Gabon Holidays

Gabon’s dry season tends to be from May to September followed by its rainy season. Another short dry season spans the Christmas period, before the rains return. Although average temperatures only reach 25°C, the humidity, which can be as high as 80%, makes it feel much hotter.

Home to the western lowland gorillas and nearly 200 other mammal species, you can, if lucky, expect to see great wildlife sightings in Gabon. Whale season spans July to September, and between November and January, you can expect to see turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs. In Loango National Park, you can expect to see the smaller forest elephants, red forest buffalo, red river hogs, crocodiles and a huge variety of monkeys.

Gabonese cuisine certainly has a strong French influence, evident in the popularity of baguettes and quiches. Staple foods in the more rural areas can range from cassava, rice and yams to smoked fish and stuffed crab. For those with a sweet tooth, the Gabonese customary dessert of baked bananas will not disappoint.

Swathes of forest, vast lagoons and a limited road network make Gabon a challenging country to travel in. However, safety is rarely a concern, thanks to the country’s stable reputation and fast-developing infrastructure. In recent years, a huge amount of road building has taken place. This means that main roads are usually of a good standard, but smaller roads are still poor and can quickly become impassable during the rainy season.