Procedures for Researchers

With a few exceptions, all research conducted in Gabon, including the National Parks, requires a research permit from CENAREST. In addition, all research projects carried out in a national park or buffer zone require authorization by ANPN. What permits are required depends on three main factors:   

  • whether the project is being carried out by researchers or students registered at a Gabonese research institution
  • whether academic qualifications are being gained as a result of the work
  • whether the project is part of ANPN's internal management program

CENAREST Procedures

For most research carried out in Gabon’s National Parks, a CENAREST research permit is required, in addition to an ANPN 'autorisation d'entree'.

CENAREST permits are required if:
  • The project is being conducted by a researcher at a non-Gabonese research institution
  • An academic qualification (Masters level or above, including Masters 2 Recherche) will be gained by a student registered at a non-Gabonese university
  • The project has not been formally accepted as part of ANPN's internal management program

CENAREST permits are NOT required if:
  • The project is being conducted by a researcher listed as a staff member or registered student at a Gabonese research institution (e.g. CENAREST, UOB, USTM, ENEF or USS).
  • The project has been formally accepted as part of ANPN's internal management program, except when an academic qualification (Masters level or above) is obtained by a student registered at a non-Gabonese research institution

The procedures are as follows:

  1. An agreement with a Gabonese research institution or government organization needs to be established (e.g. CENAREST, ANPN, USTM, ENEF). Please note that institutional agreements are not research permits, but proof of institutional affiliation which is necessary for the application.
  2. A complete research proposal application must be completed following the guidelines on the CENAREST website. Please use the CENAREST Research application form  and also consult the Researcher application guidelines for more details.
  3. One form should be completed per project and applications must be made 3 months in advance. All details will be forwarded directly to ANPN for evaluation and permit approval. Neither ANPN nor CENAREST charge research permit fees to researchers.
  4. If successful, a CENAREST research permit and an ANPN autorisation d’entrée will be issued for a maximum of one year. Permit renewals are made on an annual basis, on condition that reporting requirements have been met.

ANPN Procedures

For researchers or students that don’t require a CENAREST permit, and for projects that are eligible for consideration as part of ANPN's internal management program, a project proposal should be submitted to ANPN, using the application form below and following the detailed guidelines below.

ANPN project application form (FR)
ANPN project application guidelines (FR)

The project will be evaluated internally by ANPN, and, if approved, the following outcomes are possible:
  • The project is approved as 'External'; an 'Autorisation d’entrée' will be issued on condition that CENAREST's requirements have been satisfied (if not, CENAREST application procedures will apply)
  • The project is approved as 'Internal'; an agreement or contract between the partner institution and ANPN will need to be signed as necessary. This will clearly define the obligations of the research team to ANPN and the government of Gabon in terms of data analyses, reports and other deliverables.

Other government permissions

In addition to CENAREST and ANPN permission, certain kinds of research may involve specific authorization from other government bodies: e.g. Conseil Climate for Carbon-related research, AGEOS for remote sensing research.
Researchers are responsible for obtaining correct permissions from other government bodies for their research.

Sample export permits

Sample export permits are required for the exportation of all samples from Gabon. These are obtained at the following Gabonese institutions:

- MINEF, for all animal samples, including those from CITES-listed species
- National Herbarium of Gabon, for plant samples
- Ministry of Mines, for soil samples


The researcher must follow the specific procedures for obtaining sample export permits as required by the appropriate Gabonese authority, which is usually mediated through the national institution to which the researcher is affiliated.