March 1, 2004

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Gabon is a developing nation in west central Africa. French is the official language. Facilities for tourism outside the capital city, Libreville, are available, but are often limited.

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport and visa are required. Proof of yellow fever vaccination may be 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, N.W., Washington, D.C. 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) 686-9720. Overseas, inquiries should be made to the nearest Gabonese embassy or consulate.

In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian if not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure.

SAFETY AND SECURITY: U.S. citizens should maintain security awareness at all times. Large gatherings or any other event where crowds have congregated to demonstrate or protest should be avoided. Taking photographs of military or government buildings is strictly forbidden.

CRIME: In Gabon, petty thievery is common. Violent crime is more common in urban areas and there have been cases of armed robberies in homes and in restaurants frequented by foreigners. While crime in general does not appear to specifically target Americans or westerners, it continues to affect the neighborhoods and establishments frequented by foreigners.

The U.S. Embassy encourages Americans to take extra precautions when traveling in Libreville. To prevent carjacking, citizens are encouraged to travel with their automobile windows up and doors locked. Marginal neighborhoods, poorly lit streets and unfamiliar areas of the city should be avoided, especially at night. Walking or running on the beach alone at night should be avoided. If you do decide to visit the beach at night, do so with friends. When dining in restaurants or visiting markets, it is recommended that you carry only minimal amounts of cash and avoid wearing excessive amounts of jewelry. The Embassy encourages citizens to choose restaurants with locked entrances and security guards to minimize the risk of armed attacks. Credit cards are not widely accepted except at hotels, and because of the high rates of credit card fraud, their use is not recommended. If involved in an attempted robbery or carjacking, citizens are encouraged to comply with attackers to avoid injury and to report all incidents to the police and to the U.S. Embassy.

If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to the local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends, and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.

The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. U.S. citizens may refer to the Department of State's pamphlets, A Safe Trip Abroad and Tips for Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa, for ways to promote a more trouble-free journey. The pamphlets are available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.gpoaccess.gov, or via the Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities in Gabon 's major cities are limited, but are generally adequate for routine or basic needs. Medical services in rural areas are generally unavailable. Additionally, some medicines are not available; travelers should carry required, properly labeled medicines and medications with them.

MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas including emergency services such as medical evacuations.

When making a decision regarding health insurance, Americans should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service and that a medical evacuation to the U.S. may cost well in excess of 50,000 dollars ( US ). Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties. When consulting with your insurer prior to your trip, ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.

Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure, Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page.

OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: Malaria is found in many parts of Central Africa, including Gabon. P. falciparum malaria, the serious and sometimes fatal strain in Gabon, is resistant to the anti-malarial drug chloroquine. Because travelers to Gabon are at high risk for contracting malaria, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise that travelers should take one of the following antimalarial drugs: mefloquine (Lariam™), doxycycline, or atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone™). The CDC has determined that a traveler who is on an appropriate antimalarial drug has a greatly reduced chance of contracting the disease. Travelers who become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in a malaria-risk area and up to one year after returning home should seek prompt medical attention and tell the physician their travel history and what antimalarials they have been taking. For additional information on malaria, protection from insect bites, and antimalarials, please visit the CDC Travelers' Health website at: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/malaria.

In recent years, Gabon has been subject to limited outbreaks of Ebola hemorrhagic fever, which have generally been confined to remote rural areas of the country. Ebola is a severe, often fatal viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) that is transmitted by contact with an infected person's blood, bodily fluids and tissues. The virus is not transmitted through casual contact, and it is only contagious during its active phase. No vaccine or antiviral medication is available for treatment of Ebola hemorrhagic fever.

As a precautionary measure, persons should avoid funeral rites that involve close proximity to the deceased or funeral attendees. Rapid spread of the virus in hospitals and other health-care settings, and through eating or handling dead, infected primates, have also been important contributing factors in previous outbreaks of Ebola. More information on Ebola may be found on the World Health Organization's web site at http://www.who.int/en and http://www.who.int/ith, as well as on the CDC's web site at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/spb/index.htm.

Further information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect-bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at telephone 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via CDC's Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov.

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Gabon is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Travel by road in Gabon can be hazardous. It is recommended that you drive with your windows up and your doors locked. Travelers are routinely stopped at police checkpoints within cities and on highways. Travelers should use extreme caution when driving after dark. Two-lane roads are the norm throughout Gabon. Roads to outlying cities have both visible and hidden dangers that are profuse, including large potholes, absence of road signs, poor to nonexistent streetlights, and the presence of pedestrians and animals. Construction work is often poorly indicated. 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. Such services are nonexistent outside of the city. Service stations are available along main roads, but vehicle repair facilities are not always available. Drivers must have a valid international driver's license (available from AAA and the American Automobile Routing Alliance in the United States ) when driving in Gabon.

Use of taxis is generally safe but does pose added risks. It is recommended that you use a hotel taxi and ride with friends when possible Riding in a taxi alone or during late hours of the evening is not recommended and creates additional risk of becoming a victim of crime. Rail services are available, but travelers should be prepared for delays.

For additional general information about road safety, including links to foreign government sites, see the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, home page at http://travel.state.gov/road_safety.html.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service between the United States and Gabon by local carriers at present, nor economic authority to operate such service, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Gabon 's Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with international aviation safety standards. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA's Internet website at http://www.intl.faa.gov. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air services for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact the DOD at (618) 229-4801.

All aircraft landing at Leon Mba International Airport in Libreville are assessed airport landing fees, which must be paid in cash. The exchange rate for U.S. dollars at the airport is unfavorable, particularly for payments in large-denomination bills; payment in Euro or Central African Francs (CFA) avoids exchange rate loss.

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Gabon 's laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs in Gabon are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines.

CONSULAR ACCESS: U.S. citizens are encouraged to carry a copy of their U.S. passports with them at all times, so that if questioned by local officials, proof of identity and U.S. citizenship are readily available. In accordance with the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, a U.S. citizen in prison, custody or detention in Gabon should be given access to a U.S. consular officer. U.S. citizen travelers arriving in Gabon without visas have occasionally been detained at the airport. Any U.S. citizen so detained should immediately request access to a consular officer from the U.S. Embassy. All U.S. citizens traveling to Gabon should obtain appropriate visas before arriving in Gabon.

CURRENCY INFORMATION: A cash-based economy prevails in Gabon. Prices for consumer goods on average are significantly higher in Gabon than in other sub-Saharan African countries. Travelers are advised to check with local establishments to determine what type of bankcard usage is permitted. Some hotels accept various credit cards. In addition to cash, some grocery stores will accept Visa bankcards (debit cards), but most will ask for the four-digit PIN. Other institutions take only locally issued Visa cards. Additionally, phone connections used to verify internationally issued Visa cards are occasionally down, making these cards non-functional. Traveler's checks may be cashed at local banks.

CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, please refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/children's_issues.html or telephone (202) 736-7000.

REGISTRATION AND EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living in or visiting Gabon are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Libreville and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Gabon. The U.S. Embassy is located on Boulevard de la Mer. The mailing address is Centre Ville, B.P. 4000, Libreville, Gabon. The telephone numbers are (241) 76-20-03 or (241) 76-20-04.

* * *

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated March 11, 2003, to update the sections on Entry/Exit Requirements, Safety and Security, Crime, Other Health Information, Traffic Safety and Road Conditions, Aviation Safety Oversight, and Consular Access.

Return to Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings Page

Other Government Websites

• First Gov Service Locator
• U.S. Department of Justice
• The White House
• more >