Getting In and Around

Visas: Be sure your passport is valid for at least six months past your last day in Gabon. At the airport you can get a three-month, single-entry tourist visa, which can be extended once you are in the country.

Transportation: Libreville Léon M’ba International Airport is Gabon’s main airport. It handles both international and domestic flights.

The most convenient and expensive means of travel within and between cities is a private car service. You should check with your hotel or travel agency for reputable organizations. Also, the country has very few paved roads, so the ride can be pretty bumpy; we highly recommend renting a four-by-four.

The Trans-Gabon Railway offers another relatively fast and viable option for travel. Just check with your hotel to see whether using the train will not leave you too far away from your planned destinations.

Within cities are numerous minibuses that cram in their passengers, as well as taxi-brousses, which are multi-passenger vehicles that travel between cities and whose form can vary from that of a minivan to that of a truck.

Mobile Phones: We definitely recommend taking an unlocked, SIM card–enabled phone with you to Gabon. You can also buy a cheap phone in the country. The phone is the most economical and convenient way of staying connected. 

Safety and Security

The U.S. Department of State’s consular website has a great deal of information about safety and security in Gabon.

It can’t be repeated often enough: be sensible when you travel. Be alert and aware about your surroundings. Always keep important items like passports and excess cash in a safe place.

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation has created a security ratings system called the Ibrahim Index, wherein scores are based on each country’s quality of government. Before traveling to Gabon or anywhere on the continent, check the index and do your research.