Preparing for Your Adventure of Ultimate Central Africa

At Africa's Eden, we offer tours to places that are off the beaten track. It is likely to be an experience you'll never forget; imagine telling your friends that you slept in deep jungles of Gabon or that you have eaten the authentic chocolate made in São Tomé. You'll want to ensure it's a great trip and with so much to consider, we've tried to make it easy for you with the following overview.
 

Checklist:

1. Passport

Your passport needs to be valid at least 6 months from the date of your departure.

2. Visa

Country Type of Visa Arrangements Costs
Gabon Double entry visa
A double entry visa for Gabon is obligatory and needs to be arranged prior to your arrival in the country. This can be done at the Gabonese Embassy using the invitation letter that you will receive from Africa’s Eden upon receipt of the deposit for your trip to Gabon. Please take approximately 2 weeks into account to organise your visa and note that it is only valid for 3 months from date of issue.
 
Notes:
  • South African passport holders do not need a visa for Gabon.
  • US passport holders automatically get a 5 year multiple entry visa.
  • Double entry visa is only possible when you stay in transit at Libreville International Airport.
Dependent on country of residence.
 
São Tomé and Príncipe Single entry visa
* General procedure
The visa to be able to visit São Tomé & Príncipe can be arranged upon arrival in Sao Tomé & Principe. However, the Reservations Department of Africa’s Eden does need to receive a full colour scan of your passport at least 5 days before arrival. This will enable us to inform our local office and give them enough time to prepare. The cost is $100 and is expected to be paid upon arrival in exact change. 
 
* Exception for travellers flying with TAP Air Portugal
If you are flying to São Tomé with TAP Air Portugal, you will need to apply for and obtain a visa before departure in your country of residence. If you are a Dutch citizen, we can provide you with an application form and some more details to enable you apply at the São Tomé & Príncipe Embassy. In other cases you will need to contact the Embassy of São Tomé & Príncipe in your country of residence.

* In the following countries, there is an Embassy or Consulate and your visa needs to be arranged prior to arrival in the country.
  •  Angola  (embassy)
  • Austria  (consulate)
  • Belgium  (embassy)
  • Canada  (consulate)
  • France  (consulate)
  • Gabon  (embassy)
  • Germany  (consulate)
  • Guinea Equatorial  (consulate)
  • The Netherlands  (consulate)
  • Portugal  (embassy)
  • USA  (consulate & embassy)
  • Republic of China (Taiwan)  (embassy)
* Additional notes from São Tomé & Príncipe Embassy in order to obtain visa for São Tomé & Príncipe :
  • Current passport in course of validity of 6 months
  • Copy of identity card/ residence permit
  • 1 identity photo
  • Filled and signed application form
Price: € 40 normal and € 50 urgent; to be paid via bank transfer - also enclose a return envelop with address (very important). Postal services fee: € 6 within Europe and € 10 for the rest of the world. 


* To download the application form for São Tomé & Príncipe, please click here
$ 100, expected to be paid upon arrival in exact change

3. Vaccinations and Medical Preparations

Upon arrival in Gabon you will need to provide a proof of vaccination. This includes:
  1. Proof of yellow fever declaration (obliged);  
  2. Other vaccinations are not obliged, but recommended: 
    - DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio)
    - Hepatitis A
    - Belly typhoid (for a stay longer then 3 months)
Please note: as in most parts of Africa, there is a risk of malaria in Gabon and on São Tomé and Príncipe appropriate preventive medicines are essential for visitors to this area. We advise you to contact your general practitioner or the Travel Clinic to find out which prophylaxis is suitable for you.

4. Health Form

We will send you the health form before the departure of your trip. We kindly request you to return this to us at your earliest convenience by fax or email.

5. Insurance

A repatriation insurance is obliged.