Gabon is a pristine jewel in Central Africa, known as 'Africa's Last Eden' for its incredible biodiversity and untouched wilderness. With over 80% forest cover, 13 national parks, and pristine Atlantic coastline, Gabon offers extraordinary wildlife encounters including forest elephants, surfing hippos, and lowland gorillas.
- Public
- Very limited public transport. Mini-buses (blakas) run on major routes for 200-500 XAF but are overcrowded and unreliable. Not recommended for tourists.
- Taxi
- Private taxis are the practical transport option in Libreville. Abundant and affordable though fares must be negotiated. No meters. Yango app available for safer bookings.
- Rental
- Car rental recommended for exploring outside Libreville. 4x4 essential for national parks and rural areas. International driving permit required.
- Walking
- Central Libreville around Boulevard Triomphal and the Corniche is walkable in cooler hours. The city spreads across hills making long walks tiring in the heat.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Hotel shuttle - $15-25 (arranged in advance)
- Shuttle
- Private taxi - $20-30 (30-45 minutes)
- Bus
- Shared taxi - $5-10 per person
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Limited public bus service in Libreville. Mini-buses (blakas) run on major routes for 200-500 XAF ($0.35-0.85) but can be crowded and unreliable. Not recommended for tourists.
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare, car_rental
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Standard taxis abundant in Libreville. Base fare 1,000 XAF ($1.80), approximately 500-1,000 XAF per km. Negotiate price before departure. Within city center typically 2,000-5,000 XAF ($3.50-9). Airport to city center 12,000-18,000 XAF ($20-30). Taxis don't use meters.
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
NRT (Nationale Regionale Transport) operates bus routes between major cities. Libreville to Port Gentil (boat connection required), Libreville to Lambaréné (3-4 hours, 8,000 XAF/$13), routes to inland cities. Roads can be poor quality especially during rainy season. Book tickets day before at stations.
Flights
Most reliable intercity transport. Libreville to Port Gentil (1 hour, $150-250 round trip), Libreville to Franceville (1.5 hours, $200-350), Libreville to Mayumba ($250-400). African Airways, Nationale Regionale Transport airlines. Book in advance as capacity limited.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Léon-Mba International Airport
From centre: 11 km north of Libreville
Options: Hotel shuttle - $15-25 (arranged in advance); Private taxi - $20-30 (30-45 minutes); Shared taxi - $5-10 per person; Car rental - available at airport from $50/day
Port Gentil Airport
From centre: 3 km from city center
Options: Taxi - $10-15 (10 minutes); Hotel shuttle - complimentary at most hotels; Walking possible to nearby hotels
Franceville Airport
From centre: 5 km from Franceville
Options: Taxi - $8-12; Hotel pickup - arrange in advance
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Yango
The most reliable ride-hailing app available in Libreville. Safer than flagging street taxis. Available on iOS and Android.
Many Libreville taxi drivers and private drivers take bookings via WhatsApp. Hotel concierge can provide trusted driver contacts.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Always agree on the taxi fare before getting in - there are no meters and prices must be negotiated
The Yango app (available in Libreville) offers safer, app-based taxi booking - use it especially at night
A 4x4 vehicle is absolutely essential for visiting national parks and rural areas outside Libreville
Domestic flights are the most reliable way to reach remote areas like Loango and Mayumba - book well in advance
Keep your International Driving Permit and passport copies accessible as police checkpoints are common throughout Gabon
The Trans-Gabon Railway from Libreville to Franceville is scenic but slow (12-18 hours) - plan accordingly