Practical information Gabon

Yes, all French, Belgian, Swiss and Canadian nationals need a visa to enter Gabon. The procedure is now processed via the e-visa portal of the Directorate General of Documentation and Immigration, and must be requested at least 72 hours before departure. The short-stay tourist visa costs approximately 70,000 XAF (€105) for a single entry valid for 90 days. Upon arrival at Léon-Mba Airport in Libreville, the electronic authorization is converted into a visa affixed to the passport, which must be valid for at least 6 months after the return date and include two blank pages. Our team sends detailed instructions to each traveler upon confirmation.

Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory to enter Gabon and is checked upon arrival in Libreville: without an international certificate, entry will be denied. Universal vaccines (DTP, hepatitis B, MMR) must be up to date. Strongly recommended: hepatitis A, typhoid, and depending on the length of stay, rabies and meningitis. Malaria is present throughout the country, including in Libreville. Preventive treatment (Malarone, doxycycline) is essential and must be prescribed by a travel medicine doctor. Also plan for a strong insect repellent, clothing that covers skin in the evening, and an insecticide-treated mosquito net for nights in lodges. Ideal consultation: 6 to 8 weeks before departure.

Gabon is one of Africa's most expensive destinations, due to limited tourism infrastructure and the cost of domestic transportation. Budget 200 to 350 € per day per person for an organized tour with full board, excluding international flights. A domestic flight Libreville-Port-Gentil costs 150 to 200 € one way. A night in a lodge at Loango or Lopé ranges from 180 to 350 € per person with full board, outings included. For reference, a meal at a restaurant in Libreville costs 8,000 to 20,000 XAF (12 to 30 €). Tipping is not mandatory but appreciated: 5 to 10 € per day for a nature guide.

The main dry season, from June to mid-September, offers the best conditions to explore the country: passable trails, wildlife concentrated near water points, cooler mornings (20 to 24°C). It's also the season for humpback whales off Loango and Mayumba. The short dry season, from mid-December to January, is ideal for beaches and leatherback turtle observation at Pongara and Mayumba (nesting from November to February). The rainy seasons (February-May and October-November) complicate access to parks: certain trails close, humidity is high. We avoid sending travelers into the bush during these months.

Distances and road conditions require combining multiple modes of transport. Afrijet domestic flights connect Libreville to Port-Gentil, Franceville, Oyem and Makokou in 1 to 1.5 hours. The Transgabonais train crosses the country over 670 km from Libreville to Franceville, with a stop in Lopé: a journey of 8 to 14 hours depending on services, with air-conditioned classes available. On the ground, a 4x4 with driver is mandatory to reach the parks from regional airports. At Loango and Ivindo, travel is by motorized canoe. In Libreville, shared taxis and ride-hailing services work well. Self-drive car rental is not recommended.

Gabon is one of the most stable countries in Central Africa, with no marked community tensions. Libreville and Port-Gentil require standard urban precautions: no ostentatious jewelry, vigilance in markets, registered taxis in the evening. Rural areas and national parks are safe, provided you are accompanied by an accredited guide (presence of forest elephants, sometimes aggressive). Border areas with Congo and Equatorial Guinea require prior authorization. Our team in Libreville monitors the situation daily, adjusts itineraries if needed, and remains available 24/7 during your stay. Travel insurance with medical evacuation remains essential.