The Gabonese authorities have suspended all commercial flights (national and international), with the exception of unforeseen incidents, medical evacuation and transport of goods – as well as a number of other restrictions. For more information about coronavirus, see the section Health.
Safety
Most trips to Gabon are completed without any special problems. The greatest risk is related to poor infrastructure or transport security, especially outside the larger cities. No Norwegian travel advice has been made for Gabon.
Responsible Norwegian Embassy for Gabon is
Royal Norwegian Embassy in Luanda
Tel: +244 222 447 522/447 922 • +47 23981902/19
Fax: +244 222 446 248
Address: Rua Garcia Neto nº 9, Miramar, CP 3835, Luanda, Angola
Email: emb.luanda@mfa.no
Website: http://www.norway.no/angola/
The danger of terror in Gabon is considered low. Personal security is relatively good. Serious violent crime is rare. It is normally not dangerous to drive alone in a car. One should not walk on foot after dark. Always carry a passport wherever you are for possible stick checks.
There is a right-hand drive in Libreville, and the city has good traffic flow. Traffic police are present at major intersections during rush hour. Traffic accidents lead to large crowds. If you have caused personal injury, a mood of lightning may occur. For safety reasons, it is recommended to drive to the nearest police station and report the accident. At the same time, it should also be reported to your own contacts.
If you are traveling inland and it is possible to fly, then this is strongly recommended. The road network outside Libreville is poor and four-wheel drive vehicles are needed. It is an advantage to travel several cars together. There are often more or less official checks carried out by the police and the army. It is advisable to consult before departure on necessary documents and equipment that must be presented at check-in.
There is no rescue service if the accident is out, so it is difficult to get the necessary help when needed. It is therefore important to have sufficient spare/spare equipment for longer trips outside the city.
In connection with elections, there may be a greater risk to safety due to possible riots and one should therefore exercise extra caution just before, during and immediately after elections. One should steer clear of demonstrations and larger gatherings of people. The next election in Gabon is in August 2016.
Gabon does not have any legislation that prohibits homosexuality, but there is still great prejudice against LGBT people and discrimination can occur, both from the government and private.
Norwegian citizens staying for a short or long time in Gabon are encouraged to register at www.reiseregistrering.no. Norwegian citizens are encouraged to have valid travel insurance
In the event of a crisis or emergency, the embassy can be contacted on +244 222 44 9936 or +244 222 44 7922 or the UD’s 24-hour operating center on tel: +47 23 95 00 00
The Norwegian Embassy (Embaixada Real Da Noruega) has the address
Rua Garcia Neto 9, CP 3835 Miramar, Luanda, Angola.
Outside the embassy’s opening hours, the public can contact the UD’s 24-hour operating center on tel: +47 23 95 0000 or by e-mail: UDops@mfa.no
Entry
Please note that entry regulations may change. The Foreign Service is not responsible if the following information on entry regulations or visa requirements is changed at short notice. It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that travel documents are valid for entry and to familiarize themselves with the current entry rules for each country.
A visa is required for Norwegian citizens upon entry into Gabon. It is the traveler’s responsibility to ensure that travel documents, visas and vaccination cards are valid.
Visas are obtained from the consulate in Stockholm. The processing of first-time visas may take several weeks. A written invitation is usually required from the authority/company/organization/embassy which is the contact unit to obtain a visa. It is not possible to obtain a visa at the airport. If you arrive without a valid visa, you will be refused entry to the country and sent back with the same aircraft immediately.
For the latest updated information on entry rules to the country, travelers are encouraged to check with the country’s nearest embassy.
The passport must be valid for at least six months from the last day of travel. Visitors must have a valid yellow fever certificate. In the absence of the latter, you risk being vaccinated at the airport.
Health
Coronavirus (covid-19): Norwegian travelers should keep abreast of the development of the coronavirus. Feel free to follow the local authorities’ advice, guidance and instructions on how to deal with the situation (Infos covid-19 Gabon).
President Ali Bongo Ondimba announced on March 21, 2020 that Gabon will implement a nationwide curfew between 7:30 pm and 6:00 am. This will take effect from March 22, 2020, for an indefinite duration.
The Gabonese government has implemented a number of measures to limit the spread of covid-19, including the following:
- All commercial flights (national and international) are suspended, except for unforeseen incidents, medical evacuation and carriage of goods.
- All land, sea and air boundaries are closed except for shipping.
- All train transport is canceled, with the exception of freight trains and trains carrying petroleum products.
- All types of transport by sea, river and lagoon are prohibited, except for the carriage of goods.
- Any collection of religious, political or trade-related nature is prohibited. Meetings with more than ten people are also prohibited.
- All preschools, schools and universities are closed. Students and teachers must stay home.
- Bars, nightclubs and restaurants (with the exception of the restaurants that offer home delivery) are closed.
- Markets will only be open to sell food. Motels, clothing stores, jewelry stores, tailoring and cafeterias are closed. Hairdressing salons can only receive one customer at a time.
- Supermarkets, bakeries, pharmacies, gas station, car and tire shop will keep open, but customers must keep a distance of at least one meter.
- Only three people are allowed in private vehicles at a time. For public transport, there are a maximum of nine passengers in 18-seater buses, three passengers in regular taxis, and ten passengers in buses with 30 seats. Drivers in all public transport must wear gloves and masks, as well as have available disinfectant products. Passengers must also disinfect their hands when boarding.
- Non-essential movements will be restricted in cities, between cities and inland.
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The standard and quality of health services, clinics and hospitals are variable, often low. Evacuation to Europe or South Africa in case of serious accidents, surgeries and births is common. A comprehensive and good health insurance is therefore necessary.
The public hospitals in the country are generally of poor quality, both in terms of equipment, hygiene and staff qualifications. There are private clinics that can treat less complicated diseases. Should local treatment be needed, the following hospitals may be among the options:
Clinique du Dr. Biyogue
B.P. 3925
Montagne Saint
Libreville
Tel: (241-1) 742964
Clinique du Littoral
BP 2384
Port-Gentil
Tel: (241-2) 565013
Fax: (241-2) 551200
Hôpital Albert Schweitzer
B.P.118
Lambar¨¦n¨¦
Tel: (241-2) 581099
Fax: (241-2) 581196
Email: chercheurs@lambarene.mimcom.net
Website: http://www.lambarene.org/
Pharmacies exist and they are relatively well equipped. However, it is recommended that you bring a small travel pharmacy, especially if you travel outside the larger cities.
There is a high risk of malaria, brain malaria also occurs and it is therefore recommended that you follow an anti-malaria program after consulting a doctor. It is recommended to sleep under mosquito nets and use mosquito nets/ sprays when staying out after dark. Sanitary and hygienic conditions are poor. Water cannot be drunk from the tap. It must be filtered and boiled or bottled mineral water is purchased. However, diarrhea, amoeba or allergic reactions from water/food and air pollution appear to occur.
Always on entry and sometimes on departure, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required. Other vaccines, such as for polio, jaundice, cholera etc. should be taken in accordance with the recommendations obtained by contacting the Health Council or other medical offices.
Practical information
There is no time difference between Gabon and Norway, except for the period when there is daylight saving time in Norway – then Gabon is one hour behind. According to allcitycodes, Gabon area code is +241.
Libreville (the capital) has 220 volts, and ordinary Norwegian sockets can be used. Power outages occur frequently and a separate generator is required. One should use UPS/power stabilizer for PCs, TV, stereo etc.
French is the official language that is often read and understood by people across the country. More than half of the population speak fang, a national language.
Only at the largest hotels you can settle for by credit card. The Norwegian krone cannot be exchanged. The US dollar is the current currency. Some local businesses also accept euros. There are ATMs where you can withdraw local currency with Visa card. The local currency is Central African Franc (XAF).
The local telephone network is unreliable. That’s why most people use mobile networks found in Libreville. These work satisfactorily both nationally and internationally. Internet service providers offer connection at relatively good speed.
It is very important to get your ticket confirmed well in advance of your departure from Libreville. Upon departure one expects approx. three hour margin for check-in. Most airlines today require the traveler to personally check in their luggage. Airport charges must be paid, which are normally paid upon confirmation of the ticket before departure.
Photography, especially at the airport and in public places, should be avoided.