Government advisories for Gabon
US State Department
US L2 · Increased cautionExercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution due to unrest , crime , and health . Unrest Demonstrations and protests may occur in Gabon without warning. Protests often occur in Libreville and Port Gentil. Crime Crime is common in Libreville and Port Gentil. It includes robbery, vehicle break-ins, and residential burglaries. Health Access to…
Official notice Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs (travel.state.gov) · updated Mar 30, 2026
UK Foreign Office (FCDO)
UK · no warningsNo FCDO travel warnings
Latest change: New information about dual nationals returning to the UK (‘Entry requirements’ page).
Official notice Source: gov.uk · updated Dec 10, 2025
Local scams and street crime
- Crime: There have been incidents of robbery, armed attacks and rape in Gabon. You can take steps to reduce your risk and help protect your belongings, including: avoiding remote areas, particularly after dark being cautious on quiet or isolated beaches around Libreville, and avoiding them at night not wearing expensive…
- Money and credit card fraud: Credit cards are not widely accepted except at hotels. Credit card fraud is common outside the major hotel chains. Be alert when paying by card and withdrawing cash from ATMs.
Official notice Source: UK FCDO travel advice (Open Government Licence v3.0) · updated Dec 10, 2025
LGBT+ and women travellers: what the UK FCDO says
- LGBT+ travellers: Same-sex sexual activity is not illegal. There are no laws against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. Gabon remains a conservative society and discrimination can be a problem for those open about their sexual identity. Same-sex marriage is not recognised in Gabon.
Official notice Source: UK FCDO travel advice (Open Government Licence v3.0) · updated Dec 10, 2025
Pregnancy and children: CDC health notes for Gabon
- Zika: the CDC lists Zika as a risk in Gabon. An infected pregnant woman can spread it to her unborn baby. CDC on Zika
- Malaria: CDC recommends that travelers going to Gabon take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take. Ask a travel-health provider which medicine suits pregnancy or young children before you go.
- Hepatitis A (children): Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A.
- Measles (children): All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .
- Yellow Fever (children): CDC recommendations: Vaccine is recommended for all travelers ≥9 months old.
CDC health page for Gabon · CDC: pregnant travelers · CDC: traveling with children
Official notice Source: CDC Travelers' Health (US government, public domain). General information, not medical advice: see a doctor or travel clinic before you go.
Government of Canada
CA 2 · High degree of cautionExercise a high degree of caution
Latest change: Natural disasters and climate section – added information on El Niño
Official notice Source: travel.gc.ca · updated Oct 15, 2026
German Foreign Office
DE · no travel warningNo travel warning
Official notice Source: Auswärtiges Amt · updated Oct 13, 2026
Read the official travel and safety advice
Dutch Foreign Ministry
NL · yellowYellow: be alert, safety risks
De kleurcode van het reisadvies voor Gabon is geel. U kunt erheen reizen. Maar let op: er zijn bijzondere veiligheidsrisico’s.
Official notice Source: Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken, Nederland Wereldwijd (open data, CC0) · updated Jul 28, 2026
Japan Foreign Ministry
JP L1 · Exercise cautionHighest level: Exercise caution
Level 1 in 1 area. Areas can differ; the highest level applies only where the ministry says so.
ガボンの危険情報(内容の更新)《危険レベル継続》
Official notice Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Overseas Safety Homepage · updated Dec 11, 2025
Each government uses its own scale. Read the full advisory before you book or travel; regional differences inside a country can matter more than the headline level.
Entry requirements for Gabon
🇬🇧 British passport holders
- Visa: You must have a visa to enter Gabon.
- Passport: Your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ that is at least 6 months after the date you arrive in Gabon.
Read the full UK entry requirements
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Gabon’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Gabon set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Gabon High Commission on 020 7823 9986 or email gabonembassyuk@gmail.com.
Passport validity requirements
Your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ that is at least 6 months after the date you arrive in Gabon.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
Dual nationals
When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
Visa requirements
You must have a visa to enter Gabon.
Applying for a visa
You must apply for a visa before travelling. For more information on the visa application process, contact the Gabon High Commission in the UK on 020 7823 9986 or email gabonembassyuk@gmail.com.
The most reliable way to get a visa is through the High Commission in the UK.
For business travel, you must provide a letter of invitation from an individual or company in Gabon explaining the reason for your trip.
For tourist travel, you must provide a hotel booking or letter from your hotel confirming your stay.
Vaccine requirements
To enter Gabon, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination.
For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Gabon guide.
Customs rules
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Gabon. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
Official notice Source: UK Foreign Office · updated Dec 10, 2025
🇨🇦 Canadian passport holders
- Tourist visa: required
Read the full Canadian entry requirements
Some countries have imposed measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak. These can include restrictions on entry and health screening measures for travellers having recently visited an affected country. If you are suspected of having symptoms, you may be subject to isolation, quarantine and/or travel restrictions. Contact the authorities of the country you are travelling to for more details.
The authorities of a country or territory decide who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.
We have obtained the information on this page from local authorities. It can, however, change at any time.
Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.
Passport
Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you're travelling with.
Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.
Regular Canadian passport
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Gabon.
Passport for official travel
Different entry rules may apply.
Passport with “X” gender identifier
While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.
You should also be aware that current systems used by some countries and travel companies may not recognize the “X” gender identifier. You may still be asked to provide your sex/gender information as either male or female when travelling.
Other travel documents
Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.
Useful links
- Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
- Foreign Representatives in Canada
- Canadian passports and other travel documents
Visas
Tourist visa: required
Business visa: required
Transit visa: required
If you reside in Gabon, you must obtain an exit visa a few weeks before departure.
Children and travel
Learn about travelling with children.
Yellow fever
Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).
Official notice Source: Government of Canada · updated Oct 15, 2026
Other passports
Rules depend on your nationality, so we do not guess. Before you book:
- Read your own government's travel advice first (US travellers: State Department page for Gabon).
- Not sure what your passport needs? Check the visa rules for your nationality (eVisas visa checker) or compare with VisaHQ. These are affiliate links: if you use their application service we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Official government sites are usually cheaper and are linked above where we have them.
- Check your passport: many countries want it valid for 6 months after arrival and with blank pages.
- Check for an e-visa, travel authorisation or digital arrival card, and any vaccine rules (yellow fever is the common one).
- Ask your airline: they can refuse boarding if your documents do not match the rules.
Entry rules are set by each government and change without notice. This summary is for planning only and is not legal or immigration advice. Confirm on the official government website and with your airline before you book or travel. Voyaggora is not a government agency and does not process visas.
Essentials for travelers
- Plugs: type C, E
- Power: 220 V, 50 Hz
- Traffic drives on the right
- Tap water: not recommended
- Calling code: +241
Compiled by Voyaggora from IEC World Plugs, government and consular sources. Confidence: low. Check with your embassy or hotel before you rely on it in an emergency.
Local language
Gabon French
Essential phrases in French
| Hello | Bonjour | |
|---|---|---|
| Thank you | Merci | |
| Help! | Au secours ! | |
| Where is the hospital? | Où est l'hôpital ? | |
| I need the police | J'ai besoin de la police | |
| I need a doctor | J'ai besoin d'un médecin | |
| How much is it? | C'est combien ? | |
| Where is the toilet? | Où sont les toilettes ? |
Country names come from the Unicode CLDR. Phrases are short standard translations; show them on your phone to ask for help.
More live hazards and notices
- Globe at Night campaign running 2026-11-01 to 2026-11-10: look for Cygnus, Grus, Pegasus. Join in: globeatnight.org.
Live feed Sources: NOAA / NWS (ash advisories from the ICAO Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres, aurora from the Space Weather Prediction Center), USGS, GeoNet New Zealand (CC BY 3.0 NZ) · checked
Health and vaccines
Vaccines, malaria and yellow-fever certificate rules: TravelHealthPro country pages (UK Health Security Agency), CDC destination pages, UK Foreign Office health advice. Ask a travel clinic 6 to 8 weeks before you go.
Money
1 US dollar ≈ 584.38 XAF · 1 euro ≈ 656.26 XAF
Central-bank reference rate for Oct 18, 2026. Your card or exchange desk will differ.
Live feed Source: Frankfurter · checked
Voyaggora destination guides
Quick answers: is it safe to travel to Gabon?
- Is it safe to travel to Gabon right now?
- Official advice is to take normal or increased precautions. As of Oct 18, 08:26 UTC. The US State Department rates Gabon Level 2 of 4, "Increased caution". Canada says "Exercise a high degree of caution". The UK FCDO has no warnings against travel to Gabon. Advisory levels change and can vary by region within a country: check the official page before you travel. Sources: US State Department Canada UK FCDO.
- Are there any active weather or hazard alerts in Gabon right now?
- As of Oct 18, 08:26 UTC, Travel Live shows these live hazard and alert sections for Gabon: more live hazards and notices. Each one on this page names its official source and the time it was checked. Worldwide storms, earthquakes and disasters are on the Travel Live hub.
- What do the advisory levels mean?
- US State Department: Level 1 exercise normal precautions, Level 2 exercise increased caution, Level 3 reconsider travel, Level 4 do not travel. Canada: take normal security precautions, exercise a high degree of caution, avoid non-essential travel, avoid all travel. UK FCDO: it advises against all travel, or all but essential travel, to the whole country or to parts of it, or has no warnings. Each government uses its own scale, so the levels are not directly comparable.
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Get the Weekly BriefWe do not have a live airport, road or transit feed for Gabon. We show the official government notices above with their dates rather than guessing.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Voyaggora summarises official sources and is not a government service; always confirm with the official advisory before you travel.
