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The Basics
Entry requirements for Americans: US citizens must have a passport that is valid upon arrival in
Gabon. Holders of entry authorisation, issued to them by Gabonese
Immigration prior to their arrival in the country, can obtain a
visa on arrival. The visa fee is EUR 70, or equivalent in freely
convertible currency.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: British citizens must have a passport that is valid upon arrival
in Gabon. Holders of entry authorisation, issued to them by
Gabonese Immigration prior to their arrival in the country, can
obtain a visa on arrival. The visa fee is EUR 70, or equivalent in
freely convertible currency.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadian citizens must have a passport that is valid upon
arrival in Gabon. Holders of entry authorisation, issued to them by
Gabonese Immigration prior to their arrival in the country, can
obtain a visa on arrival. The visa fee is EUR 70, or equivalent in
freely convertible currency.
Entry requirements for Australians: Australian citizens must have a passport that is valid upon
arrival in Gabon. Holders of entry authorisation, issued to them by
Gabonese Immigration prior to their arrival in the country, can
obtain a visa on arrival. The visa fee is EUR 70, or equivalent in
freely convertible currency.
Entry requirements for South Africans: South African citizens must have a passport that is valid upon
arrival in Gabon. Holders of entry authorisation, issued to them by
Gabonese Immigration prior to their arrival in the country, can
obtain a visa on arrival. The visa fee is EUR 70, or equivalent in
freely convertible currency.
Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealand citizens must have a passport that is valid upon
arrival in Gabon. Holders of entry authorisation, issued to them by
Gabonese Immigration prior to their arrival in the country, can
obtain a visa on arrival. The visa fee is EUR 70, or equivalent in
freely convertible currency.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish citizens must have a passport that is valid upon arrival
in Gabon. Holders of entry authorisation, issued to them by
Gabonese Immigration prior to their arrival in the country, can
obtain a visa on arrival. The visa fee is EUR 70, or equivalent in
freely convertible currency.
Passport/Visa Note: All visitors to Gabon must be in possession of a hotel voucher
or a letter of invitation issued by their sponsor, a return/onward
ticket, and the necessary travel documentation for their next
destination; OR, an Autorisation d'entree au Gabon, issued prior to
their arrival in the country, by the Direction Generale de la
Documentation et de l'Immigration in Gabon. Note that a yellow
fever vaccination is required to enter Gabon. NOTE: It is highly
recommended that your passport has at least six months validity
remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel
destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to
those stated by travel agents and official sources.
Travel Health: Tap water should not be drunk unless it has been boiled, and ice
and uncooked fruits should also be avoided. Yellow fever
vaccinations are required for all visitors over the age of one.
Gabon is a malaria zone, and either mefloquine or doxycycline is
recommended. There have been recent outbreaks of chikungunya fever
and dengue fever, both transmitted by mosquito bites. No vaccine is
available for either disease, but stringent anti-insect measures
are recommended. Healthcare in Gabon is poor, and traveller's
insurance is a good idea. Many doctors will expect cash up front,
regardless of insurance.
Safety Information: Crime is an increasing problem in cities like Libreville and
Port-Gentil, and precautions should be taken: avoid showing
expensive jewellery, camera, and other valuables, and avoid walking
alone or at night. Female travellers can expect unwanted attention
from men, but are free to be firm in their refusal. Gabon's
government is relatively stable; however there is still the
possibility of demonstrations and rallies, which should be avoided
where possible.
Local Customs: Drug possession is a serious offence in Gabon and punishment
will include a prison sentence, even for tourists. Homosexuality is
not widely accepted, and certain homosexual acts are illegal.
Taking photographs of government buildings and military sites is
prohibited.
Duty Free: Travellers to Gabon aged 17 and older may import the following
items: three bottles of wine not exceeding three litres, one litre
of liquor, 50g of perfume, two cameras, 10 rolls of film per
camera, and gifts valued up to XA5,000. Men may bring 400
cigarettes or cigarillos/125 cigars/500g of tobacco, while women
may only bring cigarettes. Those importing guns and ammunition are
required to have a license from the Ministry of Home Affairs in
Libreville.
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