Gabon

See the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Gabon for additional information on U.S. - Gabon relations. 

Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety: Travel by road in Gabon can be hazardous. Drive with your car windows up and doors locked. Travelers are routinely stopped at police checkpoints within cities and on roads to the interior. You should comply politely if stopped, but avoid encouraging requests for bribery. Use extreme caution when driving after dark. Two-lane roads are the norm throughout Gabon. Roads to outlying cities are usually unpaved. There are many dangers, including large potholes, absence of road signs, poor-to-non-existent streetlights, timber-laden trucks, and the presence of pedestrians and animals. Construction work is generally poorly indicated. Drivers may change lanes or stop unexpectedly. Lane markings are frequently ignored. Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended for travel beyond the paved road to Lambarene, especially during the rainy season.

Roadside assistance and emergency medical services are available in Libreville, but they may not be dependable. These services are nonexistent outside of the city. Service stations are available along main roads, but vehicle repair facilities are not always available.

Traffic Laws:  To drive in Gabon, you must have a Gabonese driving license (permis de conduire), vehicle registration (carte grise), proof of insurance (assurance), proof of vehicle inspection (visite technique), fire extinguisher (extincteur de feu), triangles (triangles), and first aid kit (boite de soins de premiers secours). The police may verify that you have all of the required documentation and equipment if they stop you on the road or at police checkpoints. During your first 30 days in Gabon, you are permitted to drive with a U.S. or International Driver’s license. Talking on a cell phone while driving in Gabon is against the law. 

Public Transportation: Taxis in Gabon are considered safe. Travelers usually share a taxi, but, for a higher fee, taxi operators will allow passengers sole use of the taxi. Use a hotel taxi when possible. Before entering a taxi, check that the taxi has seatbelts and negotiate the rate for your trip. Bus service exists in Libreville, but buses are infrequent and routes are not generally convenient. Rail service remains available but infrequent, and travelers should expect lengthy delays.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Visit the website of Gabon’s National Tourist Office and national authority responsible for road safety.

Aviation Safety Oversight: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Gabon, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Gabon’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards.  Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

Safety and Security

Political rallies and social protests may occur spontaneously in Libreville. Even gatherings intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational or violent. Be aware of your surroundings and personal security at all times. Avoid large gatherings, protests, demonstrations, and any other event where crowds congregate.

There have been instances of tanker hijackings in the Gulf of Guinea, including one incident in July 2013 where a tanker was hijacked off the coast of Gabon.

In the event of a fire, dial 18 in Libreville. In Port Gentil, dial 07-63-93-63 or 01-56-27-75.

Crime: Petty theft is common. Violent crime is more common in urban areas. We have received reports of armed robberies in homes, restaurants, and at beaches frequented by foreigners. Police response time is often slow.

If driving in Libreville, take extra precautions against carjacking and theft. Keep car windows up, doors locked, and valuables out of view. Even in daylight, thieves may open unlocked vehicle doors to snatch valuables. We recommend against riding in a taxi alone or late at night. Carry identification at all times to minimize the risk of harassment at police checkpoints.

Avoid poorly lit streets and unfamiliar areas of the city, especially at night. Avoid beaches after dusk. Carry a minimal amount of cash and avoid wearing flashy or expensive jewelry, especially in markets and restaurants. In a robbery or carjacking, comply with the attacker to avoid injury.

See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime: Report crimes to the local police and contact the U.S. Embassy at + (241) 01-45-71-00. The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line to reach the police is 177 (not available on all cell phones). For the police, call 01-76-55-85 in Libreville and 01-55-29-12 (Central Police Station) or 07-36-22-25 in Port Gentil. Operators often only speak French.

Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime.

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas.

We can:

• help you find appropriate medical care
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• provide a list of local attorneys
• provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical
• support in cases of destitution
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.

For further information:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. 
• Call us in Washington at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the State Department's travel website for Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts.
• Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. 
• See traveling safely abroad for useful travel tips.