What is the best time to visit Gabon?

Best Time to Visit Gabon

The best time to travel to Gabon is during the dry season from June to August and the cooler season from December to February.

Dry Season in Gabon

The dry season in Gabon runs from June to August. During this time, the weather is hot and dry with temperatures ranging from 25 to 30 degrees Celsius. The skies are clear and sunny, making it the perfect time for outdoor activities. This season is also the best time for wildlife viewing, as animals come out to drink from the few remaining water sources. Visitors can also join in the festivities of the National Day of Gabon, which is celebrated on August 17th.

Cooler Season in Gabon

The cooler season in Gabon runs from December to February. During this time, temperatures range from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. The skies are mostly clear, and the humidity is low. This season is also the best time for bird watching, as many migratory species come to the region. Visitors can also enjoy the vibrant cultural festivals taking place throughout the season, such as the International Festival of Arts and Culture in Libreville.

Month-by-month guide for traveling in Gabon

Gabon in January

Weather

January is the start of the dry season in Gabon, with temperatures ranging from 25-30°C (77-86°F) and very little rainfall.

Events

• The International Arts and Culture Festival takes place in Libreville, the capital of Gabon, in January. This festival celebrates the arts and culture of Gabon and the surrounding region, with performances, exhibitions, and workshops.
• The Bata Marathon is held in January in Libreville. This annual marathon is a major event in Gabon, with thousands of participants from all over the world.
• The Libreville International Film Festival is held in January. This festival showcases the best of Gabonese and African cinema, with screenings, workshops, and panel discussions.
• The International Music Festival is held in Libreville in January. This festival celebrates the music and culture of Gabon and the surrounding region, with performances, workshops, and exhibitions.
• The Libreville International Food Festival is held in January. This festival celebrates the cuisine of Gabon and the surrounding region, with cooking demonstrations, tastings, and workshops.

Gabon in January

Weather

January in Gabon is typically hot and humid with temperatures ranging from 24 to 31 degrees Celsius. Rainfall is common, with an average of 8-11 days of rain during the month.

Events

• New Year’s Day is celebrated on January 1st. This is a public holiday and is celebrated with fireworks, music, and dancing.
• The National Day of Gabon is celebrated on January 17th. This day commemorates the country’s independence from France in 1960.
• The International Jazz Festival of Libreville is held in the first week of January. This festival features performances from local and international jazz musicians.
• The Libreville Marathon is held in the last week of January. This is a popular event that attracts runners from around the world.
• The International Film Festival of Libreville is held in the last week of January. This festival showcases films from around the world.

Gabon in March

Weather

March is the start of the dry season in Gabon, with temperatures ranging from 22-31°C (71-88°F). Rainfall is minimal, with the average precipitation amounting to just over 50 mm. The humidity is high, usually around 80%.

Events

• The National Festival of Arts and Culture takes place in Libreville, Gabon’s capital city, during the first week of March. This event celebrates the country’s diverse culture and traditions through music, dance, art, and food.
• The International Jazz Festival is held in Libreville in mid-March. This festival features some of the best jazz musicians from around the world, and is a great opportunity for music lovers to enjoy a variety of jazz styles.
• The International Film Festival takes place in Libreville in late March. This festival showcases some of the best films from around the world, and is a great opportunity to explore different cultures and stories.
• The International Music Festival is held in Libreville in late March. This festival features some of the best musicians from around the world, and is a great opportunity to explore different genres of music.
• The International Dance Festival is held in Libreville in late March. This festival showcases some of the best dancers from around the world, and is a great opportunity to explore different styles of dance.

Gabon in April

Weather

April is the beginning of the dry season in Gabon, with temperatures ranging from 24-32°C (75-90°F). Rainfall is scarce, with an average of only 5-7 days of rain per month.

Events

• The International Festival of the Arts and Culture of Gabon (FIAC) is held in Libreville, the capital of Gabon. This event celebrates the country’s culture and art, and features music, dance, and theatre performances.
• The annual Libreville International Marathon is held in April. This event is a 42 km race that attracts runners from around the world.
• The Gabon International Film Festival is held in April. This event showcases films from around the world and is a great opportunity for filmmakers to network and share their work.
• The International Festival of the Environment is held in April. This event focuses on environmental issues and is a great opportunity for people to learn more about the environment and how to protect it.
• The International Music Festival is held in April. This event celebrates the musical heritage of Gabon and features performances from local and international artists.

Gabon in May

Weather

May in Gabon is hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from the mid-20s to the mid-30s Celsius (70s-90s Fahrenheit). The rainy season begins in May, with precipitation increasing throughout the month.

Events

• The International Day of the African Child is celebrated on May 16th. This day commemorates the 1976 Soweto uprising in South Africa, and is used to raise awareness of the rights of children in Africa.
• The International Day of Families is celebrated on May 15th. This day is used to recognize the importance of families in society and to promote awareness of issues related to families.
• The International Day of Biodiversity is celebrated on May 22nd. This day is used to raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity and to promote conservation efforts.
• The International Day of Peace is celebrated on May 24th. This day is used to promote peace and non-violence around the world.
• The International Day of the African Woman is celebrated on May 25th. This day is used to recognize the achievements of African women and to promote gender equality.

Gabon in June

Weather

June in Gabon is hot and humid with temperatures ranging from 24°C to 32°C. The average rainfall for June is around 250 mm.

Events

• The Gabonese National Day on June 17th is celebrated with parades and festivities.
• The International Day of the African Child is celebrated in Gabon on June 16th.
• The Libreville International Film Festival is held in June and showcases African films.
• The International Day of Yoga is celebrated in Gabon on June 21st.
• The Gabon International Music Festival takes place in June and showcases local and international music.

Gabon in July

Weather

July in Gabon is generally hot and humid. Average temperatures range from 24°C (75°F) to 31°C (88°F). Rainfall is common, with an average of 10 days of rain per month.

Events

• Festival of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: This religious festival is celebrated on the 3rd of July in Libreville and other cities in Gabon. It includes processions, church services, and other activities.
• Festival of the Virgin Mary: This religious festival is celebrated on the 15th of July in Libreville and other cities in Gabon. It includes processions, church services, and other activities.
• Fête de la Musique: This music festival is held annually on the 21st of June in Libreville. It features live music performances from local and international artists.
• Independence Day: This national holiday is celebrated on the 17th of August to commemorate Gabon’s independence from France in 1960. It includes parades, fireworks, and other festivities.
• Gorilla Festival: This annual festival is held in the city of Libreville in July. It celebrates the conservation of gorillas and features activities such as music, dance, and art.

Gabon in August

Weather

August in Gabon is hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from 24°C (75°F) to 33°C (91°F). Rainfall is common, with an average of 8 days of rainfall per month.

Events

• The National Festival of Arts and Culture takes place in Libreville, the capital of Gabon, during the month of August. This festival celebrates the culture and traditions of Gabon, with live music, dance, and art performances.
• The International Film Festival of Gabon is held in August in Libreville. This festival showcases films from around the world, with awards for the best films.
• The International Music Festival of Gabon is held in August in Libreville. This festival showcases a variety of musical styles from around the world, with live performances and competitions.
• The Libreville Marathon is held in August in Libreville. This event is a 42 km (26 mile) race that attracts runners from around the world.
• The International Festival of the Sea is held in August in Port-Gentil, the second-largest city in Gabon. This festival celebrates the culture and traditions of the Gabonese people, with boat races, seafood cooking competitions, and live music.

Gabon in September

Weather

September is the beginning of the dry season in Gabon. Temperatures range from the mid-70s to mid-80s Fahrenheit (21-30 Celsius) during the day and the mid-60s Fahrenheit (18-20 Celsius) at night. Rainfall is minimal, with only an average of 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) of rain throughout the month.

Events

• The International Day of Peace is celebrated on September 21st. This day is dedicated to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.
• The National Day of Gabon is celebrated on September 17th. This day commemorates Gabon’s independence from France in 1960.
• The Libreville International Marathon is held in September. This marathon is a 42.195 km race that takes place in Libreville, the capital of Gabon.
• The International Day of Democracy is celebrated on September 15th. This day is dedicated to the promotion of democracy and the recognition of its positive impact on the international community.
• The International Day of Charity is celebrated on September 5th. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of charity and its role in helping those in need.

Gabon in October

Weather

October in Gabon is hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to the mid-80s Fahrenheit. The humidity is high, with average daily relative humidity levels of around 80%. Rainfall is common, with an average of 8-10 inches of rain throughout the month.

Events

• The International Day of the Girl Child is celebrated on October 11th in Gabon. This day is an international observance day declared by the United Nations to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges they face around the world.
• The Festival of the Dead is observed on October 31st in Gabon. This festival is celebrated to honor the spirits of the dead and to remember the ancestors.
• The National Day of the Republic of Gabon is celebrated on October 17th. This day marks the anniversary of Gabon’s independence from France in 1960.
• The International Day of Non-Violence is observed on October 2nd in Gabon. This day is an international observance day declared by the United Nations to promote non-violence and peace around the world.
• The World Food Day is observed on October 16th in Gabon. This day is an international observance day declared by the United Nations to raise awareness of the global issue of hunger and to promote food security and nutrition.

Gabon in November

Weather

November is the beginning of the dry season in Gabon, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to low-80s Fahrenheit (21-27°C). Rainfall is minimal, and humidity is low.

Events

• November 2nd is a public holiday in Gabon, celebrating the anniversary of the country’s independence from France.
• The Libreville International Film Festival takes place in November, showcasing the best of African cinema.
• The Libreville International Music Festival is held in November, featuring a variety of musical styles from around the world.
• The annual Libreville Marathon takes place in November, attracting runners from around the world.
• November is the start of the fishing season in Gabon, with many anglers heading out to the ocean to try their luck.

Gabon in December

Weather

December is the wet season in Gabon, with temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to the mid-80s Fahrenheit. The days are hot and humid, and the nights are cool and pleasant. Rainfall is common throughout the month, and thunderstorms can occur.

Events

• The International Music Festival of Libreville is held in early December, featuring musicians from all over Africa.
• The Festival of the Arts takes place in Libreville in mid-December, showcasing the best in Gabonese art, music, and dance.
• The Libreville Marathon is held in December, with runners from all over the world competing in a 26-mile race.
• The Libreville International Film Festival is held in late December, featuring films from all over the world.
• The Christmas Festival is held in Libreville in late December, featuring a parade, live music, and a fireworks display.