Health
Vaccines, malaria, insurance and emergency numbers. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor or an international vaccination centre.
Before you leave
See your doctor or an international vaccination centre well before departure to review your health and vaccinations.
Practical adviceVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, healthRoutine vaccinations must be up to date, especially diphtheria, tetanus, polio, whooping cough and measles, for adults and children alike.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, healthCDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Travelers' Health: GabonOther vaccines may be advised depending on your stay: hepatitis A and B, typhoid and, during an outbreak or for a long stay, chikungunya or dengue. Your doctor will decide.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, healthCDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Travelers' Health: GabonMalaria 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.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, healthCDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Travelers' Health: GabonYellow fever: the international vaccination certificate is required on entry for all travellers aged 9 months or older. The CDC recommends this vaccine for all travellers aged 9 months or older. Rules change: check them before departure and talk to a doctor or an international vaccination centre.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceCDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Travelers' Health: GabonMalaria: according to the CDC, it is present throughout the country. The CDC recommends prescription preventive medicine for travellers to these areas: talk to a doctor before departure, and protect yourself from mosquito bites.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceCDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Travelers' Health: Gabon
Risks on the ground
During the rainy seasons (September to December, February to June), mosquitoes multiply and malaria and chikungunya cases rise sharply.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, healthTaking part in initiation rites involving iboga is strongly advised against: sometimes fatal incidents have been reported.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, safety
Insurance and care
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.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, healthSPF Affaires étrangères (Belgium), Gabon: practical informationOutside Libreville, medical care is basic, which makes road accidents more serious.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, safety
Emergency numbers
According to France: SMUR ambulance 1333. According to the UK: ambulance 117, and SOS Médecins on 1300, 0174 or 0880 depending on your mobile network. Operators may speak only French.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, healthGOV.UK (FCDO), Gabon travel advice: getting helpGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: Gabon
Useful contacts
Contact details taken from the official sources cited. Check them before going.
Emergency numbers
Police 177, public security 13, fire 18 (landline) or 112 (mobile), SMUR ambulance 1333.
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, healthFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026
Sources for this guide
- France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, health · Source updated: September 15, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
- CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Travelers' Health: Gabon · Source updated: August 25, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
- France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Gabon, safety · Source updated: September 15, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
- SPF Affaires étrangères (Belgium), Gabon: practical information · Source updated: June 25, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
- GOV.UK (FCDO), Gabon travel advice: getting help · Source updated: December 10, 2025 · Checked on October 2, 2026
- Government of Canada, Travel advice: Gabon · Source updated: May 26, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
AfriPilot is not an official body. Information comes from the sources cited and may change: each source's date is shown.