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Practical Information about Gabon
Your trip
You can travel to Gabon all year round. Normally May to September are the most popular months, but that does not mean that the other periods are not possible. Gabon is located on the west coast of Central Africa. Gabon has a tropical climate with high temperatures and humidity year-round. The average temperature ranges from 24°C to 30°C along the coast, with slightly cooler conditions inland. The wet season, from October to April, brings heavy rainfall, peaking between February and April, while the dry season spans from May to September.
Everyone must take out travel and health insurance before leaving for Gabon. Whether Gabon is covered by your policy differs per insurance policy. In most cases this will not be a problem. At CultureRoad we recommend: IATI Travel Insurance, a reliable company that has different insurance options that fits your personal needs. Book now to get a 5% discount!
Yes, you do need a visa to visit Gabon.
Gabon uses the time zone UCT +1.
Gabon has no difference between summer and winter time.
Gabonese pay with the Central African CFA franc (XAF). ATMs are not always available or reliable and we therefore recommend that you bring enough Euros or USD for the trip. You can exchange money with the guide at a similar rate that you see at the bank. For the most recent exchange rate, visit www.xchange.com.
Of course it mainly depends on yourself how much you actually spend, but as a guideline we advise about € 50 per day, with which you should be able to save. However, if you would like to buy souvenirs, it is best to bring some extra. Soda is generally around € 1. For a meal you pay between € 5 and € 15.
Tipping local guides is always encouraged. They don’t earn much in this part of the world and it often makes a big difference to them. Of course this is according to your own preference.
We are always available to advise you when booking a flight. However, most customers prefer to book the flight themselves. Often this is cheaper in terms of price and you can pick your own preferences. For flight options to Gabon you can take a look here.
Practical information
The complete electricity supply in Gabon is 220 Volt / 50 Hz. Gabon therefore uses the same plugs and sockets as in Western Europe. However, you may occasionally need adapter plugs, so we recommend to bring a universal plug. There is also regular power outages, so make sure to charge everything as soon as there is power in your hotel.
Internet is available at most accommodations (if it works). However, don’t expect a fast and stable connection. There is mobile coverage around the towns and cities that we visit. You can choose to buy a local SIM card. If you wish, the guide will be happy to assist.
Local culture
Gabon is generally an open and accessible country. In terms of customs, there are few differences with Western countries. Most of the people are Christian and faith plays a major role in their lives.
A few rules to keep in mind:
– Wear simple clothes (t-shirt with pants / skirt).
– Don’t just drink alcohol in public.
– Many Gabonese are not used to seeing tourists, which sometimes gives some suspicious looks but are meant well.
Gabon is generally known as a safe country. Corruption is still a big problem in the country, but as a tourist you won’t notice it. The areas in Gabon that we visit are places where we feel comfortable and where we feel are safe to bring people. If the situation changes, we will also respond immediately. We therefore ask for a certain flexibility from our travellers.
Some measures that we do pass on to our travellers;
– If you want to set off by yourself in the big cities, discuss this with the guide first.
– Don’t show off your most beautiful jewellery and watches, leave them at home.
– We do not discuss the itinerary or the name of the hotel with anyone. While it will of course only be out of curiosity that someone asks, we don’t share this information with others purely as a precaution.
In general, you can take photos freely (including with drones). However, there are a few things to keep in mind.
– Always ask permission before taking a photo of a person.
– Do not take pictures of military personnel, military installations, police officers or government buildings.
Gabonese cuisine is a mix of different African and French cuisines. Common meals are meat served with a side of vegetables and sauce that has hot chili flavours. Cassava, plantains, and rice also form the basis of many dishes. Gabon is not an easy country for vegetarians. There are vegetarian options and the guide will certainly help you with it. Alcohol is readily available in Gabon.
Since we mainly deal with warm temperatures, we recommend that you bring comfortable clothes. During the rainy season, we advise you to also bring rain gear (or clothes that may get wet). It is also useful to bring good walking shoes , as many roads are unpaved. In most hotels in the big cities you will be able to do laundry if there is time.
Gabon is a developing country with a very turbulent recent history. Healthcare is therefore very limited. Also in terms of hygiene, the standard is much lower than in the Western world. Make sure you have enough disinfection gel, sunscreen and insect repellent.
We advise you always to the last (health) risk programs for the region where you’re going to visit. Check with your own government for the latest info about your destination.