I might be going to Gabon for work (U.S resident and oilfield worker), what should I expect?.
Unclviny
I worked in Gabon for a total of 5 months in 2001-2003, doing biological surveys sponsored by Shell in the Gamba and Rabi areas.
I liked Gabon alot - the population density is very low, and there’s still lots of natural habitat. Life for foreign oil workers is pretty comfortable, but of course will vary depending on how remote your site is. However, I understand that infrastructure (roads, etc) away from areas of oil development is pretty undeveloped. One of the main problems for expats working there is probably boredom.
What would you like to know, specifically?
Le Gabon est un pays francophone - so it may be useful if you speak a bit of French.
Sadly I have forgotten the French I learned in high school. From what I have heard/read Gabon is very “western” in the cities and it seems stable politically (if I have air conditioning, plumbing and there is not anyone shooting at me then I think I will be allright). I have a couple of specific questions:
Did you “feel safe” there?.
How big of a hassle was it to get a work visa?.
Can you offer any “must see” or “must avoid” advice?.
Thanks, more questions as I think of them.
Unclviny
While French is used universally among the locals, around the oilfields I’m sure you will find lots of English speakers. Although the population is only about a million, Gabon has over 40 different languages, so that the locals of different ethic groups communicate with each other in French.
It is pretty stable politically, far more so than most African countries. With low population density and lots of resources in oil, minerals, and timber the economy is pretty good. However, as is usual, most of the wealth is in the hands of an elite. The lower classses, though, are not impoverished as they are in many places. There are lots of immigrants from Nigeria, Cameroon, and other West African countries. They often hold the more menial service jobs; the stereotype is that the Gabonese themselves “don’t want to work” because they have it so good.
The better hotels, and oil field accomodations, have modern plumbing, AC, and other conveniences (satellite TV, etc.)
Yes. There are probably some places in Libreville that it is inadvisable to be in after dark, but most of the country is quite safe.
We had a special arrangement with the government, so this didn’t apply. I would guess if you had a job offer from an oil company, this wouldn’t be a problem. Gabon seemed pretty well set up to cater to the interests of oil companies.
I didn’t do much sightseeing per se. I was mostly just in Libreville in transit and at our field sites. Gabon does not have the spectacular wildlife viewing of east Africa, but it does have elephants, gorillas, and other critters. It is not well set up for tourism, but trips can be arranged. One of the better known places to go is the Lope Reserve. Also Sette Cama. There are not any particularly spectacular sights to see.
As a travelogue, I would recommend One Dry Season by Caroline Alexander.