Upon arrival in Limbe, we shall visit the lava site at Bakingili Village, we shall discover the area where the lava of the 1999 Mt Cameroon eruption flew and cooled just few meters from the road and about 150m to the Atlantic Ocean. This lava is from the crater of the 1999 eruption which we shall see up the mountain when we descend to Mann’s spring camp. We admire some of the aquatic products use for art work, they are displayed at the entrance of the site and we take a climb up the stairs to view the site.
limbe zooWe visit the Limbe Wildlife Center, a rescue, rehabilitation, and reintroduction/ release for confiscated wildlife. There are lots of African primates like Drills, Mandrills, Gorillas, Chimpanzees; there are about10 types of Monkeys here, Alligator, snake, guenons, barn owl, snake eagle, bushbuck and more can be seen here.
We visit the Limbe Botanic gardens which is adjacent to the Zoo is one of the worlds 25 biodiversity hotspots. It boasts 52 hectares of beautiful landscape with picturesque natural surroundings enjoy amazing century aged trees. We explore the diversity of plant species from around the world as well as regional species classified as Ancient and aquatic plants, native orchids, Cameroon wildlife fruits, medical plant fields, Pan African and Madagascan palms. Hike up the Bota adventure trail to view the largest tree in the garden, admire the outstanding views across the Atlantic ocean on the Coastal trail, spot herons and Kingfisher on the river trail, visit Jungle village, a unique outdoor amphitheatre in the natural landscape of the garden ideal for wedding, concerts and other events, River Limbe( Victoria) which flows inside the garden, the town of Limbe got its name from the river, British war graves or Commonwealth graves of British soldiers who died fighting the First World War.
We leave for the Bimbia slave trade centre which is about 8.5km from Limbe 30 minutes drive form the Gardens. The Bimbia slave trade market served as an important supply zone for exportation of slaves to the new world, you will learn about the colonial times and how the slave trade was done. There are some historical attractions including Old German Wharf where ships anchored for the embankment of slaves, “door of no return” no slave returned after passing through it, chains used on slaves, British canon (instrument used by the British in the slave trade abolition) foundation of the first printing press built by English missionary Joseph Merrick, Nichol Island (site that harboured slaves prior to their exportation. Bimbia was the first place the Jamaican and English Baptist missionaries led by Rev Alfred Saker set foot on the Cameroon shores in 1858, he built the first school and the first Baptist church in Bimbia. The slave trade site has existed for over a centuries and till date maintains its naturalist look.
We return and relax at the beach for lunch. In the early afternoon, we will leave for the hotel, where the tour comes to an end.