In Gabon, French is the official and lingua franca. In addition, various Bantu languages are spoken in the country.
In Gabon, French is the official and lingua franca. In addition, various Bantu languages are spoken in the country. The population of Gabon consists of the Fang, Punu, Nzebi, Teke, Kota, Myene and the Pygmy peoples. Around 60% of Gabon’s inhabitants adhere to Christianity. The country is also home to Muslims, Protestants and, with around 30% of the total population, a large segment that follows traditional nature religions.
Sights in Gabon
Gabon’s attractions include its many national parks, such as Loango National Park, where dolphins, whales, buffalo and elephants can be spotted. In the Réserve de la Lopé National Park, the habitats of elephants, mandrills and buffalo spanning savannah and rainforest are protected, and in Ivindo National Park visitors can observe lowland gorillas, sitatungas and forest elephants in their natural environment.
Many tourists are drawn to the city of Libreville. Here, holidaymakers can enjoy an exclusive stay in one of the expensive, modern hotel complexes along the Atlantic. The broad, lively boulevard between rainforest and ocean is another tourist magnet. Another popular destination in Gabon is Mayumba in the south of the country. Not only does it boast the country’s most beautiful beaches, but from July to September whales can be seen off the coast, and during the same period is also the season for sea turtles.
Location and Climate of Gabon
Gabon lies in Central Africa, straddling the Equator. The country borders Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea to the north, the Republic of the Congo to the south and east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Gabon’s Atlantic coastline measures around 800 kilometres.
Gabon has a tropical rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures averaging 26.6 °C and an average annual humidity of 83%. The main rainy season runs from January to May, with a shorter rainy spell from October to December. Total annual rainfall is about 2,570 mm, with the least precipitation in the interior. Alongside the rainy seasons, Gabon experiences a main dry season from June to September and a shorter dry spell from December to January.
Entry and Arrival
The Libreville International Airport is Gabon’s only international airport and lies about eight kilometres north of the city centre. Direct flights to Libreville are available, for example, from Paris. From the airport, onward travel is possible by taxi or rental car. Gabon is also accessible by sea from many countries.
Tourists require a valid passport and a visa for entry. Children may enter with a child’s passport accompanied by a visa. The visa must be applied for in advance at one of Gabon’s embassies. In addition, all travellers over one year of age must present proof of a valid yellow-fever vaccination.
