Libreville City Guide

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Libreville city is the capital of Gabon. It is an assuming city of attractions offering lots of interesting things for Africa-oriented tourists. Life and excitement generally revolves around the attractions that the city offers. A port on the Gabon River, Libreville is prominent for the timber transactions in the Central African region.
Libreville is multi-purpose and Multi-functioning city served by Libreville Hospital. It is the principle administrative and trading (Timber) center of the country habouring numerous local and International organizations. The Gabon School of Law is also found here. Mont-Bouët and Nombakélé are the major commercial areas of the city. Lalala is the dominant residential area. Bank of West Africa (BAO) opened its first Branch in the city in 1930.
History
Libreville city was originally founded as a trading station as early as 1843. Freed slaves were sent there. It was the chief port of French Equatorial Africa from 1934 to 1946 and was the central focus of the Battle of Gabon in 1940. Originally, the city area was occupied by the Mpongwé tribe way back before the French took it up in 1839. Libreville acquired it name in imitation of Freetown. The city however has gradually gone through ranks slowly initially as a trading post and a minor administrative centre to a now vibrant trading hub of the whole country.
Geography
Libreville city is a port and lies on River Komo just adjacent the Gulf of Guinea.
City Tours and Family Vacationing
Libreville has a new profound status as a top family destination; today, it boasts safari activities for both the young and old. Sporting activities including Golf, tennis, horseback riding, bowling, squash and sailing light up the city’s vibrancy. It offers a perfect relaxing destination after a tedious adventurous travel in Central Africa. Several attractions not to be missed here include the lush presidential palace, the Egilse St.Michel and the Musee des Arts et Traditions (known for masks and traditional musical instruments).
Population
The estimated population of residents in Libreville is 578,156 (January 1, 2005). Since independence in 1960, the city has grown rapidly and now houses nearly half the national population.
Climate
Libreville experiences a tropical monsoon climate with a prolonged rain season between September and May punctuated with a short dry period. The dry season is so pronounced between June climaxing in late August. The average temperatures however is constant throughout the year averaging at around 30°C.
Getting There
All international and domestic flights to the city touch down at Libreville International Airport. This is the country’s largest airport and it lies approximately 11km north of the city. Libreville also headquarters the country’s national courier, Air Gabon. Air France or Air Gabon International serves regular flights to Libreville. The city’s port and train station on the Trans-Gabon Railway line to Franceville are located in southern Owendo region. Upon getting, travelers can go around the city and the best way to get around in Libreville is to rent car or taxi. Mini-buses are frequent in the city.
City Shopping
Libreville city offers exciting shopping experiences. The city is proud of its modern shopping malls and complexes such as the giant Marche Mont-Bouet with a wide variety of shopping options for the city tourists -  ranging from household utensils, electronic items, clothings, jewellery, delightful artistic paintings and crafts makings popular in local markets, villages and city streets; cultural and traditional products, foodstuffs and locally manufactured musical instruments. The most attractive buying in Libreville is the cravings of the stones with traditional skills. Mbolo is the main supermarket, and around the Bord De Mer there are several good shops. This is where you meet the real African side of Libreville. We however warn you of the pickpocketers roaming around busy shopping places.
Libreville Hôtels

• Intercontinental Libreville
• Le Méridien Re-Ndama
• Novotel Libreville Rapontchomb
• Hôtel Monts de Cristal

We recommend that you visit our Gabon tourism page for more travel and tourism information and attractions in the Gabon.