Tchibanga

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Tchibanga is a city in the Nyanga Province of southern Gabon, situated on the Nyanga River. It has an estimated population of 14,500 (2004). The town lies on the N6 road and is home to an airport and a market. It lies near the Ivela Falls.

Tchibanga is the capital of the Nyanga province. It is the last major city located on the road to Congo-Brazzaville. Tchibanga is home to approximately 15,000 Gabonese people, but is also home to a sizable refugee population from Congo-Brazaville. The UNHCR runs an office there providing services for the refugees and locals. The majority of people living in Tchibanga, including most Congolese refugees, belong to the Bapounou ethnic group.

Tchibanga sits on the banks of the Nyanga river. It is located in Gabon's southern grassland region and does not have the deep jungle environment of many Gabonese cities. Tchibanga has a thriving commercial district, a hospital, two high schools, a post office, a large Catholic church, and an airport. A small power station and a fresh water spring provide electricity and running water to the center of town. President Omar Bongo has a summer house in Tchibanga that he has never used. The Minister of the Interior also has a house there.

Tchibanga is accessible by a twelve hour bush taxi ride from Libreville or by plane; however, air service is very irregular, and the airport is usually closed. A local green and white taxi costs approximately 200 CFA francs.

Tchibanga has a number of restaurants serving both Western and traditional food. Some restaurants serve bush meat, including snake and antelope in a traditional palm oil sauce called Nyengui. Tchibanga is known for having the best manioc (cassava) in Gabon. Batons, or sticks of manioc wrapped in leaves, may be purchased for 100 Central African Francs at the market. A wide variety of other local produce is available at the market, including locally grown bananas, peanuts and hot peppers; the markets often sell bush meat, such as antelope and monkey. Tchibanga is also a good place to buy traditional woven goods, including mats and baskets.