Limbe Botanic Garden: Any Tourist’s Dream Destination

Economie
Cynthia Akenji NGUM Ngum (Intern) | 24-11-2016 18:19

It overlooks Ambas Bay with its breathtaking splendor and view.

Founded by a group of Germans under the leadership of Paul Preus in 1892, what is today the Limbe Botanic and Zoological Garden, has since become a must destination for visitors to the coastal city. The garden provides a peaceful escape from the nearby bustling city. With its thematic gardens, majestic trees and ideal setting, it lies at the foot of Mount Cameroon, the highest peak in West Africa.

Among the scores of people who troupe to the garden everyday are women and girls. “The garden is simply awful!” exclaims Rose Ngangeh, a visitor from Yaounde. Rose decided to see for herself the wonders of the much-talked-about tourist site after having the opportunity to visit Limbe. “I have never seen such beautiful animals at close range. I never knew there was such a possibility of viewing wildlife in Cameroon without having to trek kilometres into a national park,” explained Augustina Ndeh, a member of the team from Yaounde.

“Over the years, I have noticed an increase in the number of women visiting the garden not only to take pictures, but also to learn more about the fauna and flora,” said a local guide who preferred to remain anonymous. “Many newly-weds visit the garden, a memorable site for pictures,” the guide noted. “Visitors to the 2016 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Limbe will not regret stopping over at the Limbe Botanic Garden,” counseled the lady guide.

The garden boasts 52 hectares of beautiful landscape grounds and about 70 animal species, some endangered. There is also a diversity of plant species from around the world. With beautiful lawns and dazzling display of colours throughout the year, the garden is any tourist’s dream destination. There is also a jungle village, a unique outdoor amphitheatre embedded in the natural landscape of the gardens that serves as an ideal venue for concerts, weddings and other events. The garden also runs a hotspot restaurant with African and European cuisine served while overlooking Ambas Bay with its breathtaking view.