23 March 2021
There's a ban on overseas travel from Australia. You can’t leave Australia unless you have an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs, or are travelling to a destination that is exempt from the ban.
Our global travel advice remains at 'Do not travel' due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel. Some destinations were already set at Do Not Travel prior to COVID-19 due to the extreme risk to your safety.
If you’re overseas and wish to return to Australia, be prepared for delays and read our advice on trying to get home.
When you arrive in Australia you must quarantine for 14 days at designated facilities in your port of arrival, unless you have an exemption or are travelling on a quarantine-free flight from a green zone destination. At this time, vaccination against COVID-19 does not change this quarantine requirement. You may be required to pay for the costs of your quarantine. View State and Territory Government COVID-19 information for information about quarantine and domestic borders.
If you're staying overseas, make plans to stay for an extended period. Follow the advice of local authorities and minimise your risk of exposure to COVID-19. Stay in touch with family and friends so they know you're safe.
Our network of embassies and consular posts around the world will provide you with up-to-date local advice and support throughout this difficult period. Be aware consular services may be limited due to local measures.
For the latest information, read and subscribe to our news and travel advice. Also see our COVID-19 information pages.
Call 177.
Call 177 or go to the hospital.
Depending on your mobile network, call: 1300, 0174 or 0880 for SOS Médecins.
Operators may only speak French.
Call 177 or visit the nearest police station.
Do not travel to Gabon.
Do not travel overseas due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel.
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Petty crime is common, including:
Hotspots for thieves include crowded:
Violent crime is common, especially in Libreville and Port Gentil. Incidents include robberies and armed attacks.
Travellers have been victims of:
Victims have been targeted when walking alone or at night. This is more common in isolated areas or on beaches.
There are reports of credit card fraud originating in Gabon.
To protect yourself from violent crime:
If you're a victim of violent crime, including rape, go to the doctor or a hospital straight away. HIV/AIDS is common in Gabon.
Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent. Demonstrations are more common in Libreville and Port Gentil.
A failed coup attempt in January 2019 led to a visible military presence on the streets.
To protect yourself during periods of unrest:
More information:
Gabon experiences natural disasters and severe weather.
Flooding occurs in the rainy seasons from:
You may need a 4WD on some roads at this time.
If a natural disaster occurs:
More information:
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. A ban on overseas travel from Australia remains in place. You can’t leave Australia unless you get an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs.
Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.
If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care.
Confirm:
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. Consider whether you may be in a vulnerable category for COVID-19.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.
More information:
Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.
If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Gabon. Take enough legal medication for your trip.
Many pharmaceutical products are in short supply in Gabon.
Carry a copy of your prescription and a letter from your doctor stating:
More information:
COVID-19 remains a risk in Gabon.
For information on Gabon's COVID-19 vaccination program, refer to the Gabon Ministry of Health website. You should consult your local health professional for advice on vaccine options, including assistance that may be available locally. The Australian Government cannot provide advice on the safety, quality and efficacy of vaccines that have been approved for use outside of Australia's regulatory process.
More information:
Yellow fever is widespread in Gabon. Yellow fever is a potentially fatal virus spread by mosquitoes. It's prevented by vaccination. Get vaccinated before you travel.
Malaria is common throughout the year.
Other insect-borne diseases include:
If you're pregnant, the Australian Department of Health recommends that you:
To protect yourself from disease:
Consider taking medication to prevent malaria.
Seek medical advice if you have a fever, muscle pain, rash or severe headache.
HIV/AIDS is common in Gabon.
Take precautions if taking part in activities that put you at risk of infection.
Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases are common. These include:
Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.
To protect yourself from illness:
If you're bitten or scratched by an animal, get medical help straight away.
Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.
Medical facilities are adequate in major cities, but basic or unavailable in rural areas.
You'll need to pay up-front before doctors and hospitals will treat you.
If you become seriously ill or injured, you may need to be evacuated to a place with better facilities. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.
You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.
If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Penalties for drug offences are severe and can include long prison sentences in local jails.
More information:
Serious crimes, such as murder and assault, can attract the death penalty.
It's illegal to photograph:
It's illegal to buy or sell endangered wildlife products without a licence. This includes ivory and rhino horn.
More information:
Same-sex relationships aren't legally recognised.
Local communities can be intolerant towards same-sex relationships, so avoid public displays of affection.
There have been attempts to charge people in same-sex marriages under public order and obscenity laws.
More information:
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
Dual citizenship is recognised in Gabon.
Help for dual nationals can be limited if local authorities consider you a Gabonese citizen. Travel on your Australian passport.
More information:
You need a visa to enter Gabon.
Gabon doesn't have an embassy or consulate in Australia. Gabon's nearest embassy is in Tokyo.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. You can contact the nearest embassy or consulate for the latest details. They'll tell you about visas, currency, customs and other travel requirements.
Entry to Gabon
There are limited international flights to and from Gabon. Land and sea borders remain closed. Domestic travel outside Libreville by air, road, train and boat is possible though you will need to have a negative COVID-19 test result that is less than 14 days old.
Gabon has suspended all tourist visas for visitors travelling from countries affected by COVID-19. If you travel to Gabon despite our advice, you’ll need proof of a negative COVID-19 test result. COVID-related entry requirements are changing regularly. Check with your local Gabonese embassy, consulate or immigration department to make sure you’re aware of the latest requirements as well as rules around quarantine on arrival.
Departure from Gabon
The Government of Gabon has advised that if you have overstayed your visa due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, you won't be penalised when you leave and it won't affect your chances of being granted a visa in the future.
Staying in Gabon
Only restaurants with an outdoor terrace can open and you must present a negative COVID-19 test to enter. Gatherings of more than 30 people are banned. It's mandatory to wear a face mask in public. A curfew is in effect from 6pm to 5am.
If you're remaining in Gabon:
You'll need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Gabon. Some airlines may want to see one when you leave.
Find out about returning to Australia after exposure to yellow fever.
More information:
You need to show proof that you've been vaccinated against cholera.
If you don't have proof, you may need to pay to have a vaccine on arrival.
Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.
Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.
You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.
The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.
Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.
Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.
If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:
The local currency is the Central African CFA Franc (XAF).
Declare all amounts of local or foreign currency more than XAF200,000 on arrival and departure. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.
You can only cash traveller's cheques at larger banks in major cities. The cheques must be in either euros or US dollars.
Gabon is largely a cash-based economy.
Credit cards aren't widely accepted, except at major hotels and restaurants.
You'll find ATMs in major centres. Take care when using ATMs because thieves may target you.
See Safety.
Ask your bank if your cards will work in Gabon.
Ecotourism is safe in Gabon if you:
To drive in Gabon, you need both:
You must obtain your IDP before leaving Australia.
You're 4 times more likely to be killed in a motor vehicle accident in Gabon than in Australia.
Hazards include:
Travel outside of major urban centres usually requires a 4WD vehicle.
Towing and repair services aren't common outside Libreville.
There are police roadblocks throughout the country. You may be asked to show identity and motor vehicle registration papers.
Check you have adequate travel insurance cover before driving.
If you hire a vehicle, confirm with your rental company what you're required to carry in your vehicle, such as:
To reduce your risks if you plan to drive:
If you're involved in a traffic accident, go to the nearest police station to avoid possible confrontations.
More information:
Your travel insurance policy may not cover you when riding a motorbike, quad bike or similar vehicle.
Always wear a helmet.
Taxis are generally safe, but they often pick up multiple passengers and take indirect routes.
To reduce risks when using taxis:
Buses and trains in Gabon are reasonably safe.
Services are infrequent.
More information:
Armed robbery and piracy against commercial shipping has occurred off the coast of Gabon and across the Gulf of Guinea.
When travelling by boat:
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check Gabon's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
Call 177.
Call 177 or go to the hospital.
Depending on your mobile network, call: 1300, 0174 or 0880 for SOS Médecins.
Operators may only speak French.
Call 177 or visit the nearest police station.
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.
Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
Australia doesn't have an embassy in Gabon.
The Canadian High Commission in Cameroon provides limited consular assistance to Australians in Gabon. It can issue Australian provisional travel documents.
Limited consular services are also available from the Australian High Commission in Nigeria.
Les Colonnades Building
New Bastos, Road 1 792
Yaoundé, Cameroon
Phone: +237 222 50 39 00
Fax: +237 222 50 39 04
Email: yunde@international.gc.ca
Website: canadainternational.gc.ca/cameroon-cameroun.
Phone: +234 (0) 9460 6960
Email: ahc.abuja@dfat.gov.au
Website: nigeria.highcommission.gov.au
Facebook: Australia in Nigeria
Twitter: @AusHCAbuja
Check the High Commission website for details about services or to make an appointment.
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.