Complete Guide to Gabon: Visa, Travel, Investment & Important Facts
The most exhaustive Complete Guide to Gabon: Visa, Travel, Investment & Important Facts ever created for 2025-2026 – featuring Gabon eVisa & visa on arrival, surfing hippos of Loango, mandrills in Lopé, investment in timber & manganese, medivac & scenic flights, safety, SIM cards and everything you need for luxury Gabon travel or serious business.
Loango National Park – The place where hippos surf (Complete Guide to Gabon: Visa, Travel, Investment & Important Facts)
Introduction: Why Gabon is Africa’s Last Eden & Green Industrial Giant
Covering 268,000 km² with 80% pristine rainforest and only ~2.4 million people, Gabon protects 13 national parks (11% of territory) and is carbon-positive. Famous for surfing hippos, forest elephants on beaches, and the highest density of western lowland gorillas. This Complete Guide to Gabon: Visa, Travel, Investment & Important Facts unlocks the easiest and safest high-end African destination in 2025.
Gabon Independence Date: August 17, 1960
Gabon gained independence from France on August 17, 1960. Celebrated with military parades in Libreville and traditional dances across the country.
How to Get Gabon Visa in 2025-2026 (eVisa + On Arrival)
Super easy: Gabon eVisa online at evisa.dgdi.ga – approved in 72 hours. Also visa on arrival at Libreville airport for most nationalities.
| Type | Validity | Cost | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| eVisa Tourist | 30–90 days | €70 / USD 85 | 72 hours |
| Visa on Arrival | 30 days | €80 cash | At airport |
| Business eVisa | Up to 6 months | €185 | 72 hours |
- Passport valid 6+ months
- Yellow fever certificate mandatory
- Return ticket & hotel booking
Top Places to Visit in Gabon
- Loango National Park – Surfing hippos, beach elephants, whale watching
- Lopé National Park (UNESCO) – Mandrill tracking & historic rainforest train
- Ivindo National Park (UNESCO) – Kongou & Djidji waterfalls
- Pongara National Park – Leatherback turtle nesting
- Libreville – L’Arboretum, Marché du Mont-Bouët, luxury resorts
- Port-Gentil – Oil city with beaches & nightlife
Gabon Map – 13 national parks covering 11% of territory
How to Invest in Gabon – 2025 Opportunities
One-stop shop: ANPI-Gabon. 100% foreign ownership allowed.
- Timber – World’s largest okoumé exporter
- Manganese – 25% of global production
- Special Economic Zone Nkoko (tax-free)
- Eco-tourism – Government targeting 200,000 visitors by 2030
Gabon Economy – Key Statistics 2025
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| GDP (2025 est.) | USD 22.5 billion |
| GDP per capita | ~USD 9,300 |
| Growth rate | 3.8% |
| Main exports | Oil, timber, manganese |
How to Buy a SIM Card in Gabon
Airtel (best coverage in parks), Moov Africa or Bintel. Buy at Libreville airport. Passport registration. 10 GB ≈ 6,000–8,000 XAF.
Who is the President of Gabon?
Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema – Transitional president since the August 30, 2023 coup that ended 56 years of Bongo family rule.
Aviation Services in Gabon – Medivac, Scenic Flights, Helicopter Tours
KiliFlying Air offers:
- 24/7 Medivac from Loango & Lopé camps
- Scenic flights over Ivindo waterfalls
- Helicopter transfers to offshore oil platforms
- Charters Libreville → Loango → Lopé
Safety & Travel Tips for Gabon 2025-2026
- One of Africa’s safest and most stable countries
- Yellow fever vaccination mandatory
- French is the official language
- Best season: June–September
Your Gabon Adventure Starts Here
This Complete Guide to Gabon: Visa, Travel, Investment & Important Facts is the deepest resource online. Contact KiliFlying Air for seamless connections from East Africa to Libreville and beyond.
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