Gabon

Recommended Vaccinations For Gabon

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Cholera Vaccine

The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions. The U.S. CDC recommends the cholera vaccine for travellers who are 18-64 years of age and who plan to travel to areas of active cholera transmission. CDC notes that most travellers do not travel to areas of active cholera transmission, and that safe food and water practices can prevent many cholera infections.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

One dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) is recommended to infants 6 to 11 months prior to international travel.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

A BCG vaccine is recommended for all unvaccinated adults and children under 16 years of age, staying in the country for more than 3 months. A tuberculin skin test is required prior to administering vaccination for all children from 6 years of age.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travellers 1 year of age and older. However, the vaccination is recommended for all travellers 9 months of age and older.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities, rural areas, where water and food may not be safe.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Recommended Medications For Gabon

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Anti-malaria medication is recommended for travellers going to Gabon. Recommended medications are atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine. Anti-malaria drug resistance for chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine is present.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Gabon

For Most Travellers

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever occurs in this country.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A in Gabon.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis B in Gabon.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.

Cholera

Outbreaks of cholera occur in Gabon.

For Some Travellers

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in the country. The infection is transmitted by the bite of infected phlebotomine sandfly.

African Tick Bite Fever

There is an increased risk of this disease in this country.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever in the Gabon.

Yellow Fever

There is a risk of yellow fever transmission.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring hantavirus in the Gabon through contaminated food or by coming into contact with someone infected with the virus

Sleeping Sickness (Type 1)

African trypanosomiasis occurs in Gabon. Travellers to urban areas are not at risk.

Rift Valley Fever (RVF)

Commonly spread via contact with domesticated animals infected with the virus. These include cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels, among others.

West Nile Fever

The virus is transmitted to animals, birds and humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, nausea, and skin rash.

Monkeypox

There is a risk of monkeypox in the country. The disease can be caused by being scratched or bitten by an infected animal (a rodent or primate), or touching animal products, including skins and meat and being near an infected person who is coughing or sneezing.

Ebola Viral Disease

There is a risk of Ebola in Gabon. Ebola is caused by coming into contact with the body fluids from an infected person (alive or dead), such as blood, urine, saliva, and sweat, among others. Medical equipment contaminated with the boly fluids of an infected person or a person who died of Ebola or Marburg also cause the disease.

Measles

There is a risk of exposure to measles in the country.

Malaria

Malaria risk exists throughout the year in the whole country.

Schistosomiasis

This disease is present in this country and is acquired through contact with fresh water, such as swimming, bathing, or rafting. Well-chlorinated swimming pools and contact with saltwater in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for schistosomiasis.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in this country. Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Gabon, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where water and food may not be safe.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Zika Fever

Zika virus can occur in this country.

Safety & Security in Gabon

Personal Safety

Gabon experiences moderate levels of petty and violent crime, particularly in Libreville and Port Gentil. Pickpocketing, theft of unattended items, vehicle break-ins, and residential burglaries occur regularly. Armed robberies and muggings at gunpoint or knifepoint happen on streets in major cities. Foreigners attract criminal attention because they appear wealthier than locals. Violent crime against tourists remains less common than property crime, but incidents of armed attacks and assaults do occur. Walking alone at night carries significant risk. Urban areas become particularly dangerous after dark, though daytime incidents also happen. Crime increases during the May to September holiday season. Thieves use distraction techniques such as stepping in front of vehicles in traffic to create opportunities for partners to snatch items from unlocked doors. Carjackings have been reported in Libreville. Isolated areas including beaches present heightened risk even during daytime. Following the August 2023 military takeover, authorities maintain heightened security alert levels and increased military presence throughout the country. Security forces routinely stop travelers at checkpoints to inspect documentation. Some tourists were held and questioned about their travel purposes in the period following the coup. Presidential elections held in April 2025 passed peacefully, though legislative elections scheduled for September 2025 may lead to temporary security adjustments. You should carry identification and evidence of your travel purpose at all times. Curfews may be imposed without notice. Credit card fraud is common outside major hotels, and ATMs present skimming risks.

Extreme Violence

Gabon has no recent history of terrorism, though authorities acknowledge attacks cannot be completely ruled out. The country maintains a low terrorism threat compared to regional neighbors. No major terrorist incidents have occurred in recent years. Some security analysts note that Gabon’s borders with Congo and Cameroon could potentially serve as corridors for movement between countries, though this remains theoretical rather than demonstrated. Pirates have carried out armed attacks on commercial shipping vessels in the Gulf of Guinea coastal waters. The August 2023 military coup that removed President Ali Bongo occurred peacefully without widespread violence or armed clashes. Soldiers seized control of key government buildings and strategic points in Libreville, but the takeover did not result in significant casualties. Human trafficking remains a problem, with Gabon serving as a destination and transit country for trafficked persons from West and Central Africa subjected to forced labor and sexual exploitation. Organized crime focuses primarily on drug trafficking, ivory trade, and illegal logging rather than violence targeting tourists. Forest crimes linked to the timber industry involve high-level corruption but do not typically manifest as violent threats to visitors.

Political Unrest

Following the August 2023 military coup that ended the 56-year Bongo family rule, General Brice Oligui Nguema became transitional president. He won the April 2025 presidential election with approximately 90 percent of the vote, marking the first election since the coup. The situation has stabilized, though authorities maintain higher security alert levels. Legislative elections are scheduled for September 2025, which may bring temporary security adjustments and movement restrictions. Protests and demonstrations can occur with little warning and may turn violent without notice. Even peaceful gatherings can escalate quickly. Police and security forces typically disperse crowds using tear gas or other force. Demonstrations are more common in Libreville and Port Gentil. During periods of political unrest, police checks increase significantly. The transitional government has not shown signs of reimposing restrictive measures seen under the previous regime, though conservative voices have called for policy reversals on some social issues. Most political violence historically occurs during election campaigns but authorities usually bring situations under control relatively quickly. Strikes sometimes occur when workers protest unmet demands. You should avoid all demonstrations, rallies, large public gatherings, and government buildings. Monitor local media continuously and follow instructions from local authorities.

Areas To Avoid

Libreville and Port Gentil face elevated crime levels including robbery, vehicle break-ins, residential burglaries, armed attacks, and occasional rape. These two major cities experience the highest concentration of violent crime incidents. Avoid poorly lit streets, unfamiliar areas of cities, and isolated locations including beaches at all times, particularly after dark. Walking alone or at night in these cities carries significant risk. Urban congested areas become particularly dangerous after dark, though daytime incidents also occur. Markets, transportation hubs, and areas frequented by tourists experience frequent vehicle break-ins and theft. Inland areas beyond Libreville present hazardous driving conditions with poor road infrastructure. During rainy seasons, roads outside urban centers may become impassable without four-wheel-drive vehicles. Rural areas have limited access to emergency services, medical facilities, and police response. Coastal waters in the Gulf of Guinea experience pirate attacks and armed robbery against ships. Border areas with neighboring countries lack comprehensive security infrastructure. Following the August 2023 military takeover, authorities treat tourists with heightened scrutiny throughout the country, though this has lessened somewhat after the April 2025 elections. Avoid taking indirect routes or shared taxis that pick up multiple passengers along the way.