Gabon

Petty crime is common, including:

• pickpocketing
• bag snatching
• vehicle break-ins

Hotspots for thieves include crowded:

• markets
• transport hubs
• tourist areas

Violent crime

Violent crime is common, especially in Libreville and Port Gentil. Incidents include robberies and armed attacks.

Travellers have been victims of:

• carjackings
• 'snatch–and-grab' robberies from unlocked cars
• violent road rage

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:

• don't walk alone or visit beaches and isolated areas alone, especially at night
• always keep car windows and doors locked, even when moving
• watch your credit card at all times, including during transactions
• monitor local media for updates about safety or security risks

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.

Demonstrations and protests

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:

• avoid demonstrations, protests and large gatherings
• monitor local media
• avoid affected areas
• follow the advice of local authorities

More information:

•  Demonstrations and civil unrest

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

More information:

• Terrorism

Gabon experiences natural disasters and severe weather.

Flooding occurs in the rainy seasons from:

• October to mid-December
• mid-February to May

You may need a 4WD on some roads at this time.

If a natural disaster occurs:

• secure your passport in a safe, waterproof location
• monitor local media and other sources
• follow the advice of local authorities
• keep in contact with friends and family

More information:

• Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System

This advice pre-dates COVID-19 and the Australian Government's travel ban for all Australians.

Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. 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:

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

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:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

More information:

• General health advice
• International travel and health

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:

• what the medication is
• how much you'll take
• that it's for personal use

More information:

• Medication

COVID-19

COVID-19 remains a risk in Gabon.

More information:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) (Department of Health)
• Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Insect-borne diseases

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:

• chikungunya
• dengue
• Zika virus
• filariasis
• African sleeping sickness

If you're pregnant, the Australian Department of Health recommends that you:

• discuss  your travel plans with your doctor
• consider deferring non-essential travel to Zika-affected areas

To protect yourself from disease:

• make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
• use treated mosquito nets and insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing

Consider taking medication to prevent malaria.

Seek medical advice if you have a fever, muscle pain, rash or severe headache.

HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS is common in Gabon.

Take precautions if taking part in activities that put you at risk of infection.

Other health risks

Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases are common. These include:

• cholera
• typhoid
• hepatitis
• tuberculosis
• rabies

Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.

To protect yourself from illness:

• drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids
• avoid ice cubes
• avoid raw and undercooked food, such as salads
• don't swim in fresh water
• avoid contact with dogs and other mammals

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

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.

Drugs

Penalties for drug offences are severe and can include long prison sentences in local jails.

More information:

• Carrying or using drugs

Death penalty

Serious crimes, such as murder and assault, can attract the death penalty.

Other laws

It's illegal to photograph:

• military sites
• government buildings
• border posts
• airports
• the Presidential Palace

It's illegal to buy or sell endangered wildlife products without a licence. This includes ivory and rhino horn.

More information:

• Wildlife trade

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:

• Advice for LGBTI travellers

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

More information:

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

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:

• Dual nationals

Visa conditions

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.

Gabon has partially reopened its borders, allowing three international flights per airline per week. Land and sea borders remain closed. Domestic travel by air, road, train and boat is possible, subject to passenger limits and hygiene requirements. A curfew is in effect from 8pm to 5am.

Gabon has suspended all tourist visas for visitors travelling from countries affected by COVID-19. On arrival, passengers must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within the previous 14 days and will then be required to quarantine for 15 days.

Schools are closed with exceptions for certain year levels. Only restaurants and bars with an outdoor terrace can open and gatherings of more than 10 people are banned. It's mandatory to wear a face mask in public.

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.

If you're remaining in Gabon:

• follow the advice of local authorities
• take care to protect yourself from exposure to COVID-19
• ensure you have arrangements in place for an extended stay
• keep in contact with family and friends so they know you're safe and well

Travel via France 

If you plan to transit through France back to Australia, you must carry a government certificate. Also take hard copies of your plane tickets with you. Australian passport holders transiting Charles de Gaulle airport may not leave the international transit zone.

Contact your closest Australian Embassy or High Commission with your flight details. They can provide them to the Australian Embassy in Paris which will give advance notice of your transit to the French border police.

More information:

• France

Yellow fever vaccination

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:

• Countries with a risk of yellow fever (PDF 74KB)

Cholera vaccination

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.

Validity

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.

Lost or stolen 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:

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

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 

Ecotourism is safe in Gabon if you:

• use common sense
• travel with a reputable tour company
• don't venture too far from your group

Driving permit

To drive in Gabon, you need both:

• a valid Australian driver's licence
• an International Driving Permit (IDP)

You must obtain your IDP before leaving Australia.

Road travel

You're 4 times more likely to be killed in a motor vehicle accident in Gabon than in Australia.

Hazards include:

• poorly maintained roads
• poorly maintained and overloaded vehicles
• local driving practices
• poor lighting and road signs, especially outside urban areas

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:

• licensing documents
• proof of insurance
• safety equipment such as a fire extinguisher

To reduce your risks if you plan to drive:

• get to know local traffic laws and practices
• be alert to pedestrians, animals and other hazards on the road
• avoid travelling at night
• get local advice on road conditions, especially during the rainy season

If you're involved in a traffic accident, go to the nearest police station to avoid possible confrontations.

More information:

• Driving or riding

Motorcycles

Your travel insurance policy may not cover you when riding a motorbike, quad bike or similar vehicle.

Always wear a helmet.

Taxis

Taxis are generally safe, but they often pick up multiple passengers and take indirect routes.

To reduce risks when using taxis:

• negotiate the fare with the driver before entering the taxi
• avoid using taxis alone or at night
• ask the driver not to pick up other passengers
• only use authorised taxis
• use hotel taxi and limousine services if they're available

Public transport

Buses and trains in Gabon are reasonably safe.

Services are infrequent.

More information:

• Transport and getting around safely

Boat travel

Armed robbery and piracy against commercial shipping has occurred off the coast of Gabon and across the Gulf of Guinea.

When travelling by boat:

• check the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) piracy reports
• take appropriate security precautions
• be alert to threats

Air travel

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:

• Air travel

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider
• employer
• airline

Fire and rescue services

Call 177.

Medical emergencies

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.

Police

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.

Canadian High Commission, Yaounde

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.

Australian High Commission, Abuja

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.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia