Things to Do in Gabon

About Gabon

Where pristine rainforests meet untouched Atlantic coastline, Gabon stands as Africa's last Eden - a place where elephants still roam freely through virgin beaches and ancient traditions thrive alongside modern progress. This equatorial nation holds the distinction of protecting over 11% of its territory as national parkland, creating a sanctuary where nature exists as it has for millennia, undisturbed and raw in its magnificence.

Travel Tips

• Arrange your transport through your hotel or a reputable tour operator, as Gabon has limited public transportation options and taxis can be unreliable - most visitors rely on pre-arranged 4x4 vehicles to navigate between cities and national parks.

• Carry enough cash in CFA francs (the local currency), as credit cards are rarely accepted outside of high-end hotels in Libreville, and ATMs can be scarce and unreliable in other parts of the country.

• Schedule your visit between June and August (dry season) to best experience Gabon's national parks and see wildlife like gorillas and elephants, as heavy rains during other months can make roads impassable and wildlife viewing difficult.

• Obtain your yellow fever vaccination certificate well before travel, as it's mandatory for entry into Gabon, and consider taking malaria prophylaxis as the disease is prevalent throughout the country.

When to Visit

When to Visit Gabon

The optimal time to visit Gabon is during the long dry season from June to September, when temperatures hover between 24-28°C (75-82°F) and humidity drops to more tolerable levels, making it ideal for wildlife viewing as animals congregate around water sources in parks like Loango and Ivindo, and for gorilla trekking in the dense rainforests. The short dry season from mid-December to mid-January offers similar conditions with temperatures around 26-30°C (79-86°F) and is perfect for witnessing sea turtle nesting on Gabon's Atlantic beaches, though you'll contend with higher accommodation prices during the Christmas-New Year period. Avoid the intense rainy seasons—the long rains from October to mid-December and especially the torrential short rains from February to May—when daily temperatures reach 28-32°C (82-90°F) with suffocating 90%+ humidity, roads become impassable quagmires, and forest trails are treacherous, though budget travelers can find significantly discounted lodging during these months. Wildlife enthusiasts should specifically target July through September for humpback whale watching off Loango's coast, while August 17th marks Gabon's Independence Day with celebrations in Libreville featuring traditional Bwiti ceremonies and street festivals, adding cultural richness to your dry-season visit.