Climate and Weather of Gabon
Dubbed the Eden of Africa by travelers all over the globe, the tropical country of Gabon stuns the world with its pristine beaches, jungles, and expansive national parks housing Africa’s most exotic species. The country also is a known hotspot of rich architecture showcasing not only Gabon’s but Africa’s hallmarks in human history and culture.Gabon enjoys a tropical climate for most of the year. The average temperatures are between 26°C and 32°C which makes Gabon hot and humid year-round. The period from June to August is generally slightly cooler, while in the months of March and April the highest temperatures are generally measured.
In terms of precipitation, Gabon has two rainy seasons and two dry periods. July is Gabon’s driest month of the year with precipitation ranging from almost non in Mayumba with an average of 1 mm rainfall to moderate in Bitam with 48 mm. Meanwhile, November is Gabon’s wettest month of the year with precipitation ranging from heavy in Bitam with an average of 175 mm rainfall to heavy in Libreville with 492 mm.
When is the best time to visit Gabon?
The country can be best visited from June through September when it's the dry season. The dry season is the best time to see biodiversity in full swing, particularly elephants and turtles in Loango. The second best time to visit is from late January through December. Be advised, however, that this short season is still quite wet in terms of rainfall. The rainy season is from October through December and late February through May.
The rainy season marks the migration of forest elephants to the coastal grasslands bordering the wildest Atlantic Ocean, at the same time the great leatherback turtles come to the beaches to lay their eggs.
What attractions should I visit in Gabon?
A model of natural conservation, Gabon’s prime tourist destinations are its natural wonders—jungles, beaches, and savannas. Travelers can explore Gabon by hiking the country’s jungles and taking boat trips through its lake systems. Moreover, the coexistence of nature with people's ceremonies will add a cultural touch to your journey in exploring the country’s wonders.
The Lopé National Park is famous for being a transition zone between the Savannah and the great rain forests within. The great rain forests of the park never fail to impress tourists as it covers 75% of Gabon, easily making it the largest rain forest in the whole country. This vast Gabonese wonder houses huge trees, each one more solid, covered with plants and vines, adding an adventurous touch to your trip.
Another destination is the town of Franceville, Gabon’s third largest town known for the Red Canyon amidst its mesmerizing hills and greenery. In addition, Franceville is close to Congo by ten kilometers; there exists the demarcation border between Gabon and Congo.
The Moukalaba Doudou National Park is Gabon’s sanctuary for gorillas. An estimated 25,000 gorillas live in the park, making Gabon home to the highest density of great apes on the continent.
One of Gabon’s cultural highlights is their reverence for masks and ceremonies. The spiritual tradition of the Bantu and Pygmy ethnic groups in Gabon is expressed in mask rituals and ancestral ceremonies. The Babongo people are famous for their initiation rites, mainly the traditional 'bwiti' ceremony on special occasions. Another Gabonese tribe is the Punu who are known for their celebratory Mukudji mask ritual, also for special occasions within the tribe. Be sure not to miss these ceremonies to complete your Gabon experience.
Does it snow in Gabon?
Being a tropical country, Gabon does not experience snow. Seasons in Gabon are limited to two, namely the wet and dry seasons. There is no recorded history of snowfall in the country.
As it does not snow in Gabon, travelers are advised to dress lightly and comfortably in warm weather.
Are you interested in more detailed information for various cities in Gabon?
Please select the city you plan to visit, or one closest to your destination. For each selected city, you will see the following graphs:
1. Yearly average minimum and maximum temperatures
2. Monthly averages of precipitation throughout the year (rainfall, snow etc)
3. Monthly average hours of sunshine throughout the year
Additionally, some pages provide historical weather data such as humidity, wind speed, and water temperature.