Today we’ll take you into the heart of Libreville, the biggest city and capital of Gabon and a port on the Komo River, bordering the Atlantic Ocean. It has a population of roughly 700.000 inhabitants. As Gabon is an oil-country, there is much wealth in Libreville and Port-Gentil, meaning there are a lot of modern tall buildings to be seen, cornered by small stalls and houses with gulf plates. As a coastal town, it has a kind or relaxed atmosphere, good seafood and a nice breeze in the air. Tucked in between several national parks and reserves, it’s easy to escape city life and be on a tropical beach in no time, often in the proximity of wildlife.

The French started acquiring the land in the first half of the 19th century and it was used as a trading point for slaves to eventually become an important port in French Equatorial Africa. At the time of its independence in 1960, the city only housed around 32.000 people and has since grown rapidly having almost 25 times that number.

Just like many other African cities, such as Nairobi or Dar Es Salam, the city is changing swiftly, with new cafes and malls popping up while digitalisation is slowly finding its way in everyday life. Still, Gabonese hold on to many customs and traditions, so what we get is an interesting mix of modern city life combined with African values and traditions.

On your tour we’ll take you to a few iconic sights such as the national museum, the presidential palace and the Stele of Freedom statue and other buildings of importance such as cathedrals and churches and we’ll have a stroll at the market as well, where you can try some fruits or maybe a brochette if you’d like. By the end of the tour we’ll have a final walk near the coastline. Your guide will tell you all about everyday life in the city and will provide you with plenty of information and tips for your stay in Libreville.