Gabon
Prefisso Telefonico
+241
Capitale
Libreville
Popolazione
2,3 milioni
Nome Nativo
Gabon
Regione
Africa
Africa centrale
Fuso Orario
West Africa Time
UTC+01:00
In Questa Pagina
Gabon stands as one of Africa's most prosperous and least-visited nations—a country where oil wealth funds extraordinary conservation creating protected rainforests covering 88% of national territory, where elephants wade through Atlantic surf and hippos ride ocean waves in scenes found nowhere else on Earth, where 13 national parks preserve pristine equatorial wilderness hosting western lowland gorillas, forest elephants, and biodiversity rivaling the Amazon. This Central African nation slightly smaller than Colorado straddles the equator along the Atlantic coast, with landscape dominated by dense tropical rainforest interrupted by winding rivers (the Ogooué being largest), coastal lagoons, and savanna clearings created by centuries of wildlife movement. The capital Libreville reflects French colonial heritage and modern oil prosperity through wide boulevards, oceanfront corniche, thriving nightlife, and stark wealth disparities where expat oil workers occupy luxury compounds while many Gabonese struggle despite national riches. Gabon's population of 2.3 million concentrates in coastal cities leaving interior as vast wilderness where forest elephants forge traditional migration routes, thousands of western lowland gorillas nest in dense jungle, mandrills gather in troops numbering hundreds, and massive leatherback turtles lumber onto beaches to nest. The country's commitment to conservation—13 national parks established in 2002 covering 11% of territory—creates Africa's most pristine forest ecosystem, though infrastructure remains minimal and tourism requires expedition-level planning. Visitors discover a nation of contrasts where surreal wildlife encounters (hippos bodysurfing, elephants on beaches) exist alongside challenges of difficult logistics, high costs, French-only communications, and wilderness requiring serious preparation, rewarding adventurous travelers with exclusive access to one of Earth's last great rainforests and its extraordinary inhabitants.
Gabon Visa & Entry Requirements
Gabon requires visas for most nationalities with application processes varying by country of residence. Most visitors must apply through Gabonese embassy or consulate providing invitation letter (from hotel, tour operator, or business contact), passport valid 6+ months, yellow fever vaccination certificate (mandatory—you will NOT be allowed entry without proof of yellow fever vaccination), proof of accommodation, return flight tickets, and fee (typically $150-220 depending on visa type and nationality). Processing takes 1-2 weeks though delays are common. E-visa system exists but remains unreliable with many reporting technical issues and long processing times—applying through embassy/consulate is generally more reliable. Some nationalities (mainly regional African countries) receive visa-free access for short stays. Tourist visas typically allow 90 days single entry. Important requirement: Yellow fever vaccination is absolutely mandatory—immigration will deny entry without valid yellow fever certificate regardless of visa status. Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended (though not legally required) as country is high-risk malaria zone. Entry typically through Libreville's Léon-Mba International Airport with some international flights from Paris, Addis Ababa, Casablanca, and regional African cities. Land borders with Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and Republic of Congo exist but are challenging for tourists with limited services and unreliable immigration posts. Check current visa requirements with Gabonese embassy as policies change and requirements vary significantly by nationality.
Tipi di Visto Comuni
Tourist Visa
Tourism and leisure travel
Business Visa
Business meetings and professional activities
Essential Gabon Travel Information
Gabon delivers one of Africa's most exclusive and challenging wilderness experiences—pristine rainforests, extraordinary wildlife encounters including elephants on beaches and surfing hippos, and vast protected areas visited by only a few thousand international tourists annually. The country's appeal centers on 13 national parks established in 2002 protecting diverse ecosystems from coastal mangroves to dense equatorial rainforest to savanna clearings. Loango National Park—often called 'Africa's Last Eden'—provides the country's most famous and surreal wildlife viewing where forest elephants emerge from jungle to wade through Atlantic surf, hippos bodysurf incoming waves (yes, actually surfing), buffalos lounge on beaches, and three species of sea turtles nest on sand from November to January. The park combines jungle, lagoons, savanna, and 100 kilometers of pristine coastline creating extraordinary ecosystem diversity. Lopé National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage site—protects ancient rock art, massive savanna clearings created by wildlife, and important habitats for western lowland gorillas and mandrills (colorful baboons gathering in troops of 800+ individuals). Ivindo National Park showcases spectacular Kongou Falls and Mingouli Falls plunging through rainforest, with forest elephants and gorillas in surrounding wilderness. Birougou and Batéké Plateau national parks offer gorilla trekking, though infrastructure remains minimal compared to Rwanda/Uganda. Libreville provides French colonial architecture, lively nightlife, seafood restaurants, and relative comforts before/after wilderness expeditions. Travel in Gabon requires serious planning: costs are very high (among Africa's most expensive destinations), internal transport is challenging (domestic flights unreliable, roads mostly poor/unpaved, river transport slow), French language is essential (minimal English spoken), and national parks lack developed infrastructure—most visits require multi-day organized expeditions with specialist operators providing camping equipment, 4x4 vehicles, boats, and logistics. Yet for those willing to embrace challenges, Gabon rewards with pristine wilderness, exclusive wildlife encounters, and access to ecosystems that remain genuinely wild.
Scopri Gabon
Modi per Scoprire Questa Destinazione
Explore Loango National Park combining jungle, beach, and lagoon safaris—witness surfing hippos, elephants wading in Atlantic surf, gorilla tracking, sea turtle nesting (Nov-Jan), creating Africa's most unusual safari scenes.
Track western lowland gorillas in Lopé or other parks—more challenging than mountain gorilla trekking but more authentic wilderness experience, plus mandrill troops, chimpanzees, and diverse monkey species in pristine rainforest.
Journey to Ivindo National Park for Kongou Falls and Mingouli Falls—spectacular cascades in dense equatorial rainforest, forest elephant viewing at bais, river journeys by pirogue, immersion in pristine jungle ecosystem.
Join wildlife research projects or conservation programs—sea turtle monitoring, elephant tracking studies, habitat surveys, combining tourism with meaningful contribution to conservation while accessing exclusive research sites.
Experience Libreville's French-African fusion—colonial architecture, lively markets, African nightlife, French cuisine, exploring oil-wealthy capital and gateway to wilderness, understanding Gabon's unique cultural identity.
Città con missioni
Dove mantiene ambasciate o consolati
Ambasciate presenti in Gabon
Queste ambasciate e consolati hanno sede nel paese. Seleziona una rappresentanza per consultare le informazioni verificate.
Tutti i paesi per continente
Gabon offers Africa's most exclusive wilderness experience—pristine rainforests hosting western lowland gorillas and forest elephants, plus surreal Loango National Park where elephants wade in Atlantic surf and hippos bodysurf waves. This is adventure travel requiring serious preparation but rewarding with genuinely wild encounters.
Check Gabon Visa Requirements