Orientation briefing in Gabon

Gabon, a sparsely populated country known for its dense rainforests and vast petroleum reserves, is one of the most prosperous and stable countries in central Africa. Approximately 40 ethnic groups are represented, the largest of which is the Fang, a group that covers the northern third of Gabon and expands north into Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon. From about the early 1300s, various kingdoms emerged in present-day Gabon and the surrounding area, including the Kingdoms of Loango and Orungu. Because most early Bantu languages spoken in these kingdoms did not have a written form, much of Gabon's early history was lost over time. Portuguese traders who arrived in the mid-1400s gave the area its name of Gabon. At that time, indigenous trade networks began to engage with European traders, exchanging goods such as ivory and wood. For a century beginning in the 1760s, trade came to focus mostly on enslaved people. While many groups in Gabon participated in the slave trade, the Fang were a notable exception. As the slave trade declined in the late 1800s, France colonized the country and directed a widespread extraction of Gabonese resources. Anti-colonial rhetoric by Gabon’s educated elites increased significantly in the early 1900s, but no widespread rebellion materialized. French decolonization after World War II led to the country’s independence in 1960.

Within a year of independence, the government changed from a parliamentary to a presidential system, and Leon M’BA won the first presidential election in 1961. El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba was M’BA’s vice president and assumed the presidency after M’BA’s death in 1967. BONGO went on to dominate the country's political scene for four decades (1967-2009). In 1968, he declared Gabon a single-party state and created the still-dominant Parti Democratique Gabonais (PDG). In the early 1990s, he reintroduced a multiparty system under a new constitution in response to growing political opposition. He was reelected by wide margins in 1995, 1998, 2002, and 2005 against a divided opposition and amidst allegations of fraud. After BONGO's death in 2009, a new election brought his son, Ali BONGO Ondimba, to power, and he was reelected in 2016. He won a third term in the August 2023 election but was overthrown in a military coup a few days later. Gen. Brice OLIGUI Nguema led a military group called the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions that arrested BONGO, canceled the election results, and dissolved state institutions. In September 2023, OLIGUI was sworn in as transitional president of Gabon.

Presidential elections will be held on 12 April, 2025, in Gabon. We do not expect significant disruption, however British Nationals should continue to exercise vigilance in crowded areas and near polling stations, and avoid rallies.

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

Before you travel

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

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety 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.

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

• Travel Aware on Instagram

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.    

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe 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.  

Political situation

Presidential elections will be held on 12 April, 2025, in Gabon. We do not expect significant disruption, however British Nationals should continue to exercise vigilance in crowded areas and near polling stations, and avoid rallies.

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 tourists being 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:  

• check your route for any hazards or disruptions before you set off   
• 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  

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. 

Driving conditions in Gabon 

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 information on drivers being stopped by police (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.       

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 vaccine recommendations for Gabon
• see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page

See what health risks you’ll face in Gabon, including:

• yellow fever
• malaria and dengue
• Zika virus

HIV and AIDS 

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 best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.

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.  

Travel and mental health

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