From Wikitravel

Gabon is a country in Western Central Africa. It lies on the Equator, on the Atlantic Ocean coast, between the Republic of the Congo to the south and east, Equatorial Guinea to the northwest and Cameroon to the north.

A small population, as well as oil and mineral reserves have helped Gabon become one of Africa's wealthier countries. The country has generally been able to maintain and conserve its pristine rain forest and rich biodiversity.

Contents 1 Regions 2 Cities 3 Other destinations 4 Understand 4.1 Climate 4.2 Terrain 4.3 History 5 Get in 5.1 By Air 5.2 By car 6 Get around 6.1 By Air 6.2 By car 6.3 By train 6.4 By bus 6.5 By boat 7 Talk 8 Buy 9 Eat 10 Drink 11 Sleep 12 Learn 13 Work 14 Stay safe 15 Respect 16 Contact

Regions

Administrative divisions 

9 provinces; Estuaire, Haut-Ogooue, Moyen-Ogooue, Ngounie, Nyanga, Ogooue-Ivindo, Ogooue-Lolo, Ogooue-Maritime, Woleu-Ntem

Cities

• Libreville - Capital
• Cap Lopez
• Kango
• Lambarene
• Mayumba
• Owendo
• Port-Gentil
• Gamba
• Franceville

Other destinations

Understand

Climate

Tropical; always hot, humid. During the month of June to September, the climate is a bit cool (20-25°C).

Terrain

Narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south

Highest point 

Mont Iboundji 1,575 m

History

Ruled by autocratic presidents since independence from France in 1960, Gabon introduced a multiparty system and a new constitution in the early 1990s that allowed for a more transparent electoral process and for reforms of governmental institutions. A small population, abundant natural resources, and considerable foreign support have helped make Gabon one of the more prosperous black African countries.

Independence 

17 August 1960 (from France)

National holiday 

Founding of the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), 12 March (1968)

Get in

By Air

Air Gabon has recently gone out of business. Air France flies from Paris to Libreville, and Royal Air Maroc flies from Casablanca to Gabon. Air Service also flys to Douala Cameroon, and Air Ethiopia flys from Adis Ababa. There are also on occasion flights to Brazzaville, Congo.

By car

There are several border crossings, though the roads are not good and a 4x4 is recommended.

Get around

By Air

Air Service has scheduled flights to Oyem, Makouko and Franceville/Mvengue. Air Nationale flies to Franceville/Mvengue. There are flights to Franceville/Mvengue every day of the week except Tuesdays and Thursdays.

By car

There are lots of paved roads in Gabon, if you are staying in one of the major citys a car should suffice. If you plan on venturing onto some of the unpaved roads outside the major cities a 4x4 is recommended.

By train

The Trans-Gabon railroad goes from Owendo to Franceville. The trip takes 12-18 hours, there is a train every day of the week.

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. Since Air Gabon closed down, these bus lines have greatly increased their routes.

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. River trips from the mouth of the big river at Port Gentil to Lambarene (Albert Schweitzer Hospital) are available every few days.

Talk

Languages 

French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi

Very few people speak english in Gabon, so some knowledge of French is an asset.

Buy

Eat

Drink

The cheapest local beer is Regab, it costs from 350-1000 CFA and comes in a 660ml bottle.

Sleep

We stayed at the Intercontinental--OK, but not fabulous. Short trip to/from airport.

Learn

Work

A visa and letter of invitation are required for foreigners working in Gabon.

Stay safe

Malaria is common, so visitors should take malaria pills and a mosquito net when travelling in Gabon.

Respect

Contact

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