Gabon in March

March weather, activities, events & insider tips

March Weather in Gabon

27°C (81°F) High Temp

23°C (73°F) Low Temp

180 mm (7.1 inches) Rainfall

85% Humidity

Is March Right for You?

Advantages

Waterfalls at absolute peak flow - Kongou Falls and Kinguele Falls are thunderously magnificent, creating rainbow mists impossible to see in dry season
Wildlife viewing reaches its zenith as animals concentrate around remaining water sources, making Loango National Park prime for forest elephant, Buffalo, and hippo sightings
Lowest accommodation prices of the year - luxury ecolodges offer 30-40% discounts during rainy season, making premium experiences accessible
Lush forest canopy creates incredible birdwatching conditions with 600+ species active, including the rare African grey parrots nesting in March

Considerations

Daily torrential downpours 2-4pm make outdoor activities impossible during peak afternoon hours - you'll spend significant time waiting out storms
Many remote forest roads become impassable, limiting access to interior locations like Ivindo National Park's deeper sections
High humidity 85%+ and temperatures feeling like 35°C (95°F) create exhausting conditions for hiking and extended outdoor activities

Best Activities in March

Loango National Park Wildlife Viewing

March is peak season for wildlife concentration as animals gather near permanent water sources. Morning game drives 6-11am offer spectacular elephant, Buffalo, and hippo viewing before afternoon rains. The park's famous surfing hippos are most active during wet season. Forest elephants emerge from deeper jungle to coastal areas, creating unique beach elephant encounters impossible other times of year.

Booking Tip: Book 2-3 weeks ahead through certified park guides. Morning slots (6-11am) cost 25,000-35,000 CFA. All-day packages include storm shelter lunch breaks. Look for operators with 4WD vehicles and rain gear provisions. Check current availability in booking section below.

Libreville Cultural Center Experiences

March rains make indoor cultural activities ideal. The National Museum's ethnographic collections shine during wet season when outdoor sightseeing is limited. Local art galleries host March exhibitions, and traditional music performances move to covered venues. The covered this destination becomes a fascinating cultural immersion during afternoon downpours.

Booking Tip: No advance booking needed for most venues. Museum entry 2,000-5,000 CFA. Cultural performances typically 5,000-8,000 CFA evening tickets. Guided cultural tours cost 15,000-25,000 CFA for half-day experiences. See current cultural tour options in booking section below.

Waterfalls Photography Tours

March transforms Gabon's waterfalls into roaring spectacles. Kongou Falls reaches peak volume with 50 m (164 ft) drops creating massive spray clouds perfect for dramatic photography. Kinguele Falls offers easier access and swimming opportunities in expanded pools. Early morning 7-10am provides best lighting before afternoon storms.

Booking Tip: Book through licensed nature guides 1-2 weeks ahead. Full-day waterfall tours cost 30,000-50,000 CFA including transport and park fees. Bring waterproof camera equipment - guides provide basic rain protection. Check current waterfall tour options in booking section below.

Lambaréné Albert Schweitzer Hospital Tours

Historical and medical tourism thrives during rainy season when indoor educational experiences are preferable. The preserved 1913 hospital complex offers fascinating insights into colonial medical history. March timing allows comfortable indoor exploration while rain patters on historic tin roofs, adding atmospheric authenticity to the experience.

Booking Tip: Contact hospital administration 1 week ahead for guided tours. Standard tours 8,000-12,000 CFA per person including English-speaking guide. Duration 2-3 hours with covered walkways protecting from rain. Medical history enthusiasts should book specialized 4-hour tours for 20,000 CFA.

Coastal Turtle Nesting Observations

March marks peak leatherback turtle nesting season along Gabon's 800 km (497 mile) coastline. Mayumba National Park offers world-class turtle viewing during night tours. Wet season creates ideal beach conditions for nesting, with reduced human activity increasing success rates. Night tours 8pm-2am avoid daytime rains entirely.

Booking Tip: Essential to book 2-3 weeks ahead through park-certified guides. Night turtle tours cost 25,000-40,000 CFA including park fees and transport. Tours run 8pm-2am avoiding afternoon storms. Bring headlamp with red filter and waterproof footwear. See current turtle tour availability in booking section below.

Indoor Market and Artisan Workshops

March rains drive visitors to discover Gabon's incredible covered markets and traditional craft workshops. Libreville's Mont-Bouët Market becomes a maze of traditional textiles, wood carvings, and local foods during afternoon downpours. Artisan workshops offer hands-on mask carving and textile dyeing experiences that capitalize on indoor time.

Booking Tip: No advance booking for market visits. Workshop experiences cost 15,000-25,000 CFA for 3-4 hour sessions including materials. Best visited during afternoon rains 2-5pm when most crowded with locals seeking shelter. Look for workshops offering traditional Fang mask carving or textile dying techniques.

March Events & Festivals

March 8-15

Fête de la Femme (International Women's Day Celebrations)

March 8th transforms into week-long celebrations across Gabon featuring traditional dance performances, women's cooperatives showcasing crafts, and cultural exhibitions. Libreville hosts the largest festivities with parades, music, and food festivals that continue rain or shine under covered venues.

Mid March

Forest Elephant Research Season Opening

March marks when international researchers return to Loango and Odzala-Kokoua for peak wet season elephant behavioral studies. Visitors can join researcher-led educational tours offering unprecedented insights into forest elephant ecology during their most active period.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight waterproof rain jacket - daily 2-4pm downpours dump 20-30 mm (0.8-1.2 inches) in 30 minutes, soaking anything not covered

Quick-dry hiking pants in synthetic fabric - cotton stays wet for hours in 85% humidity conditions

Waterproof day pack covers - standard backpacks offer zero protection against Gabon's heavy tropical downpours

SPF 50+ broad spectrum sunscreen - UV index of 9 burns exposed skin in 15 minutes despite cloud cover

Closed-toe water shoes with grip - muddy forest trails become slippery death traps, regular sneakers provide no traction

Lightweight long-sleeve shirts in light colors - protection from insects and sun while staying cool in 27°C (81°F) high temperatures

Antimalarial medication started 1-2 weeks before travel - wet season dramatically increases mosquito populations

Silica gel packets for camera equipment - humidity destroys electronics, pack extra moisture absorbers for phones and cameras

Fast-charging portable battery pack - frequent power outages during storms drain devices when you need GPS most

Lightweight microfiber towel - regular towels never dry in 85% humidity, staying damp and developing mildew smell

Insider Knowledge

Local Gabonese avoid scheduling anything important between 2-4pm in March - even business meetings pause for daily deluges, so plan accordingly and embrace the rhythm

Book accommodations with backup power generators - March storms cause frequent outages lasting 2-6 hours, luxury ecolodges with generators charge premium but worth every CFA

Carry 500 and 1000 CFA notes in waterproof wallet - many vendors can't make change for 5000+ CFA notes, and soggy currency gets rejected

Learn basic Fang phrases beyond French - in remote areas like Ivindo, local languages open doors French cannot, especially with elderly community members who remember pre-colonial times

Avoid These Mistakes

Booking outdoor activities after 2pm - afternoon storms are predictable as clockwork, yet tourists constantly schedule forest hikes during peak downpour hours and waste entire afternoons sheltering under trees

Packing only flip-flops for footwear - muddy forest trails and rocky waterfall approaches require closed-toe shoes with traction, flip-flops cause dangerous slips and cuts

Expecting reliable internet connectivity - wet season storms knock out cellular towers regularly, download offline maps and essential information before venturing outside Libreville