Gabon is a small nation located between Cameroon and the Republic of Congo. Gabon thanks to foreign investment and abundance of oil quickly became one of the most prospering countries of sub-Saharan Africa and the richest among its neighbors. Gabon also enjoys a lack of political turmoil unlike some countries in its vicinity making it a popular destination in the region. Gabon mostly offers incredible tourist attractions in the wild however for the city dwellers there are also numerous attractions in Libreville.

Traveling info

All visitors traveling to Gabon are required to have a valid passport. Citizens of some African nations may enter Gabon without the requirement of a visa whilst others may obtain a visa either on arrival or online from the official Gabonese site. (Link in sources). Visitors who wish to drive in Gabon may do so without the requirement of an International driving permit and may use their domestic driving permit. Despite no requirement, an IDP can be helpful when dealing with the local police or renting a car.

Traveling hazards

Travel by road in Gabon can be hazardous. You should drive with your car windows up and the doors locked. Travelers are routinely stopped at police checkpoints within cities and on roads to the interior. You should comply politely if stopped but avoid encouraging requests for bribery if possible. You should use extreme caution when driving after dark. Two lane roads are the norm throughout Gabon. Roads to outlying cities are usually unpaved. There are many visible and hidden dangers including large potholes, the absence of road signs, poor to non-existent streetlights, timber laden trucks, and the presence of pedestrians and animals. Construction work is generally poorly indicated. Drivers may change lanes or stop unexpectedly. Lane markings are frequently ignored. Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended for travel beyond the paved road to Lambarene, especially during the rainy season. Roadside assistance and emergency medical services are available in Libreville, but they may not be dependable. These services are nonexistent outside of the city. Service stations are available along main roads, but vehicle repair facilities are not always available. Bus service exists in Libreville, but buses are infrequent and routes are not generally convenient, so most people use taxis to get around the city. Use of taxis is generally safe but does pose added risks. You should use a hotel taxi when possible. Before entering a taxi, check that the taxi has seatbelts and negotiate the rate for your trip. Rail services remain available, but infrequent, and travelers should expect lengthy delays.

Environmental hazards

Much of the country is covered by thick jungle however there are savannas which allow some of the larger animals to thrive there. Both the jungles and savannas of Gabon are home to a variety of animals, some of which can be dangerous to people. The African bush elephant is the largest land animal on earth and despite not being aggressive, the sheer size of these animals makes them dangerous. Startled or angered elephants may easily trample humans or even flip over large cars. African forest elephants are also present in Gabon and despite being smaller than bush elephants, they are just as dangerous. Hippopotamuses are present in Gabon and inhabit its many rivers and other water bodies. Hippos may look harmless and docile, but they are fierce and will attack any intruder. Hippopotamuses are among the most dangerous animals on earth and are responsible for more human deaths than crocodiles, elephants, and lions taken together. Lions are present in Gabon and are the apex predators of Africa. These giant felines are bold and not afraid to attack. They can be witnessed on safari trips offered in Gabon. The tropical forests of Gabon are home to numerous venomous snakes such as the gaboon viper and many other species. Due to the danger these snakes pose, tourists are advised to avoid all snakes as an inexperienced eye won’t be able to tell venomous and non-venomous snakes apart. Some of the snakes of Gabon have venom lethal enough to kill people within hours. Survival often depends on the proximity of the nearest hospital. Medical help after a bite should be sought immediately as bites may cause paralysis. Crocodiles inhabit the waters of Gabon. These large animals are the apex predators of Gabon rivers and marshes. Shark attacks do take place off the coast of Gabon, bull sharks are capable of swimming up freshwater rivers which takes place along many coastal countries.
Sole natural hazards which are capable of devastating the country and claiming lives are floods. Earthquakes in Gabon didn’t take place for the past 40 years.

Health hazards

All visitors are required to be vaccinated against yellow fever before traveling to Gabon and must have proof of such vaccine upon arrival. Apart from the yellow fever vaccination, there are no other required vaccines. There are however several which are strongly recommended. These are the routine vaccines aka MMR vaccines, hepatitis A and B, typhoid and rabies vaccines. Mosquitoes in Gabon are often carriers of malaria and Zika virus. There are no vaccinations against these however there are alternative ways to protect against there. There is medicine on prescription against the disease. Such medicine should be available to anyone after consulting their local GP. Since both diseases are contracted through mosquito bites, mosquito nets and mosquito repellents are strongly recommended. Thanks to the rapid development of Gabon, the country boasts one of the best healthcare systems in the region delivering moderate quality healthcare to its citizens. Private facilities deliver a much better quality of care however services come at a greater expense and are limited to Gabon’s capital.
In case of an emergency dial 1300 / 1399.

Crime

Crime is more commonplace in Libreville and Port Gentil than in rural areas. Mob justice exists, and suspects can find themselves pursued and beaten by bystanders. In December 2017, a Gabonese resident of Nigerien descent traveled from Booué to Libreville to ‘hurt Americans’ after learning of the U.S. decision to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. As a result, two Danish nationals were injured in a knife attack, one seriously. Gabonese authorities arrested the suspect and concluded that this was a ‘lone wolf’ act. Apart from this incident, a violent crime directed toward expatriates or foreign tourists remains infrequent. The majority of crimes against foreigners are crimes of opportunity, though there have been some reports of foreigners being robbed at machete-point. Common types of crimes experienced by expatriates include muggings, theft of unattended possessions, and pickpocketing. Thieves and robbers most frequently take cash and electronic items, such as cellular phones. Travelers should remain vigilant when visiting Libreville’s beaches and areas of the congregation, such as markets and concerts, due to the heightened risk of petty crime. While these areas are more dangerous at night, daytime incidents have also been reported. Being in a crowded area does not ensure one’s security. Some victims report being robbed in broad daylight in the presence of witnesses. There is no terrorist threat in Gabon however threat on political or ethnic level exists like mentioned above. Narcotics are strictly illegal and highly punishable.

Summary

Gabon is an incredible destination for those who love a combination of safari trips, incredible beaches, exploring the African jungle or witnessing gorillas in their natural habitat. Libreville offers numerous activities for those who prefer exploring concrete jungles rather than real ones. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
https://evisa.dgdi.ga/
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/gabon