Money and payments
Cards and cash
All Ecobank ATMs in Gabon take Mastercard and Visa card for cash withdrawal.
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Africa · Middle AfricaOutline guideCountry in Central Africa
Photo: Burmesedays, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Gabon is a country in Central Africa with an array of landscapes and wildlife in its 13 national parks.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Gabon.
Cards and cash
All Ecobank ATMs in Gabon take Mastercard and Visa card for cash withdrawal.
French
French is the sole national language, with 80% of the population able to speak it. There are various native languages as well, the most significant is Fang, spoken by 32% of the population as their mother tongue.
Mobile networks
Don't drink the tap water.
Malaria is common, so visitors should take malaria pills and a mosquito net when travelling in Gabon.
The people are generally very friendly, respectful and helpful to visitors.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
the capital
one of the four largest cities in Gabon, it lies on the Mpassa River and at the end of the Trans-Gabon Railway and the N3 road.
a small town in Gabon lying on the southern bay of the Ndogo Lagoon.
a Vili- and Lumbu-speaking town of about 5,208 people on the coast, at the end of the N6 road, lying on a peninsula separated from the mainland by the Banio Lagoon
also on the coast
Ivindo National Park is in eastern Gabon. Most famous for the spectacular Kongou and Mingouli waterfalls of the Ivindo River, known as the “wonders of Ivindo”, the park includes the Ipassa Makokou Biosphere Reserve and Langoué Baï, one of the 5 most important forest clearings in Central Africa.
Loango National Park is in the Coastal Plain region of Gabon.
Lopé National Park is in the Central Highlands region of Gabon. The Lopé-Okanda ecosystem and landscape was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007.
Places in Gabon on the World Heritage List.
Ivindo National Park
Listed 2021
Ecosystem and Relict Cultural Landscape of Lopé-Okanda
Listed 2007
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
flat riverplains and lagoons with dense rainforest on the Atlantic coast as well as the capital city and majority of the population
the Cristal Mountains and Chaillu Massif with huge tracts of highland rainforest
the eastern region mostly bordering Republic of the Congo; more rainforest
Public transport and paid services in Gabon.
By train
The Trans-Gabon railway goes from Owendo to Franceville. The trip takes 12-18 hours, and is often delayed. Train times change according to the season.
By bus
A few wealthy Gabonese entrepreneurs have invested in new buses for bus lines to service the larger interior cities. Mostly these buses serve the cities with paved roads leading to and from them.
By boat
Boat travel is available all along the coast of Gabon and dozens of miles up the Ogooue river to Lambarene. Boats leave daily to/from Libreville and Port Gentil.
By plane
Air Service has scheduled flights to Oyem, Makouko and Franceville/Mvengue. Air Nationale flies to Franceville/Mvengue.
By car
There are some paved roads in Gabon, if you are staying in one of the major cities a car should suffice.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Gabon.
Finding apps for Gabon…
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Libreville · International · LBV
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Libreville
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 28° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 27° | 26° | 26° | 27° | 27° | 27° | 28° |
| Avg. low | 26° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 24° | 23° | 23° | 24° | 25° | 25° | 26° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 224 | 207 | 294 | 247 | 188 | 36 | 12 | 24 | 112 | 348 | 391 | 234 |
| Humidity | 86% | 86% | 86% | 86% | 88% | 86% | 85% | 85% | 86% | 88% | 89% | 87% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$50
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$145
Per person, per day
Luxury
$360
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $25 | $80 | $210 |
| Food and drink | $10 | $30 | $70 |
| Local transport | $5 | $15 | $30 |
| Activities | $10 | $20 | $50 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 2 of 4Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased cautiondue to unrest, crime, and health. Unrest Demonstrations and protests may occur in Gabon without warning. Protests often occur in Libreville and Port Gentil. Crime Crime is common in Libreville and Port Gentil. It includes robbery, vehicle break-ins, and residential burglaries. Health Access to medical care is limited. Medical facilities are limited in quality and standard of care they can provide. They may not have enough supplies of basic medications, especially outside of large cities.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Gabon.
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