Gabon
Travelers go to Gabon for rainforest, national parks and wildlife, including gorillas, chimpanzees and forest elephants, on an Atlantic coast that sits on the equator.
Gabon sits on the equator, on the Atlantic side of Central Africa, and shares borders with Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon and the Republic of the Congo. Libreville, on the Komo estuary, is the capital and largest city. Port-Gentil is called the economic capital, and Franceville is another major city. Coastal plains run along the Atlantic, the Crystal Mountains rise northeast of Libreville, the Chaillu Massif fills the centre, and savanna covers the east. Much of the country is still forest.
Gabon has 13 national parks, which together cover roughly 10% of the land. Lopé and Ivindo national parks are both UNESCO World Heritage sites, and Lopé houses a gorilla and chimpanzee study station. The country is an important refuge for chimpanzees and gorillas, with forest elephants, giant pangolins and many endemic species. The climate is equatorial and hot, with average temperatures of about 21 to 27°C and humidity near 85%. The main rainy season runs from February to May. Only about 10% of the roughly 9,170 km road network is paved, so allow extra time between towns.
Five things to know before Gabon
- Apply for a visa before you travel
UK passport holders must apply for a visa before travel, and the UK says the Gabon High Commission is the most reliable route. Tourists need a hotel booking or a hotel letter. Check other passports with an embassy. Visas and entry
- Carry your yellow fever certificate
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter Gabon.
- Book park stays as a package
Loango and Lopé are reached by charter flight, boat or the Transgabonais train, and lodges usually arrange transfers. Book the lodge and transport together.
- Plan for the long dry season
June to September is the main dry season, with humpback whales off Loango from about July to September. The heaviest rain falls from October to May.
- Bring enough cash for the parks
Cards work in some Libreville hotels, but lodges and villages need CFA francs in cash. Withdraw in Libreville before heading out.
Gabon travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
The visa, hotel bookings and yellow fever proof.
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for remote parks, boats and light aircraft.
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData in Libreville and what works in the parks.
Read the guideMoney and cardsCFA francs and cash needs outside Libreville.
Read the guideGetting aroundThe Transgabonais train, charter flights and boats.
Read the guide
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryRain30 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Short dry spellJanuaryRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 338 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Short dry spell
- FebruaryRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°RainyFebruaryRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 302 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- MarchRain28 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°RainyMarchRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 384 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- AprilRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°WettestAprilRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 373 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- MayRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Rains easeMayRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 372 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains ease
- JuneRain17 rainy daysHigh27°Low23°Dry, cloudyJuneRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 123 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, cloudy
- JulyPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh26°Low23°Dry, whalesJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 37 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, whales
- AugustRain14 rainy daysHigh26°Low23°Dry, whalesAugustRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, whales
- SeptemberRain22 rainy daysHigh27°Low23°Dry, whalesSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 193 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, whales
- OctoberRain30 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Rains startOctoberRain
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 513 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains start
- NovemberRain30 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°WettestNovemberRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 572 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- DecemberRain30 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°RainyDecemberRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 381 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
Average daily high and low in Libreville, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Gabon
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
26
- Feels like
- 28°
- Humidity
- 87%
- Wind
- 12 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 90%
Libreville
09:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today30°24°90%Monday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Tue29°24°98%Tuesday: Rain. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Wed29°24°100%Wednesday: Rain. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu29°24°95%Thursday: Rain. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 95%.
- Fri29°24°95%Friday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 95%.
- Sat29°24°98%Saturday: Rain. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Sun30°23°97%Sunday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 97%.
Updated 07:05 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 587.8 XAF
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Gabon FAQ
Do I need a visa for Gabon?
Yes. UK passport holders must apply before travel, most reliably through the Gabon High Commission, with a hotel booking or hotel letter for tourism. A yellow fever certificate is also required to enter.
When is the best time to visit Loango?
June to September, the dry season, when humpback whales pass offshore from about July. Elephants and other wildlife can be seen year round.
How do I get to Lopé National Park?
By the Transgabonais train from Libreville, or by road. Lodges near the park arrange pickups from the station.
Is Gabon expensive to visit?
Yes. Park trips rely on charter flights, boats and lodge packages, and Libreville hotels are pricey. Budget travel is hard.
What language is spoken in Gabon?
French is the official language and widely spoken. English is limited outside some lodges.