Expatriates Forums in Gabon

NIGHTLIFE IN GABON / GABON NIGHTLIFE GUIDE

Gabon Info — Thu Mar 01, 2007 5:40 am

Author: Gabon Info

Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 5:40 am

NIGHTLIFE IN GABON

Libreville has a very animated nightlife. A number of cafes and discotheques open every day of the week. The cafes librevillois are often called “bars” and they have little in common with the traditional English pubs. These establishments, with each one of them has a specific and unique environment and decoration, remains open until the last customer leaves!

Discotheques and clubs are numerous. One goes there dancing to the beats of disco music, hip-hop, techno, rock'n'roll and jazz. Without forgetting of course, dancing to the beats of African music. Libreville has the most beautiful night clubs and cafes in the country. The district of Louis and its surrounding, called “assembled of Louis”, is the main part of the city with restaurants, bars and night clubs, each having its own characteristic and environment. One finds a varied and good mix of customers, composed of students, businessmen, civils servant and prostitutes.

Some of the most attended night clubs are the “Twin Wheel” at Fofana; the V.I.P. at Thierry which offers spectacles every Wednesday; “Cotton Club” at Jean, in full rebirth, one with rare karaoké in the city, and the “Warhol”, One could not afford to miss the “Casting”, the “Majestic” and the “203” on the quay of Michele Marine at the Glass district.

There are also casinos at several hotels.

The cheapest local beer is Regab, it costs from CFA 350-1000 and comes in a 660ml bottle.

FOOD & DINING IN GABON / GABON DINING GUIDE

Gabon Info — Thu Mar 01, 2007 5:23 am

Author: Gabon Info

Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 5:23 am

FOOD & DINING IN GABON

GENERAL

Most hotels and restaurants serve French and continental-style food and are expensive. Gabonese food is distinctive and delicious, but not always readily available, as most restaurants serve Senegalese, Cameroonian and Congolese food, European food is also served. The "quartier Louis" neighbourhood is a lively place with many restaurants.

Gabon is the world's 20th-largest consumer of French champagne. Licensing hours are similar to those in France.

National specialties

• Braised fish (bass and red fish).

• Nyembwé.

• Manioc leaves.

• Bouillon de poisson (fish stew).

PLACES TO DINE

The Bananas
Sand Pit,
Libreville
Tel: (241-1) 740361

The Butterfly
Quartier Louis,
Libreville
Tel: (241-1) 734125

The House of Odika
Sand Pit,
Libreville
Tel: (241-1) 737313

Jackno
Quartier Louis,
Libreville
Tel: (241-1) 731625

The Mangrove
Quartier Louis,
Libreville
Tel: (241-1) 736477

Papa Union Montee De Louis Et Dialogue
near corner of Boulevard Amar Bongo,
Rue Pierre Barre and Boulevard de L'Independance,
Libreville
Tel: (241-1) 730657

Le Pavillon Celeste
Montee de Louis,
Libreville
Tel: (241-1) 730013

SHOPPING IN GABON / GABON SHOPPING GUIDE

Gabon Info — Thu Mar 01, 2007 2:39 am

Author: Gabon Info

Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 2:39 am

SHOPPING IN GABON

In Libreville, there are two bustling markets at Akebe-Plaine, Nkembo and Mon-Bouet. Stone carvings can be bought on the outskirts of both, fashioned by a group of carvers who have adapted traditional skills for the tourist market. Crafts from local villages can also be bought from stalls in the streets or from the villagers themselves. African (Fang) mask carvings, figurines, clay pots and traditional musical instruments can also be bought.

Shopping hours

Mon-Sat 0800-1200 and 1500-1900. Some shops close Monday.

Banking hours

Mon-Fri 0730-1130, 1430-1630.

Currency

CFA (Communauté Financiaire Africaine) Franc (CFAfr or XAF) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of CFAfr10,000, 5000, 2000, 1000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of CFAfr500, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1. Only currency issued by the Banque des États de l’Afrique Centrale (Bank of Central African States) is valid; currency issued by the Banque des États de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (Bank of West African States) is not. The CFA Franc is tied to the Euro.

Note: Libreville is one of the most expenisive cities in the world.

Currency exchange

Gabon is part of the French Monetary Area.

Credit & debit cards

American Express, MasterCard and Visa are not widely accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for merchant acceptability and other facilities which may be available.

Traveller's cheques

To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in Euros.

Currency restrictions

The import of local and foreign currency is unlimited, subject to declaration. The export of local and foreign currency is limited to CFAfr200,000.