gabon

No restrictions in this travel advice

Avoid all but essential travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all but essential travel to whole country

Avoid all travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all travel to whole country

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• General
 

• There is no British Embassy in Gabon. In an emergency, you can obtain consular assistance from the British Honorary Consul in Libreville. Otherwise, all enquiries should be made to the British High Commission in Yaoundé, Cameroon.  See General.
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• There have been attacks of armed robbery on commercial shipping vessels in the Gulf of Guinea. Extreme caution should be exercised in this area when travelling in coastal waters. We advise mariners to take appropriate precautions.
  
  
• The Africa Cup of Nations football tournament is taking place in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea between 21 January and 12 February.  The final will be held in Libreville.  Matches will also be held in Franceville.  As with all international sporting events, common sense precautions should be adopted and be aware of heightened security presence and checks in and around the match venues.
  
  
• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See - General Insurance.

Safety and Security - Terrorism
There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. See our Terrorism abroad page.

Safety and Security - Crime
Crime is increasing, particularly in Libreville and Port-Gentil, including incidents of robbery, armed attacks and rapes. You should take sensible personal security precautions and maintain a high level of vigilance in public places. We recommend that you avoid carrying valuables or wearing jewellery in public. You should avoid isolated or poorer areas of towns and walking alone at night. We advise you to be cautious on quiet or isolated beaches in and around Libreville, and to avoid them altogether at night. Use taxis from recognised sources only, such as hotels. Do not hail one from the street.

Following a number of car-jackings within Libreville we recommend that you keep your car windows closed and car doors locked if you are travelling at night. Do not stop to pick up strangers. To avoid the risk of serious injury do not resist car-jackers. You may find that an immobiliser that operates after the vehicle has been driven a short distance or a tracking device can help with the recovery of your vehicle. For more general information see our Victims of crime abroad page.


Safety and Security - Local Travel
Road conditions are poor in most local 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.  You should avoid travelling by road at night.  Police checkpoints are common, where you may be asked to show your passport, driving licence or vehicle registration documents.  

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Air Travel
The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community.  You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel - European Commission Transport - Air.  British Government employees do not use domestic flights run by Gabonese airline companies unless this is unavoidable.  You should bear this in mind when making your travel plans.

For more general information see Airline security.

Safety and Security – Local Travel – Sea Travel
There have been attacks of armed robbery on commercial shipping vessels in the Gulf of Guinea. Extreme caution should be exercised in these areas when travelling in coastal waters. We advise mariners to take appropriate precautions.

Safety and Security - Political Situation
Gabon Country Profile

There had been unrest in some areas following the election results in September 2009 but the situation stabilised across the country. Transport and other infrastructure has continued to function normally.

You should avoid demonstrations, rallies and large public gatherings; even peaceful demonstrations have the potential to escalate. We advise British nationals in Gabon to monitor this travel advice regularly.

Penalties for the use and possession of drugs are severe and usually include a prison sentence. Homosexuality is not widely accepted in central African society and some sexual acts between members of the same sex are illegal. Taking photographs of military sites and government buildings is forbidden. See our Your trip page.

Entry Requirements - Visas
British nationals require a visa to visit Gabon.  To apply for a visa and to obtain further information on entry requirements, please contact the Gabonese Embassy in London. 

Entry Requirements - Passport validity
You must hold a valid passport to enter Gabon. Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of entry into Gabon.


Entry Requirements - Yellow Fever Certificate
You will be asked to produce a yellow fever vaccination certificate on arrival in the country.  Failure to do so may result in a further vaccination being administered, for which a charge is made.

Entry Requirements - Travelling with children
For information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Gabonese Embassy in London.

Medical facilities are limited, particularly in rural areas.

You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks.  If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Gabon you should seek immediate medical attention.

In the 2010 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 43,000 adults aged 15 or over in Gabon were living with HIV; the prevalence percentage was estimated at around 5.2% of the adult population compared to the prevalence percentage in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. See out HIV and AIDS page. 

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Gabon and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47. 

For more general health information see our Travel health page. 

General - Insurance
You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. Check for any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see our Travel insurance page.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this see our When things go wrong page.

General - British Representation
There is no British Embassy in Gabon. In an emergency, you can obtain consular assistance from the British Honorary Consul in Libreville:

Mr David Harwood
Honorary Consul
Libreville, Gabon
Tel: + 241 76 9899 (office hours)
Mob:+ 241 0 626 39 94
Email: davidharwood@mac.com

The nearest British diplomatic mission is in Yaoundé, Cameroon (see contact details).

General - Consular registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. If you intend to stay in Gabon for more than one month you are encouraged to register with the British High Commission in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

General – Money
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. Remain vigilant when withdrawing cash from ATMs.