Gabon

Gabon is almost entirely rainforest, and its national parks reach the ocean where elephants appear on the beach. The cost of living is high for the region: an oil economy and imports make Libreville one of the most expensive cities on the continent. The climate is equatorial: hot and humid all year, a long rainy season from autumn to May and a short dry spell in summer. French is essential, healthcare is limited, work is tied to oil and timber, and tourism stays expensive and hard to reach.