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Visa No Longer Possible at Cameroon/Gabon Border? Visa No Longer Possible at Cameroon/Gabon Border?
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sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
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Photo by Ulrike Hahnel,
Rock Formations on the
Lagune Route, Bolivia



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  #1  
Old 14 Jan 2015
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Visa No Longer Possible at Cameroon/Gabon Border?
The guy in Gabon Embassy in Yaounde make it really difficult for overlanders to get visa to Gabon.

I read that Gabon visa is possible at the border but a Swiss traveler I met at the Gabon Embassy yesterday said he was turned away at the border. Not sure if he was there at the wrong day/time or Gabon has stopped issuing visa at the border.

Anyone has crossed into Gabon recently and got the visa at the border?

Borneoman
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  #2  
Old 14 Jan 2015
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Hi guys
Bitam will accomodate
Celeste doesnt need, only you do

Get a french speaking Person to call for you
Initially the lady in bitam was stroppy, but ended up being great
They let you drive through border without visa, so must be common place

Josh
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  #3  
Old 14 Jan 2015
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Thanks Josh, will try to follow your steps to get into Gabon if the Embassy guy in Yaounde still behave like God.

We are now in Yaounde, enter Cameroon through Ekok. The border guards were very strict and did not allow us to enter but Dr Victor assist us to get in. He was the only person that has the authority to allow/assist overlanders to cross. Before we call him we even spoke to the Mayor of Limbe recommended to us to seek assistance but even him could not 'bend' the order.

Our salute to Dr Victor and also to you for making the break through.

Borneoman
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  #4  
Old 21 Jan 2015
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I crossed that border in the opposite direction ( going north ) back in mid-October. Here is the info going south :

There are several Cameroonian checkpoints near Ambam. There is a brand new, "posh" but still affordable, French-run hotel in town. Immigration is just a few kms south on the river, it is just a simple shed on your left side where they stamp your passport ( they most certainly don't issue visas ). They were relaxed when I crossed in.

There is a Gabonese Immigration outpost right on the hill after the border bridge where you are asked to do some paperwork.
But the real thing is further south in "downtown" Bitam, right on the main drag. They open late and close early. Crossing out was straightforward for me, no hassles. Sorry I forgot to ask if they issue visas, but by the look of them I would say they do. Worth a try anyway if you are unsuccessful in Yaoundé... Lots of cheap hotels in Bitam near the market, great Senegalese restaurant nearby.

Hope that helps, L.
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  #5  
Old 22 Jan 2015
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I decided not to go straight to the border but did my visa in Yaounde. Got my visa on the same day - 50k cfa plus 20kcfa for express.

Yes the crossing into Gabon was easy. The immigration in Bitam was very helpful and they even did the passport and visa copies for us.

In Bitam we stayed in a nice motel, going uphill into town & just before the roundabout the motel is on the right. 15k cfa for 2 pax, aircond, tv, clean and secure parking for bike and cars/trucks.

Cheers,
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  #6  
Old 26 Jan 2015
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Visas from country to country in West Africa
Hi - we re busy doing a Joburg - Paris trip via the West Coast. Currently confronted with a situation in Lusaka where the DRC embassy has refused to issue us visas... claiming that they could only issue for Zambian residents...

Anybody experienced this before either for DRC or others in West Africa ?

Side note : we ll head up to the border tomorrow and try our luck with the border officials... We ll see...

Cheers,

Sylvain
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  #7  
Old 26 Jan 2015
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The DRC web site says visas must be obtained in the closest embassy to your home country - the only Visa I am getting before leaving home is DRC.
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