The initiation · Preparation
Preparing
your stay.
The path, step by step, from your first contact to your arrival in Gabon.
Coming to Ebando takes time and care. The path that follows is not an administrative formality: it is the first step of your inner preparation. Each of the nine steps has its reason to exist.
Before the first step
A road you prepare together.
The path that leads to Ebando is not a procedure you simply undergo. It is a dialogue that begins, from the very first message, between you and the team.
Each step — the exchange, the questionnaire, the tests, the visa, the sobriety — has a precise function. Together, they weave the thread between your decision to come and the night of the ceremony. Nothing is left to chance, and nothing is rushed.
The path
A clear road.
- Step 1.
First contact
Day 1You reach out to Ebando. The simplest and fastest way: a WhatsApp message to Tatayo, who answers fluently in French and in English. You can also write an email to OngEbando@gmail.com. You share your intention, your questions, your impulse. The reply comes from a human on the team.
- Step 2.
Phone exchange
Week 1 — 30 to 45 minA call is arranged with a member of the team. This is not a sales interview. You listen, you ask, you share what brings you here. The team listens too. An initiation is prepared by both sides.
- Step 3.
Pre-initiation questionnaire
Week 2 to 3A questionnaire to fill in honestly, directly in the step-by-step assistant, on your device. It covers your physical and mental health, your history, your relationship with substances. No online fields: nothing is sent through the website. Everything stays on your device until you print it to share it yourself.
- Step 4.
Medical preparation
Week 3 to 6You see a doctor for three tests: an electrocardiogram (ECG), a liver panel (liver function analysis) and a blood pressure reading. The results are sent to Ebando by email. These tests are not optional: Iboga is a powerful plant, and your safety depends on them.
- Step 5.
Confirmation and deposit
Once the medical check is clearedOnce the questionnaire and the medical check have been reviewed, your place is confirmed. You pay a deposit by bank transfer. This deposit is non-refundable: it formalises your commitment. The balance is paid in cash, on your arrival in Gabon. The bank details are sent to you by WhatsApp or email, on request.
- Step 6.
Visa and formalities
Week 6 to 10The visa is obtained through our partner agency M'bolo Tours: fees of around €220, paid on arrival, with the exact detail confirmed by the team. As soon as your registration is confirmed, you receive all the details and forms to start the procedure. Allow two to four weeks of processing.
- Step 7.
Vaccinations and malaria
Week 8 to 11The yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory to enter Gabon. Without a valid certificate, entry may be refused. For malaria, we recommend Artemisia annua (sweet wormwood) as natural prevention, or Malarone on medical prescription. Lariam (mefloquine) is not suitable; ask your travel doctor for advice.
- Step 8.
Mental preparation and sobriety
2 weeks before departureDuring the two weeks before the initiation, you stay clear of medicinal plants, drugs, alcohol and medication (except prescriptions approved by Ebando). This is not a formality: the safety of the ceremony depends on it, and so does its success. Being honest about what you take is essential.
- Step 9.
Arrival at Ebando
Arrival dayYou land in Libreville. Ebando is fifteen minutes from the airport, along the beach. You are expected. You pay the balance in cash (euros), you discover your accommodation, you set down your bags. From here, time changes its rhythm.
The rhythm
None of the steps is rushed.
If a step takes you longer than expected, take that time. To postpone, to wait, to let things mature: all of this is legitimate. The time you spend preparing is part of the path.
An initiation is not something you can rush.
It takes time, and patience.
— Tatayo, co-founder of Ebando
Frequently asked questions
The questions candidates often ask.
Can I come on my own?
Yes. Most candidates come alone. You will be welcomed by the team on your arrival, and you will share the stay with other initiates present during the same session. The administrative solitude of the journey lasts only as long as the trip itself — Ebando is a collective place.
How long between my first contact and arrival?
Allow 2 to 4 months on average. The first exchange, the questionnaire, the medical tests, the visa and the mental preparation all take this time. Some arrive faster, others take six months. No deadline is imposed.
How does payment work?
A deposit (non-refundable) by bank transfer confirms your place. The balance is paid in cash on your arrival. The visa (around €220) is also paid on arrival through our partner agency. No online payment, no card.
What happens if I need to postpone?
Write to Ebando. As long as the session is not too close, postponing to a later session is possible. The deposit remains acquired in any case, but the team does its best to make sure your stay happens when the time is right for you.
The first step
A question before you begin?
The first step is a WhatsApp message, or an email if you prefer. The Ebando team answers in person, in French and in English, with no script and no automation.