Survivor: Gabon

Twists/Changes

 * Tribe Selection: Similar to Survivor: Thailand, the oldest male and female players will choose their tribemates.
 * Disposable Immunity Idols: Similar to last season, the players competed for individual immunity for their first visiting Tribal Council.
 * Exile Island: Exile Island returns this season, with some new tweaks. The banished player will pick one of two bottles, one will grant idle comfort (referrring to a semi-lavish shelter with a fruit basket inside), while the other will provide idol protection (a clue to the Hidden Immunity Idol somewhere around the vicinity). If the player chose to look for the idol, he/she must rest outside of the shelter. If that player chose to enjoy the comforts of the shelter, the player in question cannot look out for the idol.
 * Hidden Immunity Idols: Two Hidden Immunity Idols were available this season, one during the tribal phase of the game, and another during the second tribe switch.
 * Double Tribal Council: In Day 21, both tribes must go to Tribal Council to eliminate one of their own.
 * Two Tribe Switches: There are two tribe swaps in this season, the first one in day ten, and the other in day twenty three.
 * Delayed Merge: Due to the surprise second Tribe Switch, the merge was delayed for three days, merging with nine remaining contestants
 * Final Tribal Council: The finale returned to the Final Three, seven-person Jury format, similar to Survivor: China.

Trivia

 * This is the only season to have two tribe switches.
 * This is the first season since Survivor: China to feature a seven-member jury with a Final 3.
 * This is the first season with an 18 player cast where the jury began before the merge.