Gabon Visa RequirementsFor United Kingdom passport holders
British citizens need an eVisa to visit Gabon, obtainable online before travel. The Gabon eVisa costs approximately $70 USD and allows stays of up to 90 days. Gabon is Central Africa's most accessible eco-tourism destination, with 88% forest cover, 13 national parks protecting gorillas, forest elephants, and mandrills, and an extraordinary Atlantic coast.
United Kingdom passport holders must apply for an electronic visa (eVisa) online before traveling to Gabon.
Apply for a Gabon eVisa online before travel (check the official Gabon eVisa portal). The fee is approximately $70 USD for a tourist visa. Required: valid British passport (minimum 6 months validity), passport photo, travel dates, accommodation details, and yellow fever vaccination certificate (mandatory for entry into Gabon). Apply at least 1 week before travel; processing typically takes 3-5 business days. Print the approved eVisa to carry with your passport. Yellow fever vaccination is strictly enforced at Gabon's ports of entry.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Allowed
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
For Your Visa Application
Valid British passport (minimum 6 months validity)
Passport photo
Yellow fever vaccination certificate (mandatory)
Travel dates and accommodation details
Required at Entry
Printed Gabon eVisa
Yellow fever vaccination certificate
Valid British passport
Current Travel Situation
United Kingdom to Gabon: What You Need to Know
Gabon introduced an eVisa system making it more accessible for Western visitors. Gabon is one of Africa's most forested and biodiverse countries, with 88% of its territory covered by equatorial rainforest, home to 60% of Africa's forest elephant population, western lowland gorillas, and mandrills (the world's largest monkey by weight). Gabon has one of Africa's highest per-capita incomes due to oil revenues. The UK-Gabon relationship includes historical Commonwealth and Francophone African diplomatic ties. Gabon's 13 national parks (established in 2002 by President Omar Bongo) have made it a major eco-tourism destination, and Loango National Park (where forest meets ocean) has been called "Africa's Last Eden."
How to Get There
No direct UK-Gabon flights exist. Connect to Libreville (LBV) via Paris (Air France, excellent West African connections), Casablanca (Royal Air Maroc), or Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines). Brussels Airlines connects some West-Central African routes. Total journey from London to Libreville is approximately 10-16 hours.
Money & Banking
Gabon uses the Central African CFA franc (XAF), pegged to the euro. Gabon is moderately expensive by African standards due to oil wealth. Budget $100-200 USD per day for mid-range travel. Eco-lodge accommodation near national parks costs $150-500+ per night. Libreville is an expensive city with limited budget options. Carry USD or EUR cash as international cards may not work reliably outside major hotels.
Practical Tips
Loango National Park: the extraordinary sight of forest elephants on the beach, hippos in the ocean surf, and humpback whales offshore (July-September). The park is accessible only by boat from Port Gentil or small aircraft. Lopé National Park (UNESCO): mixed forest-savannah ecosystem with forest elephants, western lowland gorillas, and extraordinary biodiversity, accessible by train from Libreville. Ivindo National Park: Kongou Falls (one of Africa's most powerful waterfalls), forest elephants bathing at Langoue Bai (a mineral-rich forest clearing). Libreville: the presidential quarter and the vibrant La Sabliere beachfront. Gabon offers some of the world's best whale watching (humpback whales, July-September, off the Atlantic coast).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do British citizens need a visa for Gabon?
Yes. UK passport holders need a Gabon eVisa, applied online before travel. The fee is approximately $70 USD and processing takes 3-5 business days. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for entry.
What is the best time to visit Gabon for wildlife?
June to September (the Gabonese dry season) is best for wildlife in the national parks. July to September is the peak for humpback whale sightings off the Atlantic coast. Forest elephants on the beach at Loango National Park can be seen year-round but are most frequent June-September.
Is Gabon safe for British tourists?
Gabon is one of Central Africa's more stable and safe countries for tourists. Crime levels in Libreville are low by regional standards. National parks are well-managed. Check the UK Foreign Office travel advice for current conditions, particularly regarding any political developments.