Libreville Getting there & around

Getting there & away

Local transport

All taxis-brousses (bush taxis) leave from PK8 (pronounced peek-a-weet), 8km out of Libreville. Overpacked minibuses, 4WDs, pick-ups and clandos (cars that act as long-distance taxis) can be found daily for most destinations; early morning is the best time to show up. You can pay double to secure yourself a seat in the front alone (otherwise two share it). A gazillion stops to pick up fruit or say hi to a cousin will be made along the way. From Libreville, you can catch local transport to Lambaréné (US$10, four hours), Cocobeach (US$10, two to three hours), Tchibanga (US$30, eight hours) and Oyem (US$20, 11 hours).

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Land

Train

Many eastern destinations are best reached by the Transgabonaise train that leaves 8km south of the city in Owendo. It’s a comfortable ride; 1st class costs not much more than 2nd. Reservations are made through travel agents or at the station. Expect delays and breakdowns; overpriced food is available. Trains run to Lopé (the town at the entrance to the reserve; 1st class US$40) and Franceville (1st class US$88).

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Air

Air Service (747118, 747119) and La Nationale (06669077, 031903) fly within Gabon to Port-Gentil, Koulamoutou, Franceville, Mouila, Oyem, Gamba and Makokou. SCD Aviation (564100, 885666; scd-aviation@inet.ga) also does some of these routes and includes a few more like Ombouye. Flights to cities in nearby countries include: Douala (Cameroon), Pointe-Noire (Congo), Brazzaville (Congo) and São Tomé (São Tomé & Príncipe).

A taxi to or from the airport costs US$4/8 during the day/night, even if your hotel is just across the road.

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