Gabon Health & Vaccinations
Malaria & Yellow Fever
Gabon: Health & Vaccinations
As with any foreign destination, it is important to check with your doctor(s) well ahead of your departure date regarding vaccinations and other necessary precautions that account for the conditions in your destination country as well as your personal health.
Malaria Recommendations for Gabon: Gabon contains no malaria-free zones; thus, it is important that travelers discuss effective, malaria-preventive methods with their doctors prior to the trip. To be safe, you should always use a mosquito spray and consider tablets against malaria, such as Malarone.
Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirements for Gabon: Travelers from all countries who are ≥1 year of age must receive a yellow fever vaccination prior to arriving in Gabon. You should take the vaccination at least 10 days prior to departure.
Zika Virus Warnings: According to the US Centers for Disease Control, Gabon poses a risk for Zika virus and thus pregnant women are not encouraged to travel to the country.
Travelers should have their first aid kit with anti-tetanus and anti-venom serums. Drink only boiled water and eat only cooked vegetables, fish and meat. Powdered and tinned milk is advised to use.
Plan Your Gabon Safari
Talk to your doctor or a travel clinic about malaria prophylaxis and vaccinations well before you travel. For the rest of your Gabon planning:
- Gabon Travel Guide — visas, health, money, climate, packing and luggage limits, all in one place.
- Gabon Safari Tours — where to go, where to stay, and our full Gabon collection for 2026 and 2027.
- Why a Gabon Safari? — mandrill tracking with researchers, lowland gorillas, humpback whales and the Bwiti ceremony.
- Let’s Go to Gabon — A Safari in 2027 — our 8-person small-group expedition, 1–10 July 2027.
Choosing between countries?
If Gabon is still one of several options, our guide to African safari destinations compares every country we work in side by side, including malaria status, the best months to visit, typical trip lengths and starting prices.