Gabon Safari Tours & Holidays

Gabon, a country along the Atlantic coast of Central Africa, has significant areas of protected parkland. The forested coastal terrain of its famed Loango National Park shelters a diversity of wildlife, from gorillas and hippos to whales. Lopé National Park consists of mostly rain forest. Akanda National Park is known for its mangroves and tidal beaches.

Gabon is also noted for efforts to preserve the natural environment. In 2002, President Omar Bongo Ondimba designated roughly 10% of the nation’s territory to be part of its national park system (with 13 parks in total), one of the largest proportions of natural parkland in the world.

Africa last living Eden Gabon, Gabon is unapologetically wild and beguiling — a time traveller’s rapture. Coined as ‘Africa’s Last Living Eden,’ each of the 13 designated national parks that fan across Gabon not only offers some of equatorial Africa’s most remarkable biodiversity but also a wealth of undiscovered wildlife experiences and unforgettable eco-adventures like no other.

How to get to Gabon

The quickest route to Gabon from the UK or the USA is with Air France (www.airfrance.com) via Paris. Other options include flights with Ethiopian Airlines (www.ethiopianairlines.com) via Addis Ababa, Royal Air Maroc (www.royalairmaroc.com) via Casablanca, and Turkish Airlines (www.turkishairlines.com) via Istanbul.

Passport, Visa and Entry requirements for Gabon

With exception to Gabonese and South African nationals, all international visitors and other African passport holders to Gabon will require appropriate ID, a passport that has been valid for six months, a valid visa and proof of travel insurance

The health sector of Gabon

The Gabonese health system is comprised of three sectors: public (civilian and military), Para public (a network of providers of the National Social Security Fund, and private (for-profit, non-profit, and traditional medicine).siting in the Equatorial region travellers are advised to take health precaution while travelling to Gabon and that includes purchasing health insurance while travelling to Gabon.

Malaria and Yellow fever vaccination for Gabon

A valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required upon arrival in Gabon and the Risk of Malaria is very high throughout the whole of Gabon. If visiting this country you will require one of the prescription anti-malarial, of either Atovaquone and Proguanil Generic Malarone, Malarone, Doxycycline or Lariam.

Currency of Gabon

The Central African CFA franc (French: franc CFA or simply franc, ISO 4217 code: XAF) is the currency of six independent states in Central Africa: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Official Language of Gabon

French is the country’s sole official language. It is estimated that 80% of Gabon’s population can speak French and that 30% of Libreville residents are native speakers of the language. Nationally, 32% of the Gabonese people speak the Fang language as a mother tongue.

Best time to travel to Gabon

The best time to visit Gabon is during the drier season of May to September, with June, July and August being the driest months, although ‘dry’ is relative here – Gabon experiences around 2.5m of rainfall a year.

What to wear in Gabon

As Gabon is hot and humid, you’ll need light, loose clothing. Make sure you have long-sleeved shirts and long pants for early mornings and evenings to avoid mosquito bites. Good walking boots are essential for visiting the national parks, as is a light waterproof jacket, even in the dry season.

What to bring while travelling to Gabon

The weight and size of your luggage are limited; whether you’re travelling in a 4 x 4 wheel drive, by aircraft or by train. The most important thing is to travel with soft-sided bags without wheels and ‘go light.’

Use a lightweight duffel [waterproof] or soft-sided bag for clothing
Pack in your carry-on bag only essential items such as spare clothing, your travel documents, light toiletries, camera and medications
Carry a light, waterproof back-pack for trekking as it will help protect any electronic items from the elements of weather [dust, mud and rain]
Choose a bag that provides you with side pockets and internal sections, so you can easily locate the item you’re searching for
Keep your documentation and passport safe at all times
Leave any plastic bags at home. Go “green” in Gabon and use material bags where possible

Car hire and driving in Gabon

Self-drive from both Libreville and Port Gentil but self-drive 4×4 rentals happen to be even more expensive than car rentals with driver in Gabon. However, Libreville is quite hard to get through once you get to Libreville and drive out of the city you will appreciate why Gabon remains a very expensive travel destination. But for full experience hire a driver along.

Accommodation in Gabon

Libreville, city and capital of Gabon, located on the north shore of the Gabon Estuary, which empties into the Gulf of Guinea and you can find decent accommodation but remotely there are limited places to stay though you may find cheap Auberges and local hotels

Local food of Gabon

Nyembwe chicken

In Gabon, the sauce is usually called Nyembwe from the Myene word for palm oil. The most important dish using Nyembwe is Nyembwe chicken which is considered a national dish of Gabon.

Tipping while Travelling in Gabon

Although in general around 10% is considered fair, there are no strict rules for tipping. Tipping for an expensive meal is perfectly acceptable, and generally, there is no need to tip for inexpensive meals or drinks on a night out.

Further information for Gabon

Gabon is a country in west-central Africa. It shares borders with Cameroon to the north, the Republic of the Congo to the east and south, and Equatorial Guinea to the northwest. To the west is the Gulf of Guinea. Gabon’s small population and natural resources have made it one of the region’s most prosperous countries.

Safety of Gabon

Petty crime, including pickpocketing, bag snatching, and vehicle break-ins, is common in Gabon. Keep your valuables out of sight. Violent crime, including robberies and armed attacks, occurs, especially in Libreville and Port Gentil so travellers are advised to take extra caution and re-frame from walking at Night.