Gabon is not the most popular place in West Africa: difficulties in obtaining an entry visa and incredibly high prices can scare away even an experienced traveler. However, those who come here rarely return home disappointed...
Gabon is a country where tropical jungles neighbor neon signs of luxury casinos and wild animals create traffic jams on city highways clogged with humming cars. The French influence and the rapid development of the economy have practically destroyed the traditional African culture, but this fact does not mean that the Gabonese land has nothing to offer the traveler...
Geography
The Republic of Gabon is located in Central Africa, on the southern coast of the Gulf of Guinea. It is washed by the Atlantic Ocean. It borders Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon and the Republic of Congo. It covers an area of half of France. Gabon's interior is plateau and mountains (up to 1580 m high, Ibundzhi), with a vast lowland along the Atlantic Ocean.
Traditions and customs
- 1.155 million people are living in the country. These are mainly the Bantu language family peoples - Fang, Bateke, Mpongwe, Eshira, Bapunu, Mbete, Punu, Makoto and others. There are more than 40 groups in total. The southeast is inhabited by the Bateke and Bavili peoples of the Congo, and the forests are inhabited by stunted Pygmies. Europeans are mainly represented by French specialists, and there are about 30 thousand of them.
- Point-Denis and Ekvata Beach are considered to be fashionable and the best sea resorts of the country. Which have excellent beaches and numerous bars, restaurants and sports grounds? In the area of Port Moe, there are water sports and entertainment centers, which provide a full range of services - from the rental of boats and yachts to walks under the guidance of experienced staff along the coast in canoeing and windsurfing.
- The city of Lambarene is famous for its Schweitzer Hospital, a major cultural and scientific center, part of which is dedicated to a unique museum of ethnography and missionary work. From Lambarene you can make a river trip on pies to Lake Evaro (recommended only in the dry season), during which you can observe the life of local nature in all its diversity from the water.
- The area of Cape Lopez on the island of Manji (near Port Gentil) is a fashionable and quite expensive by African standards resort area, full of casinos, nightclubs, and bars, a favorite place of rest of rich Gabonese people and staff of European companies.
- One of the most beautiful parts of the coast is occupied by the natural reserve Lope, which organizes permanent jeep safaris on its territory. Opened in 1982, the park has in its territory untouched areas of savannah and wet equatorial forests, saturated with unique representatives of local flora and fauna.
- Wonga Wong, Okanda, Ikuela, and other national parks are also interesting. Located 400 km away from the capital city of Lasturville, the city serves as a starting point for a trip to the picturesque waterfalls of Boundji, which are located within the city limits.
- Makoku is one of the most beautiful cities in the country. Situated in the upper reaches of the Ivindo River, this small town is surrounded by magnificent mountain ranges, overgrown with pristine forests. Particularly popular here is the river rafting to Loa Loa Loa, visits to Pygmy villages, multi-day mountain biking tours, and one of the few remaining African black gorilla populations on earth.
- When traveling around the country it is necessary to take into account that filming and video shooting of defense and state objects is prohibited, as well as airports, railway, and sea stations, ports, including the international one - Leon Mba of Libreville. Also, the shooting of cult ceremonies, national dances, etc. in different localities can be carried out only with the permission of the village or clan elders, as well as, preferably, the head of the local administration.
The main event of the cultural calendar is the celebration of Independence Day, which lasts for several days and is accompanied by noisy mass festivities. Gabonese believers celebrate the main religious holidays: Christians pay special attention to Easter and Christmas, Muslims to the holy month of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr and the Tabasco Festival.
Taxis or buses can be used to travel between cities. Taxis are very expensive. And often there is no other alternative. During the rainy season, taxis can be dangerous because of the slippery roads. Also, some drivers are often drunk. Relatively not the route of travel by minibus.