Gabon travel guide

Travel Advice

Following elections on 26 August, there has been a military takeover of the government in Gabon. This may lead to protests and unrest and the situation could change quickly without warning. A curfew is currently in place each night. You should stay indoors during curfew hours. Constraints may be placed on travel at short notice. Be vigilant and avoid protests, gatherings and any military activity. See safety and security.

Some tourists, including British and other foreign nationals have been held by security officials and questioned about their reasons for travelling to Gabon. They have also been stopped from leaving the country and had their passports removed.

There is no in person consular assistance in Gabon, consular services are provided by British High Commission Yaoundé and as such the UK has a limited capacity to provide consular support in these instances.

Borders have reopened following the military takeover but travel may still be disrupted.

Check with your travel provider and follow advice from local authorities.

Protests in Gabon are not common but happen on occasion and may turn violent without warning, such was the case following the 2016 Presidential elections You should avoid all demonstrations and rallies and remain vigilant during periods of unrest. See Political situation.

On 13 February 2023, the Equatorial Guinea authorities confirmed it’s first-ever outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in Kie Ntem Province, northern Equatorial Guinea. Travel is restricted in and around this area. You should be extremely vigilant in and near Kie Ntem in Equatorial Guinea, and in the neighbouring areas of Ambam, Kye-Ossi and Olamze in southern Cameroon, and Ntem and Woleu in Gabon. Check with local authorities before travelling. You can find more information on Marburg virus disease from the World Health Organisation.

It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.

During periods of unrest, police checks may increase. Make sure you have all required documentation with you and avoid large gatherings.

Consular support is limited in Gabon. However, the British High Commission in Yaoundé, Cameroon can provide consular support to British nationals. See Consular assistance

Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Gabon, attacks can’t be ruled out. See Terrorism

Coronavirus travel health

Check the latest information on risk from COVID-19 for Gabon on the TravelHealthPro website

See the TravelHealthPro website for further advice on travel abroad and reducing spread of respiratory viruses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Be prepared for your plans to change

No travel is risk-free during COVID-19. Countries may further restrict travel or bring in new rules at short notice, for example due to a new COVID-19 variant. Check with your travel company or airline for any transport changes which may delay your journey home.

Plan ahead and make sure you:

• can access money
• understand what your insurance will cover
• can make arrangements to extend your stay and be away for longer than planned

Healthcare in Gabon

For contact details for English speaking doctors visit our list of healthcare providers.

Your emotional and mental wellbeing is important. Read guidance on how to look after your mental wellbeing and mental health

View Health for further details on healthcare in Gabon

See also the guidance on healthcare if you’re waiting to return to the UK.

Finance

For information on financial support you can access whilst abroad, visit our financial assistance guidance.

Help and support

If you need urgent consular assistance, you can contact the British High Commission Yaoundé on +442070085000 / +237 222220545.

The High Commission cannot provide further information or advice about departure options over the phone. This page will be updated when UK and commercial departure options become available. To get the latest information, sign up for travel advice email alerts.

Further information

For further information and to keep up to date, you should also check the Government of Gabon website.

Crime

Most visits by British nationals are trouble-free. However, there have been incidents of robbery, armed attacks and rape in the past. You should:

• take sensible personal security precautions and maintain a high level of vigilance in public places.
• avoid displaying valuables like cameras, smart phones or jewellery.
• avoid isolated or poorer areas of towns and walking alone at night.
• be cautious on quiet or isolated beaches in and around Libreville, and avoid them altogether at night.

Taxis in Gabonese cities operate like buses, picking up new passengers while there is still room in the car. They often take indirect routes. There have been reports of violent assaults and robberies on taxi passengers.

• only use authorised taxis and preferably book one from a reputable company or through a restaurant or hotel.

There have been reports of car-jackings in Libreville. You’re advised to:

• keep your car windows closed and doors locked if you are travelling at night.
• don’t stop to pick up strangers.
• don’t resist car-jackers. An immobiliser that operates after the vehicle has been driven a short distance or a tracking device may help with the recovery of your vehicle.

Detention of tourists

Some tourists have been held and questioned about their reasons for travelling to Gabon following the military takeover. Some tourists have also been stopped from leaving Gabon and have had their passports removed. Current political sensitivities mean that the authorities may treat tourists with heightened scrutiny. The British High Commission in Yaoundé has limited capacity to provide consular support in these instances. Check with your travel provider and follow advice from local authorities.

Road travel

Road conditions in the centre of Libreville are predominantly good but are poor in most local inland areas 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 four-wheel drive vehicle. Avoid travelling by road at night. Police checkpoints are common; you may be asked to show your passport, driving licence or vehicle registration documents.

Air travel

The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the EU. British Government employees don’t use domestic flights run by Gabonese airline companies unless this is unavoidable.

Sea travel

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

Political situation

Following elections on 26 August, there has been a military takeover in Gabon. This may lead to protests and unrest and the situation could change quickly without warning. A curfew is currently in place each night. Some tourists have been held and questioned about their reasons for travelling to Gabon and have been prevented from leaving the country following confiscation of passports. Follow the advice from local authorities. Remain vigilant, stay indoors where possible and avoid protests, gatherings and any military activity.

Consular assistance

Consular support may be limited in Gabon. However, the British High Commission in Yaoundé, Cameroon or Honorary Consul in Libreville can provide consular support to British nationals.

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

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. You should remain vigilant at all times.

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

Penalties for the use and possession of drugs are severe and usually include a prison sentence.

On 30 June 2020, consensual same-sex sexual relations was decriminalised. Gabon remains a conservative society and discrimination can be a problem for those open about their sexual identity. Same-sex marriage isn’t recognised in Gabon. See our information and advice page for the LGBT community before you travel.

Taking photographs of military sites, the airport, the Presidency and government buildings is forbidden.

This page reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British Citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

Borders have reopened following the military takeover but travel may still be disrupted. The airport is also open, with flights resumed. Please contact your travel provider before travelling, and follow instructions of local authorities.

The authorities in Gabon set and enforce entry rules. If you’re unsure how Gabon’s entry requirements apply to you, contact its UK embassy, high commission or consulate.

All travellers

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Gabon.

Check your passport and travel documents before you travel

Visas

British passport holders visiting Gabon for less than 30 days do not require a visa to enter the country. Those staying for longer than 30 days must apply for a visa before travelling. For full information on the visa application process, visit the website of the Gabonese Embassy in the UK.

If you’re arriving into Libreville International Airport you can submit an online visa application at least 72 hours before the date of travel and collect your visa on arrival. You will need to show a letter of invitation during this process. Payment for an e-visa is made at Libreville International Airport in cash, Euros or US Dollars. For more information, visit the website of the Gabonese Embassy in the UK and the Gabonese government’s immigration portal.

Passport validity

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of entry into Gabon.

Yellow fever certificate requirements

Check whether you need a yellow fever certificate by visiting the National Travel Health Network and Centre’s TravelHealthPro website.

On 13 February 2023, the Equatorial Guinea authorities confirmed it’s first-ever outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in Kie Ntem Province, northern Equatorial Guinea. Travel is restricted in and around this area. You should be extremely vigilant in and near Kie Ntem in Equatorial Guinea, and in the neighbouring areas of Ambam, Kye-Ossi and Olamze in southern Cameroon, and Ntem and Woleu in Gabon. Check with local authorities before travelling. You can find more information on Marburg virus disease from the World Health Organisation.

If you have a health condition, or you are pregnant, you may need specialist healthcare abroad. Check whether your destination country can provide the healthcare you may need and ensure you have appropriate travel insurance for unexpected medical evacuation or local treatment.

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website. Each country-specific page has information on vaccine recommendations, any current health risks or outbreaks, and factsheets with information on staying healthy abroad. Guidance is also available from NHS (Scotland) on the FitForTravel website.

General information on travel vaccinations and a travel health checklist is available on the NHS website. You may then wish to contact your health adviser or pharmacy for advice on other preventive measures and managing any pre-existing medical conditions while you’re abroad.

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or purchased in the UK can be different in other countries. If you’re travelling with prescription or over-the-counter medicine, read this guidance from NaTHNaC on best practice when travelling with medicines. For further information on the legal status of a specific medicine, you’ll need to contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country or territory you’re travelling to.

While travel can be enjoyable, it can sometimes be challenging. There are clear links between mental and physical health, so looking after yourself during travel and when abroad is important. Information on travelling with mental health conditions is available in our guidance page. Further information is also available from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC).

Other health risks

UK health authorities have classified Gabon as having a risk of Zika virus transmission. For information and advice about the risks associated with Zika virus, visit the National Travel Health Network and Centre website.

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 exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS.

Medical treatment

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.

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 1300 or 1399 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment. 

Credit cards are not widely accepted, except at hotels. Due to the high incidence of credit card fraud, you should avoid using your credit card outside major hotel chains. Be vigilant when withdrawing cash from ATMs.

Foreign travel checklist

Read our foreign travel checklist to help you plan for your trip abroad and stay safe while you’re there.

Travel safety

The FCDO travel advice helps you make your own decisions about foreign travel. Your safety is our main concern, but we can’t provide tailored advice for individual trips. If you’re concerned about whether or not it’s safe for you to travel, you should read the travel advice for the country or territory you’re travelling to, together with information from other sources you’ve identified, before making your own decision on whether to travel. Only you can decide whether it’s safe for you to travel.

When we judge the level of risk to British nationals in a particular place has become unacceptably high, we’ll state on the travel advice page for that country or territory that we advise against all or all but essential travel. Read more about how the FCDO assesses and categorises risk in foreign travel advice.

Our crisis overseas page suggests additional things you can do before and during foreign travel to help you stay safe.

Refunds and cancellations

If you wish to cancel or change a holiday that you’ve booked, you should contact your travel company. The question of refunds and cancellations is a matter for you and your travel company. Travel companies make their own decisions about whether or not to offer customers a refund. Many of them use our travel advice to help them reach these decisions, but we do not instruct travel companies on when they can or can’t offer a refund to their customers.

For more information about your rights if you wish to cancel a holiday, visit the Citizen’s Advice Bureau website. For help resolving problems with a flight booking, visit the website of the Civil Aviation Authority. For questions about travel insurance, contact your insurance provider and if you’re not happy with their response, you can complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Registering your travel details with us

We’re no longer asking people to register with us before travel. Our foreign travel checklist and crisis overseas page suggest things you can do before and during foreign travel to plan your trip and stay safe.

Previous versions of FCDO travel advice

If you’re looking for a previous version of the FCDO travel advice, visit the National Archives website. Versions prior to 2 September 2020 will be archived as FCO travel advice. If you can’t find the page you’re looking for there, send the Travel Advice Team a request.

Further help

If you’re a British national and you have a question about travelling abroad that isn’t covered in our foreign travel advice or elsewhere on GOV.UK, you can submit an enquiry, or contact us on Twitter or Facebook. We’re not able to provide tailored advice for specific trips.