With vast tropical rainforests teeming with wildlife, long deserted beaches, and the multicultural charm and nightlife of the capital Libreville, Gabon can offer a very unique and contrasted African experience. This oil- and mineral-rich Central African country hosts a small population but has become one of Africa's wealthiest countries. It also has a great, although not yet fully developed potential for nature-based tourism.
Jungle-clad country located in Central Africa right at the Equator, Gabon borders the Atlantic Ocean in the West, Republic of the Congo in the East and South, and Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon in the North. Gabonese people are mainly of Bantu origin, but there are also significant numbers of French people and indigenous Pygmies. Gabon hosts more than forty different ethnic groups with their own languages and cultures, the largest of which are The Fang and the Bandjabi. French is the unifying language in Gabon, as some 80% of the population is able to speak it. The Gabonese capital Libreville has a significant foreign community.
The capital of Gabon, Libreville is also the biggest city and a major transportation hub in the country. Besides an international airport, this modern and clean capital has casinos and nightlife, as well as some museums and historic sights. Another town of particular interest in Gabon is Lambaréné, a small town in the middle of the tropical rainforests along the Ogooué river. It has a famous hospital founded by the Nobel Prize winner Albert Schweitzer.
Nature attractions. Of the 13 National Parks in Gabon, Lopé National Park is the most accessible as well as most popular one. This vast area of almost 5000 km² hosts elephants, buffaloes, a huge variety of birdlife, gorillas and many other primates, as well as developing tourist facilities. You can do a variety of tours there from gorilla walks to boat and jeep safaris. Another favorite place for ecotourism in Gabon is Loango National Park along the coast that has long deserted beaches as well as vast rainforests. Mayumba National Park has also excellent beaches as well as whales, sea turtles and fishing villages. The impressive canyon area of Cirque de Léconi near the town of Franceville has a drier climate than elsewhere in Gabon and also some tourist services.
Traveling to Gabon is done mainly by air. There are flights to Gabon from a few European cities as well as from elsewhere in Central and West Africa. You can also cross the border to Gabon by train from Congo or by a minibus, a bush taxi or by your own four-wheel drive vehicle from all neighboring countries. There is also a ferry connection between Gabon and the island of São Tomé.
Local transportation. The fastest way to travel inside Gabon is by air.
Jungle-clad country located in Central Africa right at the Equator, Gabon borders the Atlantic Ocean in the West, Republic of the Congo in the East and South, and Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon in the North. Gabonese people are mainly of Bantu origin, but there are also significant numbers of French people and indigenous Pygmies. Gabon hosts more than forty different ethnic groups with their own languages and cultures, the largest of which are The Fang and the Bandjabi. French is the unifying language in Gabon, as some 80% of the population is able to speak it. The Gabonese capital Libreville has a significant foreign community.
Tourist attractions in Gabon: rainforests, wildlife, safaris, canyons and international capital
Gabon is predominantly an ecotourism destination. Tropical rainforests cover 85% of its surface, and there are also savannas, sandy beaches and coastal wetlands in Gabon with plenty of wildlife. Nature protection in Gabon is advanced in comparison to most countries, with more than 11% of the territory of Gabon being protected as National Parks.The capital of Gabon, Libreville is also the biggest city and a major transportation hub in the country. Besides an international airport, this modern and clean capital has casinos and nightlife, as well as some museums and historic sights. Another town of particular interest in Gabon is Lambaréné, a small town in the middle of the tropical rainforests along the Ogooué river. It has a famous hospital founded by the Nobel Prize winner Albert Schweitzer.
Nature attractions. Of the 13 National Parks in Gabon, Lopé National Park is the most accessible as well as most popular one. This vast area of almost 5000 km² hosts elephants, buffaloes, a huge variety of birdlife, gorillas and many other primates, as well as developing tourist facilities. You can do a variety of tours there from gorilla walks to boat and jeep safaris. Another favorite place for ecotourism in Gabon is Loango National Park along the coast that has long deserted beaches as well as vast rainforests. Mayumba National Park has also excellent beaches as well as whales, sea turtles and fishing villages. The impressive canyon area of Cirque de Léconi near the town of Franceville has a drier climate than elsewhere in Gabon and also some tourist services.
Gabon travel information and practical tips
Gabon has a hot and humid tropical climate with a bit cooler summer months from June to September. There is also a drier season from May to September, although rainfall in all seasons tends to come mostly during the night.Traveling to Gabon is done mainly by air. There are flights to Gabon from a few European cities as well as from elsewhere in Central and West Africa. You can also cross the border to Gabon by train from Congo or by a minibus, a bush taxi or by your own four-wheel drive vehicle from all neighboring countries. There is also a ferry connection between Gabon and the island of São Tomé.
Local transportation. The fastest way to travel inside Gabon is by air.
Photo: Jefe Le Gran, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
There are regular flights between Libreville and the other major towns in Gabon, such as Port-Gentil, Lambaréné and Franceville. Minibuses are the most popular means of public transport in Gabon. There are also private bush taxis and a railway connection called Transgabonais that runs from close to Libreville to Franceville in the Southeast of the country. There are boat connections between the coastal towns in Gabon and along the Ogooué River that runs across the country. Rental cars are available in Libreville but driving is not the best way to get around the country as there are few paved roads outside the main cities.
Visitor services. In general, Gabon is quite an expensive destination. There are hotels and restaurants available in all major towns and the most popular national parks in Gabon have lodges and a few hotels. The capital city Libreville and a few other towns have developed a good infrastructure but traveling around the predominantly rural Gabon is not easy. English is understood by only a few people in Gabon, so French skills are essential for independent travel.
Safety & restrictions. The local people in Gabon are friendly and crime is not a major problem. However, you should be careful when walking in the cities after dark. Wildlife might pose a potential risk in some rural areas in Gabon, so you should not venture out in the wild without a local guide. Note also that photographing around military sites and government buildings is prohibited in Gabon.
Short history of Gabon
Gabon was first inhabited at least 400.000 years ago by the Pygmy people, that were later largely replaced by migration of Bantu tribes. The first Europeans to arrive in Gabon were the Portuguese in the 15th century. The French began to explore the inland areas of Gabon in late 1800s, and Gabon became a colony of France in 1885. The territories of French Equatorial Africa, including Gabon, became independent in 1960. The second president of Gabon, Omar Bongo ruled the country since 1967 until his death in 2009. Oil was discovered offshore the coast of Gabon in the early 1970s, which, together with abundant timber and mineral resources, has helped Gabon to become a relatively prosperous nation.hint See also these nearby destinations: Lope National Park
