Gabon Travel Guide

Waterfall in Ivindo National Park, Gabon © Jefe Le Gran

One of the most naturally exquisite and most prosperous countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, Gabon attracts adventure travellers and nature lovers in equal measure. The country straddles the equator on the west coast of Africa and is bordered by Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Atlantic Ocean.

Many travellers opt to 4X4 through this rugged country, armed with little more than a French dictionary, some mosquito repellent and a taste for adventure. Verdant tropical rainforests teeming with exotic wildlife such as chimpanzees, elephants and gorillas, the vast green savannahs of Lope-Okanda Reserve, 500 miles (805km) of deserted sandy beaches, lagoons, estuaries and breathtaking African sunsets: what more could one want?

Originally inhabited by the Pygmy people, it was colonised by the Portuguese in the 15th century, who named the country 'Gabão', which is Portuguese for 'cabin', after the shape of the estuary of the Komo River. It was later colonised by France in 1885, and went on to gain independence in 1960.

Gabon is the talk of the town when it comes to eco-tourism, thanks to the government designating 10 percent of the country's land to national parks. Just by being there, visitors are already off the beaten track as everything outside the capital of Libreville is only recently accessible. The Mayumba National Park features leatherback turtles nesting in the sandy beaches and marine life such as sharks, dolphins, and migrating humpback whales.

Travellers are advised to be cautious in Libreville, as in any city that has its fair share of crime, and carry a copy of their passport and visa at all times as police are known to hassle tourists. Female travellers should prepare themselves for plenty of unwanted attention.

For those wanting a more mainstream experience, Port Gentil at the mouth of Libreville and Ogooue River offers some wonderful fishing and is popular amongst European visitors. With so much to see and do, Gabon has enough charm and diversity to appeal to travellers with a hearty sense of adventure.