00
Cars drive on the
right side
Calling code
+241
Read the Gabon guide

Other Africa passports

Going to Gabon

Easier trips nearby

Places close to Gabon with simpler entry for you.

AngolaVisa not required90 days
BeninVisa not required90 days
BotswanaVisa not required90 days
EswatiniVisa not required30 days
GambiaVisa not required90 days
GhanaVisa not required90 days
KenyaVisa not required90 days
LesothoVisa not required90 days

Questions

Do south african citizens need a visa for Gabon?

South African citizens do not need a visa for Gabon. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 30 days.

How long can south african citizens stay in Gabon?

Up to 30 days each visit with the no visa needed rule. Staying longer can mean a fine or a ban from coming back.

Do gabonese citizens need a visa for South Africa?

Gabonese citizens do not need a visa for South Africa. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 30 days.

Do other Africa passports get easier entry to Gabon?

Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo Equatorial Guinea, and 2 more can enter without applying before they travel.

Which countries near Gabon are easier for south african citizens?

Angola, Benin, Botswana, Eswatini Gambia, and 3 more let south african citizens in without applying before travel.

What should I carry to Gabon?

Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it. Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.

What money is used in Gabon?

Central African CFA franc (Fr). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.

What language do people speak in Gabon?

French.

How strong is the South Africa passport?

It ranks #51 and reaches 91 destinations without applying ahead.

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