French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, bapounou/Eschira, Bandiabi

Christian 55%-75%, animest, Muslim less than 1%

Gabon is a developing nation in west central Africa.

Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Police

A passport and visa are required.  Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required for entry.  Visas must be obtained in advance, as airport visas are no longer available.  Travelers should obtain the latest information and details from the Embassy of Gabon, 2034 20th Street NW, Washington, DC  20009, telephone: (202) 797-1000, fax: (202) 332-0668.  Travelers may also contact the Gabonese Consulate at 18 East 41st St., Ninth Floor, New York, NY 10017, telephone (212) 683-7371.  Overseas, inquiries should be made to the nearest Gabonese embassy or consulate.  All non-Gabonese citizens, with the exception of those bearing diplomatic or official passports, are required to obtain exit visas from the Direction Générale à la Documentation et l’Immigration (DGDI, formerly known as CEDOC) before departing Gabon.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site.  For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information Sheet.

Airports:L56, Airports w/paved runway: 11

Libreville- Leon M' BA International Airport (LBV/FOOL)
Libreville Airport, Gabon, PO Box 363, Aeroport de Libreville, Libreville GABON
Tel: +241 73.82.82, +241 73.62.44/6
Fax: +241 73.61.28
E-mail: adl@inet.ga

The US Dept. of State issued a Travel Alert for Gabon on July 21, 2009 which is scheduled to expire on September 15, 2009.  http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_4517.html Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the risks of travel to Gabon during the upcoming presidential elections following the death of Gabonese President El-Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba.  The official election campaign period begins on August 16.  The elections are scheduled for August 30.  This Travel Alert expires on September 15, 2009.

The

While the U.S. Embassy in Libreville expects the presidential election to develop peacefully and in an orderly fashion, American citizens should be aware that even peaceful gatherings and demonstrations can turn unexpectedly violent.  Significant traffic congestion, shortages in hotel lodgings, and large crowds throughout the country, particularly in Libreville, are likely to inconvenience travelers. 

U.S. citizens in Gabon should remain aware of their surroundings, monitor their own security situations at all times, and avoid large public gatherings, protests, and demonstrations.  U.S. citizens are encouraged to report unusual events or activities to the U.S. Embassy. 

Updated information on travel and security in Gabon may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the U.S. and Canada, or by calling a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries.  Additional details can be found in the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet for Gabon and the Worldwide Caution, which are available on the Department's Internet website at http://travel.state.gov. 

The Embassy is located in Centre Ville on the Boulevard du Bord de Mer, and may be reached at (241)-76-20-03/04 during business hours.  In case of emergency, a 24-hour duty officer may be reached after hours at (241) 07-38-01-71.

Infant MR total:  53.65 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth:  TOTAL 53.99 years (male 52.85/female 55.17)

Required: Yellow Fever
Recommended: Hep A & B, Malaria, Meningococcal, Rabies, Typhoid
Boosters: MMR, DPT, polio

degree of risk: very high
Malaria risk high, entire country

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

Dengue, filariasis, leishmaniasis, and onchocerciasis (river blindness) are other diseases carried by insects that also occur in this region. Plague is present in wild rodent populations in rural areas of Africa. Generally, the risk of plague infection for travelers is low, especially for persons staying in hotels in cities. A number of rickettsial infections also occur in this region. Schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection, can be contracted in fresh water in this region. Other infections that tend to occur more often in longer-term travelers (or immigrants from the region) include tuberculosis, HIV and hepatitis B.

Medical facilities in Gabon's major cities are limited, but they are generally adequate for routine or basic needs.  Medical services in rural areas are generally unavailable.  Additionally, some medicines are not available.

Country Calling Code:  +241    
Internet Country Code:  .ga