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Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:Ìý

• ²õ±ð±ðÌýgeneral advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• ²õ±ð±ðÌýgeneral advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read aboutÌýsafety 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.

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This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen� passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Gabon’s current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Gabon set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Gabon High Commission on 020 7823 9986 or email [email protected].

Passport validity requirements

Your passport must have an ‘expiry date� that is at least 6 months after the date you arrive in Gabon.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Visa requirements

You must have a visa to enter Gabon.

Applying for a visa

You must apply for a visa before travelling. For more information on the visa application process, contact the Gabon High Commission in the UK on 020 7823 9986 or email [email protected].

The most reliable way to get a visa is through the High Commission in the UK.

For business travel, you must provide a letter of invitationÌýfrom an individual or company in Gabon explaining the reason for your trip.

For tourist travel, you must provide a hotel booking or letter from your hotel confirming your stay.

Vaccine requirements

To enter Gabon, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination.

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see .

Customs rules

There are strict rules about . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.ÌýÌýÌýÌý

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Gabon

Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Gabon, attacks cannot be ruled out.ÌýÌý

Political situation

Protests and unrest can occur without warning and the situation could change quickly. During periods of unrest, police checks may increase. Make sure you have all required documentation with you and avoid large gatherings.

Borders have reopened following the military takeover in August 2023, but some disruption may happen. Contact your travel provider for more information and follow instructions from local authorities.

You should:

• follow the advice of the local authorities and your travel provider
• monitor local media and follow any curfew restrictions
• remain vigilant and stay indoors where possible
• avoid protests or large gatherings and any military activity

Detention of tourists

Political and security tensions following the August 2023 military coup resulted in some touristsÌýbeing held and questioned about their reasons for travelling to Gabon. Some individuals had their passports taken and were briefly prevented from leaving the country. While the situation has stabilised, current political and security sensitivities mean that the authorities may treat tourists with heightened scrutiny.

Protests

Protests in Gabon are not common but happen on occasion and may turn violent without warning. You should avoid all demonstrations and rallies and remain vigilant during periods of unrest.

Crime

There have been incidents of robbery, armed attacks and rape in Gabon.

You can take steps to reduce your risk and help protect your belongings, including:

• avoiding remote areas, particularly after dark
• being cautious on quiet or isolated beaches around Libreville, and avoiding them at night
• not wearing expensive jewellery or carrying large amounts of cash
• keeping smartphones and other electronic items out of sight
• keeping car windows shut and doors locked

Taxis

Taxis in Gabonese cities operate like buses, picking up more passengers if there is room in the car. They often take indirect routes. There have been reports of violent assaults and robberies on taxi passengers. Use licensed taxis, and ask to book the taxi exclusively so it does not pick up other passengers. Check with your tour operator or travel provider if they have a taxi service you can use.

Carjacking

There have been reports of carjackings in Libreville. If you’re a victim of an attack, stay calm and surrender your valuables and your vehicle if asked. Do not resist.

To reduce your risk: Ìý

• check your route for any hazards or disruptions before you set offÌýÌýÌý
• keep to main roads and park in well-lit areas
• keep your doors locked and windows closed while driving, especially when stopped at junctions
• avoid being stationary inside your vehicle for long periods
• check your car is locked when you leave it
• keep valuables out of sight, ideally in the boot
• do not pick up strangers

Money and credit card fraud

Credit cards are not widely accepted except at hotels. Credit card fraud is common outside the major hotel chains. Be alert when paying by card and withdrawing cash from ATMs.

Laws and cultural differences

Personal ID

By law, you need to be able to show proof of your identity to the authorities if asked. Carry your passport and visa, or a certified copy of the photo and visa pages of your passport.

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

Possession of drugs is a serious offence and punishment can be severe, including a prison sentence.

Using cameras in secure areas

Photography of government and military buildings and airports is illegal and may lead to arrest.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex sexual activity is not illegal. There are no laws against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. Gabon remains a conservative society and discrimination can be a problem for those open about their sexual identity. Same-sex marriage is not recognised in Gabon.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Transport risks

Road travel Ìý

If you are planning to drive in Gabon, see information on driving abroad.

You’ll need to have both the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) and your UK driving licence with you in the car.Ìý

Driving conditions in GabonÌý

Road conditions in the centre of Libreville are generally good. Conditions in local inland areas are poor and driving can be hazardous. During the rainy season from October to mid-December and mid-February to May, many roads are passable only with a 4-wheel-drive vehicle. Avoid travelling by road at night as many roads are unlit.

Official checkpoints are common. Police will ask for your passport, driving licence and vehicle registration documents. See more (in French). Your car should also have a:

• first aid kit
• fire extinguisher
• catalytic converter
• warning triangle
• torch
• set of wheel chocks

Air travel

British government employees do not use domestic flights run by Gabonese airline companies unless this is unavoidable.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý

Sea travel

Pirates have carried out armed attacks on commercial shipping vessels in the Gulf of Guinea. Take extreme care when travelling in coastal waters.

If you’re travelling by sea, read about the regional risks at sea.

Before you travel check that:

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
• you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number

Call 117, 1300, 011760873 or 1333 and ask for an ambulance. Operators may only speak French.

These numbers are not always reliable. Emergency help can be limited.

Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Vaccine recommendations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before your trip:

• check the latest
• see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the

See , including:

• yellow fever
• malaria and dengue
• Zika virus

HIV and AIDSÌý

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) estimates that around 44,000 adults aged 15 or over in Gabon are living with HIV; the prevalence percentage is estimated at 3.8% of the adult population compared with the prevalence percentage in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should take normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS.

Medication

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

Read .

Healthcare in Gabon

Medical facilities are limited, particularly in rural areas. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

FCDO has a list of medical providers in Gabon where some staff will speak English. Ìý

Travel and mental health

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also .

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.

Emergency services in GabonÌýÌý

Ambulance: 117. Depending on your mobile network, call: 1300, 0174 or 0880 for SOS Médecins. Operators may only speak French. ÌýÌý

Fire: 177

Police: 177

None of these numbers are guaranteed to be reliable. Emergency help can be limited in some places that are hard to reach

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speakingÌý,Ìý ²¹²Ô»åÌý in Gabon
• dealing with aÌýdeath in Gabon
• ²ú±ð¾±²Ô²µÌýarrested or imprisoned in Gabon
• getting help if you’re aÌývictim of crime
• what to do if you’reÌýin hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

°ä´Ç²Ô³Ù²¹³¦³Ù¾±²Ô²µÌýFCDOÌý

Help abroad �

SeeÌýÌýincluding in an emergency.Ìý

Help in the UKÌýÌý

You can call�FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad. �

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours) �

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