Travel Notes: Africa - Gabon Travel Notes.
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Gabon's natural beauty and diverse terrain offers a range of adventurous experiences, from exploring the deep jungle to encountering unique wildlife.
Gabon has a number of tourist-friendly destinations, including the capital city of Libreville and Port Gentil. However, tourism in Gabon remains relatively limited compared to other countries in the region, and the infrastructure may not be as robust as in other destinations.
Countries neighbouring Gabon: Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon and Republic of Congo.
Mapping Gabon
The Republique Gabonaise straddles the Equator.
Gabon is bordered by Equatorial Guinea to the north-west, Cameroon to the north-east, the Republic of Congo to the south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
The capital of Gabon is Libreville.
Gabon Overview
Located in Central Africa, Gabon is a beautiful and diverse country with a unique culture and rich natural resources.
Gabon has a mixed economy that relies heavily on oil production, which accounts for over 80% of the country's export earnings.
Other key industries in Gabon include timber, manganese mining, and fishing.
Gabon is known for its diverse wildlife and ecotourism opportunities.
About 10% of the country's land is protected, and there are 13 national parks in Gabon, including the Ivindo National Park and the Loango National Park.
The country is also home to a large number of endangered species, such as forest elephants, western lowland gorillas, and mandrills.
The official language of Gabon is French, and the currency is the Central African CFA franc.
Gabon has a population of about 2.2 million people, with most living in the urban centers of Libreville, Port-Gentil, and Franceville.
Gabon is a presidential republic, with the President serving as both the head of state and the head of government.
The country has a relatively stable political climate, although there have been some instances of civil unrest and protests in recent years.
This former French colony gained its independence on 17th August, 1960.
Much of the Gabonese Republic is covered in tropical rainforest and bisected by rivers. The principal river being the Ogooue, which is navigable from the Atlantic Ocean to Ndjole.
Visiting Gabon
Located in Central Africa, Gabon is known for its tropical rainforests, diverse wildlife, and vibrant cultural traditions.
If you're interested in visiting Gabon, there are a number of things you might consider doing.
Gabon is home to a number of distinct ethnic groups, each with their own unique cultural traditions.
Some of these traditions include music and dance performances, traditional cuisine, and handicrafts.
You might consider attending a cultural festival or visiting a local artisan market to learn more about Gabonese culture.
Gabon is home to thirteen national parks, covering a tenth of the country's land area.
Some of the most popular parks include Loango National Park, which is known for its pristine beaches and abundant wildlife; and Lopé National Park, which is home to a number of primates and other animals.
Gabon is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including gorillas, chimpanzees, elephants, and a variety of antelope species.
Many tour operators offer guided safaris to see these animals up close and in their natural habitats.
Gabon has a number of beautiful beaches, including the aforementioned beaches in Loango National Park.
Other popular beaches include Pointe Denis Beach, which is located just outside of Libreville, and Port-Gentil Beach, which is known for its calm waters and stunning sunsets.
Before visiting Gabon, be sure to research visa requirements, travel advisories, and any health precautions you should take to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip to Central Africa.
Libreville
Libreville, on the Gabon River estuary, is the capital and major port of the Gabonese Republic.
Libreville is the largest city in Gabon with a number of cultural attractions to interest visitors to Gabon including the National Museum of Arts and Traditions, St. Michael's Cathedral, and the Marche du Mont-Bouet; a bustling market where you can buy a wide variety of goods.
Founded by liberated slaves at the site of a French mission in 1849, Libreville was originally called Gabon.
Radisson Blu Okoume Palace Hotel: 5, Boulevard de Nice, Libreville, Gabon.
Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, this five-star hotel is a perfect place to use as a base for the exploration of Libreville and the fascinating countryside of Gabon.
Large rooms, spotless beds and a tasty breakfast earned the Radisson Blu Okoume Palace Hotel rave reviews from its guests.
Getting Around Gabon
Only about 8 per cent of Gabon's 7,535 km of roads, are surfaced.
A major road crosses Gabon from north to south, linking the country with Loubomo, in the Republic of Congo, and Douala, in Cameroon.
There is a rail link through Mbinda, in the Republic of Congo, with the Pointe Noire- Brazzaville Line.
In 1974 construction began on the Trans Gabon Railway; with the section between Libreville's port of Owendo and Booue being completed in 1982.
The extension to Franceville in the south-east was opened in 1986, and a spur to the iron-ore deposits of the north-east was begun in the early 1990s.
The River Ogooue and its tributaries, the Ivindo and Ngounie rivers, are navigable.
The rainy seasons in Gabon are from February to April, and October to November.
Port-Gentil
Port-Gentil, the capital of Ogooue-Maritime Prefecture, is located in western Gabon; on an island in the Ogooue River estuary, east of Cape Lopez.
Originally a hunting camp called Mandji-Oroungou, a French post was established here in 1885.
Gabon Language and Culture
The official language of Gabon is French, although the majority of Gabonese are Bantu-speaking; the Fang, being the largest of the ethnic groups.
Gabon Maps and Travel Guides
Gabon Travel Guides - Gabon Maps.
Weather in Africa:
Local weather forecasts for destinations around Africa.
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