Gabon, often described as one of Africa’s best-kept secrets, is now making a bold move to charm British travellers. This month in London, a new campaign — XploreGabon — was unveiled, designed to shine a light on the Central African nation’s wild beauty, rich traditions, and growing appeal as a travel destination.
The launch was more than just a pitch; it was a celebration. Timed around Gabon’s independence festivities, guests at the August 16 event were swept into the sights and sounds of the country. A short film offered a breathtaking window into Gabon’s 13 national parks, from gorillas wandering through dense forests to elephants crossing pristine beaches along an 800-kilometre Atlantic coastline. The audience also caught glimpses of the nation’s waterfalls and rare bird species that make Gabon a dream for eco-travelers.
But it wasn’t only nature on show. The organisers kept things lively with a quiz packed with fun trivia — from Gabon’s oil reserves to stories of its past and present leaders. The evening ended on a delicious note, as guests tucked into Gabonese classics like cassava leaf stew and salted fish, paired with tropical juices and rum punch. For many, it was their first taste of the country’s culinary soul.
The driving force behind this initiative is the UK Gabon Diaspora, which set up XploreGabon to bridge communities and put Gabon on the tourism map. Its president, Elizabeth Traoré Andony, said the timing couldn’t be better: “Gabon has extraordinary natural and cultural wealth, yet so few people know about it. We want to change that, and show travellers that Gabon offers something authentic and sustainable.”
With direct flights under discussion and infrastructure rapidly improving, Gabon is pushing to position itself as a fresh alternative to Africa’s more familiar tourist spots. Beyond just attracting visitors, the campaign hopes to draw the eye of investors, especially those looking into eco-tourism and hospitality ventures.
For now, XploreGabon is planting the seed: Gabon is ready to be explored, and it has more than enough beauty, culture, and warmth to win hearts.
