Gabon - Info & Facts

Suggested Length of Stay

A recommended length of stay in Gabon would be 5-12 days; this depends on the amount of time spent in National Parks.

Modes of transport

Roads

Driving In Gabon is entirely feasible, but you will need a 4WD during the rainy season. Europcar, Hertz and Avis have offices at the airport.

Trains

Gabon’s main transport artery is the Transgabonais Railway line, run by SETRAG, which begins at Owendo, 9km south of Libreville, and runs 670km to Franceville, Deep in Gabon’s interior. There are four trains a week in each direction and tickets can be bought in the centre of Libreville at the SETRAG office.

Taxis

Taxis are found in towns and come in different colours (in Libreville, they are white with a red stripe; in Port-Gentil they are blue and white). You can hire the whole vehicle, known as ‘une course’, and be taken exactly where you want to go with no other passengers. Or you can buy a seat in a shared taxi, known as ‘une place’.

Boat

Passenger boats are usually referred to as ‘pirogues’. They are generally made of glass fibre and have a row of outboard motors at the stern. They are also used to transport goods on the river system; the goods and luggage are piled up on top and passengers sit below on benches. Pirogues are usually quite dilapidated and often leak when it rains. Water, sandwiches and sometimes beer are available for purchase.

Navettes (French for ‘shuttle’) are also passenger boats but usually cover shorter distances such as Libreville to Pointe Denis.

Flying

Air is by far the easiest way to move around in Gabon, as the roads are not good, distances are long and buses are slow. However, flights aren’t cheap or regular. Also be aware that it’s perfectly common for flights to leave before their scheduled departure time, so take those two-hour check-ins seriously. Airlines flying internally in Gabon include the reliable Afric Aviation and NRT.

You can also charter a small plane to fly to Lopé, Mayumba or Loango National Parks which have grass airstrips.

Health Precautions

Yellow fever vaccinations are required for all visitors over the age of one. Gabon is a malaria zone and there have been recent outbreaks of chikungunya fever and dengue fever, all transmitted by mosquito bites. There are no vaccines available for these diseases, but stringent anti-insect measures are recommended.

Food and Drink

The cassava (aka manioc) staple is a long-time favourite and is usually pounded, mixed with water, formed into sticks and boiled. Fried plantains, yams and rice are also very popular. Okra, spinach and palm oil are widely eaten here, and there is a wonderful array of tropical fruits, especially bananas and mangoes. Fish is plentiful and you’ll find chicken and pork, too. In the countryside the lure of bushmeat from the dense rainforests is a hard custom to shake off, despite efforts by conservation groups to prevent hunting.

Beer is the drink of choice when out on the town – most common among those available are Régab and Castel.

Money

The Central African CFA franc (FCFA) is the official currency of Gabon (along with five other central African countries). It is divided into 100 smaller units called centime. Gabon is largely a cash economy and credit cards are only accepted at some major hotels. Foreign currency can be exchanged at hotels and banks and there are some ATMs in major cities. ATMs are targeted by thieves, so tourists should be wary when withdrawing cash.

Time Zone

Local time in Gabon is GMT +1.

Visas

Australian citizens must have a passport that is valid upon arrival in Gabon. A visa is required: Australian citizens can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 90 days, or e-visas can be applied for in advance online.

Embassy & Consulate contacts for Gabon

Australia doesn’t have an Embassy or Consulate in Gabon. The Canadian Honorary Consul in Libreville, Gabon and the Canadian High Commission in Yaoundé, Cameroon, can provide limited consular assistance to Australians in Gabon. This service includes the issuing of Provisional Travel Documents.

Gabon Embassy & Consulate contacts in Australia

Gabon doesn’t have diplomatic representation in Australia. The nearest embassies are in Jakarta and Tokyo.

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 to 240 volts, 50Hz. European two-pin plugs are standard (Type C sockets; Type E and F may also work).

Getting there (stopovers)

Ethiopian Airlines flies to Libreville four times a week, from Singapore via Addis Ababa.

Tipping

Tipping etiquette hasn’t really been established in Gabon and it’s best to just tip according to the quality of service received. Taxi drivers don’t expect tips but rounding up the fare for good service will be appreciated. Service fees are seldom added to the bill in restaurants and a 10 percent tip for good service will be appreciated.