Gabon Travel Guide

Full Name

Gabonese Republic

Former Name

None

Capital City

Libreville

Government Type

republic; multiparty presidential regime (opposition parties legalized in 1990)

Area Size

total: 267,667 sq km

Time Zone

UTC/GMT +1 hour

Climate

Equatorial with up to 80% humidity. The dry season is from June to August, and the main rainy season is from October to May. Average temperatures are 25°C (77°F).

Geography

Gabon is located on the Atlantic coast of central Africa. Clockwise from the northwest, it is bounded by Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, and the Republic of Congo. a small population and oil and mineral reserves have helped Gabon become one of Africa's wealthier countries; in general, these circumstances have allowed the country to maintain and conserve its pristine rain forest and rich biodiversity

Languages

French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi

Culture

Gabon has a diverse ethnic makeup, although most of the inhabitants are Bantu-speaking. Of the country's approximately 40 ethnic groups, most belong to the Fang, Mpongwe, M'Bete, and Punu groups. The Fang make masks and basketry, carvings, and sculptures. Fang art is characterized by organized clarity and distinct lines and shapes. Bieri, boxes to hold the remains of ancestors, are carved with protective figures. Masks are worn in ceremonies and for hunting. The faces are painted white with black features. Myene art centers around Myene rituals for death. Female ancestors are represented by white painted masks worn by the male relatives. The Bekota use brass and copper to cover their carvings. They use baskets to hold ancestral remains. Masks have been very important in the tribal life of Gabon. Each mask represented the spirit linked to the life of the village and gave support and rules to individuals. Folklore is an important element in Gabonese culture. Its music has not been touched by outside influences, even though modern music has evolved separately. Gabon's folklore seems close to the ancient art of the minstrel, where a storyteller, accompanying himself on the harp, recites half spoken, half sung epics. The shape and the playing of musical instruments has remained practically unchanged throughout the years. Drums, Tom-tom, balafon or xylophone are some common musical instruments. Tourism is rare in Gabon, and unlike in other African countries, art is not spurred on by the prospect of capitalism.

History

Only two autocratic presidents have ruled Gabon since independence from France in 1960. Gabon's current President, El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba - one of the longest-serving heads of state in the world - has dominated Gabon's political scene for almost four decades. President BONGO introduced a nominal multiparty system and a new constitution in the early 1990s. However, allegations of electoral fraud during local elections in 2002-03 and the presidential elections in 2005 have exposed the weaknesses of formal political structures in Gabon. Gabon's political opposition remains weak, divided, and financially dependent on the current regime. Despite political conditions, a small population, abundant natural resources, and considerable foreign support have helped make Gabon one of the more prosperous and stable African countries.

Travel Information

Air France flies from Paris to Libreville, and Royal Air Maroc flies from Casablanca to Gabon. Air Service also flies to Douala (Cameroon), and Air Ethiopia flies from Addis Ababa. There are also on occasion flights to Brazzaville, Congo. Every Monday there is an "Interair" flight from Johannesburg (South Africa) to Libreville with a stopover in Brazzaville/Congo - returning via the same route every Wednesday. Interair will introduce a second weekly flight within the next few weeks. There are several border crossings, though the roads are not good and a 4x4 is recommended.

Accommodation

There are private hotels and hotel chains in Libreville and other major cities and towns but, like most of the accommodation in Gabon, they are expensive.

Visa Requirements

Visa is required for citizens of the EU, Australia, Canada and USA. Passport valid for more than six months required by all nationals above. Nationals not referred to above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements. Single-entry visas are valid three months from date of issue. Apply to the Consulate.

Getting Around

The easiest way to get around is by bus. There are many and they are very cheap. Air Service has scheduled flights to Oyem, Makouko and Franceville/Mvengue. Air Nationale flies to Franceville/Mvengue. There are flights to Franceville/Mvengue every day of the week except Tuesdays and Thursdays. There are lots of paved roads in Gabon, if you are staying in one of the major citys a car should suffice. If you plan on venturing onto some of the unpaved roads outside the major cities a 4x4 is recommended. There are less than 800km of tarred roads in Gabon - some of them in a bad condition. During the rainy season it is difficult to travel outside the major city areas even in a 4x4 vehicle. The Trans-Gabon railroad goes from Owendo to Franceville. The trip takes 12-18 hours, there is a train every day of the week. November 2006: There are only 3 trains per week to Franceville: Tuesdays leaving Owendo at 9 a.m. - arriving in Franceville at 5 p.m. according to timetable, which is not completely reliable timewise. On Thursdays and Saturdays train travels through the night. A few wealthy Gabonese entrepreneurs have invested in new buses for bus lines to service the larger interior cities. Mostly these buses serve the cities with paved roads leading to and from them. Since Air Gabon closed down, these bus lines have greatly increased their routes. Boat travel is available all along the coast of Gabon and dozens of miles up the Ogooue river to Lambarene. Boats leave daily to/from Libreville and Port Gentil. River trips from the mouth of the big river at Port Gentil to Lambarene (Albert Schweitzer Hospital) are available every few days.

Health & Safety

Vaccinations are adviced for Diphteria, Hepatitis A,Rabies, Tetanus, Typhoid and Yellow Fever. * A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travellers over one year of age. Yellow fever risk is particularly high in Ogooue-Ivindo province. Take precautions for Malaria. All water should be regarded as potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. Diarrhoeal diseases, including giardiasis, and typhoid fevers are common. Hepatitis E is widespread. Hepatitis B is hyperendemic. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present; avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. Leishmaniasis and dengue fever can be transmitted by worms and insects. Epidemics of meningococcal disease may occur, particularly in the savannah areas and during the dry season. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.Travellers in rural areas should take a first-aid kit with anti-tetanus and anti-venom serums. Medical facilities are limited. Comprehensive medical insurance is essential. Large gatherings or any other event where crowds have congregated to demonstrate or protest should be avoided. Taking photographs of military or government buildings is strictly forbidden.

National Holidays

1 Jan - New Year’s Day. 12 Mar - Renovation Day. 9 Apr - Easter Monday. 17 Apr - Women's Day. 1 May - Labour Day. 6 May - Martyrs’ Day. 28 May - Whit Monday. 15 Aug - Assumption. 16-17 Aug - Independence Days. 13 Oct - Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). 1 Nov - All Saints' Day. 20 Dec - Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). 25 Dec - Christmas Day.

Currency

CFA Franc (BEAC) (XAF)

Electricity

220V AC