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Consular
Information
 COUNTRY
DESCRIPTION: Gabon is a developing nation in west
central Africa. French is the official language. Facilities
for tourism outside the capital city, Libreville, are
available, but often limited.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A
passport and visa are required. Visas must be obtained in
advance, as airport visas are no longer available. Travelers
should obtain the latest information and details from the
Embassy of Gabon, 2035 20th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20009, telephone (202) 797-1000. Travelers may also contact
the Gabonese Consulate at 18 East 41st St., Ninth Floor, New
York, NY 10017, telephone (212) 686-6720. Overseas inquiries
should be made to the nearest Gabonese embassy or
consulate.
In an effort to prevent international
child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures
at entry/exit points. These often include requiring
documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the
child's travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian not
present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not
required, may facilitate entry/departure.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: In view
of recent incidents, the Embassy encourages all U.S.
citizens to take extra precautions when traveling in
Libreville. To prevent carjacking, citizens are encouraged
to travel with their windows up and doors locked at all
times. Marginal neighborhoods of the city should be avoided,
especially at night. All citizens should avoid walking alone
on the beach or other isolated areas, even in daylight. When
dining in restaurants or visiting markets, carry only
minimal amounts of cash and avoid wearing excessive amounts
of jewelry. The Embassy encourages citizens to choose
restaurants with locked entrances and security guards to
minimize the risk of armed attacks. If involved in an armed
robbery attempt or carjacking, citizens are encouraged to
comply with attackers to avoid injury and to report all
incidents to the Embassy.
CRIME: In Gabon, petty
thievery is common. Violent crime is common in urban areas
and armed robberies are occurring with greater frequency.
The Embassy alerts the American community to exercise
caution in the wake of rising criminal activity in
Libreville. Home robberies and armed attacks on restaurants
frequented by foreigners are becoming more commonplace.
Increasing brazen attacks on well-known establishments even
during daylight hours suggest a developing trend. While the
incidents do not appear to specifically target Americans or
westerners, they continue to affect neighborhoods and
establishments frequented by foreigners.
In Libreville, U.S. citizens should
avoid walking alone on the beach or in other isolated areas,
even in daylight; the beach should be avoided altogether
during the evening hours. Marginal neighborhoods of the city
should be avoided, especially at night. Carry only minimal
amounts of cash when visiting markets.
The loss or theft abroad of a U.S.
passport should be reported immediately to local police and
to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. U.S. citizens may
refer to the Department of State's pamphlet, "A Safe Trip
Abroad," for ways to promote a more trouble-free journey.
The pamphlet is available by mail from the Superintendent of
Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.
20402, via the Internet at
http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs, or via the Bureau of
Consular Affairs home page at
http://travel.state.gov.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical
facilities in Gabon's major cities are limited, but
generally adequate for routine or basic needs. Medical
services in rural areas are generally unavailable.
Additionally, some medicines are not available; travelers
should carry required medicines and medications with
them.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The
Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with
their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to
confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it
will cover emergency expenses such as medical evacuation.
U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs
incurred outside the United States unless supplemental
coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid
programs do not provide payment for medical services outside
the United States. However, many travel agents and private
companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care
expenses incurred overseas including emergency services such
as medical evacuations.
When making a decision regarding
health insurance, Americans should consider that many
foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior
to providing service and that a medical evacuation to the
U.S. may cost well in excess of 50,000 dollars (US).
Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often
face extreme difficulties, whereas travelers who have
purchased overseas medical insurance have, when a medical
emergency occurs, found it life-saving. When consulting with
your insurer prior to your trip, ascertain whether payment
will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or whether
you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some
insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric
treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of
death.
Useful information on medical
emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs,
is provided in the Department of State's Bureau of Consular
Affairs brochure, Medical Information for Americans
Traveling Abroad, available via the Bureau of Consular
Affairs home page or autofax: (202) 647-3000.
OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION:
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions may
be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention's hotline for international travelers at
telephone 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-934-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAX
(1-888-232-3299), or by visiting the CDC's Internet site at
http://www.cdc.gov.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD
CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens
may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from
those in the United States. The information below concerning
Gabon is provided for general reference only, and may not be
totally accurate in a particular location or
circumstance.
Safety of Public Transportation:
Poor
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance:
Poor
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance:
Poor
Availability of Roadside/Ambulance
Assistance: Poor/Limited
Travel by road in Gabon can be
hazardous. It is recommended that you drive with your
windows up and your doors locked. Travelers are routinely
stopped at police checkpoints within cities and on highways.
Travelers should use extreme caution when driving after
dark. Two lane roads are the norm throughout Gabon. Roads to
outlying cities have visible and hidden dangers that are
profuse, including large potholes, absence of road signs,
poor to non-existent streetlights, and the presence of
pedestrians and animals. Construction work is often poorly
indicated. Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended for
travel beyond the paved road to Lambarene, especially during
the rainy season. Roadside assistance and emergency medical
services are available in Libreville but may not be
dependable. Such services are nonexistent outside of the
city. Service stations are available along main roads but
vehicle repair facilities are not always available. Drivers
must have a valid international driver's license (available
from AAA and the American Automobile Routing Alliance) when
driving in Gabon.
Daytime use of taxis is generally
safe as long as the rider specifies the "course" (exclusive
use/not shared) to the driver. Rail services are available,
but not dependable. Travelers should be prepared for
delays.
For additional general information
about road safety, including links to foreign government
sites, see the Department of State, Bureau of Consular
Affairs, home page at
http://www.travel.state.gov/road_safety.html.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As
there is no direct commercial air service by local carriers
at present, or economic authority to operate such service,
between the U.S. and Gabon, the U.S. Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) has not assessed Gabon's Civil Aviation
Authority for compliance with international aviation safety
standards.
For further information, travelers
may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S.
at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA internet home page at
http://www.faa.gov.avr/iasa. The U.S. Department of Defense
(DOD) separately assesses some foreign air services for
suitability as official providers of air services. For
information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers,
travelers may contact the DOD at (618) 229-4801.
All aircraft landing at Leon Mba
International Airport in Libreville are assessed airport
landing fees, which must be paid in cash. The exchange rate
for dollars at the airport is extremely unfavorable; payment
in French francs or Central African Francs (CFA) avoids
exchange rate loss.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a
foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's
laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly
from those in the United States and may not afford the
protections available to the individual under U.S. law.
Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in
the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating
Gabon's laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or
imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in
illegal drugs in Gabon are strict and convicted offenders
can expect jail sentences and fines.
CURRENCY INFORMATION:
Travelers are advised to check with local establishments to
determine what type of bankcard usage is permitted. Some
hotels access various credit cards. Many grocery stores take
Visa bankcards only, although, in addition, some will ask
for the four-digit PIN. Other institutions take only locally
issued Visa cards. Additionally, phone connections used to
verify internationally issued Visa cards are occasionally
down, making them non-functional. Traveler's checks may be
cashed at local banks.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For
information on international adoption of children and
international parental child abduction, please refer to our
Internet site at
http://travel.state.gov/children's_issues.html or telephone
(202) 736-7000.
REGISTRATION/EMBASSY AND CONSULATE
LOCATIONS: Americans living in or visiting Gabon are
encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S.
Embassy in Libreville and obtain updated information on
travel and security within Gabon. The U.S. Embassy is
located on Boulevard de la Mer. The mailing address is
Centre Ville, B.P. 4000, Libreville, Gabon. The telephone
numbers are (241) 76-20-03/4 or 74-34-92.
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