Reality Brief: Port-Gentil

Current alerts

• Areas requiring vigilance

  France advises extra vigilance on some beaches and in several districts of Libreville, Port-Gentil and Franceville, and particular vigilance at night across the country.

  Published on March 5, 2026 · France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, safety

• Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea

  Recreational sailing is strongly advised against in Gabonese waters because of the piracy risk.

  Published on March 5, 2026 · France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, safety

Alerts checked on October 2, 2026 against the sources cited.

Essentials before you arrive

• All travellers need a visa. Apply before departure, on the website of the Directorate General of Documentation and Immigration or through the Gabonese embassy.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, entry and residenceGOV.UK (FCDO), Gabon travel advice: entry requirementsGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: GabonGuide: Entry and residence

• Your passport must be valid for more than 6 months. Canada specifies 6 months beyond your planned exit date; the UK 6 months after your arrival date.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, entry and residenceGOV.UK (FCDO), Gabon travel advice: entry requirementsGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: GabonGuide: Entry and residence

• Yellow fever vaccination is compulsory and the vaccination record is checked systematically at entry. It is given at an approved centre, preferably at least 10 days before departure.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, entry and residenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, healthGOV.UK (FCDO), Gabon travel advice: entry requirementsCDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Travelers' Health: GabonGuide: Entry and residence

• Insurance covering medical costs, hospitalisation and repatriation is essential: without it, you may be refused care, even in an emergency. The embassy does not pay these costs.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, healthSPF Affaires étrangères (Belgium), Gabon: practical informationGuide: Health

• Malaria is present throughout the country and regularly kills travellers. Prevention combines protection against bites and preventive treatment prescribed by a doctor. Any fever during the stay or after your return requires prompt medical attention.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, healthCDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Travelers' Health: GabonGuide: Health

• According to France: police 177, public security 13, fire brigade 18 from a landline or 112 from a mobile. French consular duty line, 24/7: +241 62 56 96 96.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, healthFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, useful contactsGuide: Safety and emergencies

• The currency is the Central African CFA franc (XAF), pegged to the euro. CFA francs are mostly obtained locally: bring euros and change them at hotels or banks.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, useful informationSPF Affaires étrangères (Belgium), Gabon: practical informationGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: GabonGuide: Money and banking

• Visa and Mastercard are accepted in Libreville's large hotels, restaurants and supermarkets. ATMs exist, but withdrawals are limited.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, useful informationGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: GabonSPF Affaires étrangères (Belgium), Gabon: practical informationGuide: Money and banking

Living in Port-Gentil

• France advises extra vigilance on beaches away from busy sites, in some districts of Libreville (including Petit Louis, Mont Bouet, the bus station, Plaine de Rio, Nkembo, PK5 to PK12), on the beaches between Pointe Chapuy and Cap Lopez, and at the Poto-Poto market in Franceville.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, safetyGuide: Safety and emergencies

• Maritime piracy is a high risk in the Gulf of Guinea, including Gabonese waters: recreational sailing is strongly advised against. Avoid water activities in heavy swell or after dark.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, safetyGuide: Safety and emergencies

• Be vigilant at night everywhere in the country; avoid travelling at night.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, safetyGuide: Safety and emergencies

• Roads and tracks are in poor condition outside Libreville, unlit, with wild animals crossing. Driving at night outside the capital is strongly advised against.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, safetyGOV.UK (FCDO), Gabon travel advice: safety and securityGuide: Safety and emergencies

• Domestic flights are run by airlines of varying quality, some of which are banned in the European Union: check before booking.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, useful informationGuide: Getting around

• Do not photograph people, markets, crowds or official buildings without permission; photographing military sites or airports is illegal. In the provinces, ask the village chief.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, useful informationGOV.UK (FCDO), Gabon travel advice: safety and securityGuide: Daily life and local laws

Field experience

• Tip

  Pharmacies, clinics and hospitals

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): pharmacies (7), clinics (5), hospitals (2). Locate those near your home in the first days and check opening hours and on-call services locally.

• Tip

  Where to shop for food

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): markets (3), supermarkets (4). Compare a few basic prices between market and supermarket before settling into habits.

• Tip

  Banks, cash machines and exchange

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): banks (5), cash machines (4). Withdraw and change money at these official places, preferably during the day, never in the street.

• Tip

  A shop for your SIM card

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): phone and internet (2). Go with your passport: SIM registration is often mandatory.

• Tip

  A furnished flat for the first weeks

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): furnished apartments (1). A furnished flat gives you time to visit several neighbourhoods before signing a lease.

• Emergency numbers

  Police 177, public security 13, fire 18 (landline) or 112 (mobile), SMUR ambulance 1333.

  17713181121333

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, healthFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026

• Consular agency of France in Port-Gentil

  Passport: France

  Honorary consul of France.

  Hôtel Le Ranch, route de Sogara, BP 312 Port-Gentil+241 77 37 21 11consulhonoraire.fr.pog@gmail.com

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026

• Consular agency of France in Moanda-Franceville

  Passport: France

  Honorary consul of France.

  Hôtel restaurant Cœur Samba, Moanda, Haut-Ogooué+241 77 05 06 04jmrichard61@gmail.com

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026

• High Commission of Canada in Cameroon (covering Gabon)

  Passport: Canada

  Canada has no office in Gabon; consular assistance is provided from Yaoundé.

  607 Street 1792, immeuble « Les Colonnades », Nouvelle Bastos, Yaoundé (Cameroun)yunde-consul@international.gc.ca

  Government of Canada, Travel advice: Gabon· Oct 2, 2026