Daily travel budget for Gabon

You asked about a budget for Gabon? Be ready to spend. I'm a seasoned traveler, and I found it to be one of the most expensive countries in Africa. I’d budget at least $250 a day. Everything costs a premium, from a bottle of water to a meal. I stayed in Libreville at the Hotel Re-Ndama, and it was over 100,000 CFA a night. You also need to pay for permits and guides for most national parks. Unless you are very careful, you'll burn through cash fast.

I'd recommend a budget of about $100 per day for Gabon if you are very careful. This is possible by staying in basic guesthouses, which can be tough to find outside Libreville. Eating at street food stalls is the most affordable option, with a full meal costing about 2,000-3,000 CFA. The biggest challenge is transportation. Public buses are rare, and shared taxis are often the only way to get around, which can add up quickly. It's not a cheap country, so manage your expectations.

My trip to Gabon was more of a luxury experience, and my daily budget was well over $300. I stayed at high-end hotels and hired a private driver, which costs at least 50,000 CFA per day. The biggest expenses are the activities. A trip to Loango National Park to see the elephants on the beach is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but the tours and domestic flights can cost several hundred dollars. This is not a place for backpacking, so be prepared to spend.

Gabon is notorious for being an expensive country, and my experience confirmed that. A mid-range budget of $150 to $200 per day is a good starting point. This covers decent hotel, like a room at Hotel Hibiscus Louis in Libreville for around 40,000 CFA, and meals. Local food is much cheaper, but if you want to eat at a restaurant with tourist prices, a meal can easily be 15,000-20,000 CFA. Transportation is very expensive, with taxis in the city costing 3,000 CFA for a short ride.