1. Get Your Visa and Yellow Fever Booklet First: Apply for an e-visa in advance and prepare your yellow fever vaccination certificate. Confirm the entry requirements.
2. Malaria Prevention Is a Top Priority: Use mosquito repellent and sleep under a mosquito net throughout your trip. Take antimalarial medication as advised by your doctor if necessary.
3. Pack Rain Gear and Quick-Dry Clothing: Tropical rainforests can bring sudden downpours. Use a waterproof cover for your backpack and choose waterproof, high-top shoes.
4. Book Campsites and Flights Early: National parks have limited capacity, and seats on small inland flights are in high demand.
5. Follow Ecological Guidelines: Do not feed or disturb animals, avoid purchasing wildlife products, and obtain approval before using drones.
6. Carry Enough Cash: Credit cards are not accepted in remote areas or campsites. Bring sufficient Central African CFA francs.
7. Drink Bottled Water: Tap water is not safe to drink directly. Always purify water taken from natural sources in the wild.
8. Be Mindful of Sensitive Areas: Do not take photos freely in oil fields, ports, or government facilities.
9. Allow Buffer Time for Weather: Flights and roads can be affected during the rainy season. Avoid overpacking your itinerary.
10. Emergency Contacts: Dial 117 for police and 18 for fire services. Save the contact information for the embassy or consulate in Gabon and inform your family of your travel plans.

Pre-Departure Checklist

Prepare electronic and paper copies of your passport, e-visa, yellow fever vaccination certificate, antimalarial and other common medications, and your travel insurance policy. Carry cash primarily in euros or Central African CFA francs, and distribute it in different places. Rainforest gear should include long-sleeved shirts and pants, waterproof high-top shoes, rain gear, mosquito repellent, a headlamp, and a power bank. Protect your camera and phone from moisture and sand. Before departure, confirm your bookings for small inland flights and campsites, download offline maps, and share your itinerary, local guide, and campsite contact details with your family. Agree on a daily check-in time. For travel during the rainy season, prepare tickets that can be rebooked in case of flight delays or road disruptions. Additionally, prices in Gabon are relatively high. It’s advisable to prepare for daily expenses with both sufficient cash and a backup bank card plan to avoid travel disruptions due to payment restrictions.