The Gardens cover 52 hectares and has a distinguished and colourful history dating back to 1892, when it was established by German horticulturalist, Professor Paul Preuss. The Gardens served as an introduction and acclimatisation centre for commercial and medicinal plants. Successful species such as quinine, coffee, rubber, tea, coffee and bananas were used to support the economy of the new German colonies of 'Kamerun' and Togo. Today these crops form the bedrock of Cameroon's agriculture-based economy.

During the 25 years from its establishment to the end of the World War 1, the Garden flourished. It expanded to cover an area of 200 hectares and had well-managed infrastructures including a laboratory, herbarium, narrow gauge railway, trail farms, greenhouses and experimental cocoa drying shed.

Between 1918-1962, The Gardens was administrated by the British Government and experienced a period of oscillating development and decline. The collections were concentrated on exotic species of fruiting and flowering plants such as mango, avocado pear and frangipani. The Garden was also established as the first training centre for agriculturalists, horticulturalists and foresters in the then Southern Cameroon.

After 1962, the Southern Cameroon government administered the Garden during which the worst state of dilapidation was experienced. Most of its infrastructure and land (especially the beautiful coastline beaches) were lost. In the early 1980's, the local community of Limbe saw their illustrious Garden disappearing and appealed to the government to restore or renovate the remnants of the Garden. This appeal resulted in the government of Cameroon trying to initiate some renovation works but this was limited due to financial difficulties.

In 1963 the Limbe Zoo was created as a centre for recreation and entertainment adjacent to 'The Victoria Botanic Garden' as it was then called. In 1984, when the name of the town was changed from Victoria to Limbe, the garden followed suit and became known as 'Limbe Botanic Garden'.

In 1988, a British-Cameroonian partnership initiated the Limbe Botanic Garden and Rainforest Genetic Conservation Project (LBGRGCP). This project resulted in the rehabilitation of the Garden and the evaluation of the genetic richness of the surrounding rainforest. In 1994, the Mount Cameroon Project, (MCP) Limbe, was established as a result of increased focus on the conservation of biodiversity in the Mount Cameroon region and recognition of LBZG as a potential centre for research, training, education, conservation and biodiversity monitoring.

The Britain Government (DFID), Republic of Cameroon (MINEF) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) of the World Bank jointly financed the project. The purpose was to maintain the richness of plants and animals in the Mount Cameroon region, by helping people and institutions to manage forests wisely, so that they can continue to provide benefits forever.

During this time, the Limbe Botanic Garden and Limbe Zoo, now under joint management became known as 'The Limbe Botanical and Zoological Gardens' (LBZG). LBZG was the base and host of MCP Limbe. It is an institution under the authority of the Ministry of the Environment and Forests (MINEF). LBZG is recognised as a Technical Operational Unit (Unit Technique Operationelle - UTO) under the 1994 Forestry law and in the MINEF's current organigramme.

From its inception, the LBZG has bridged research and development activities. In the last 9 years, the LBZG has developed research, educational, technical and information services that make it a key institution for biodiversity conservation and research at national, regional and international level.

Drawing lessons from the past, LBZG has actively engaged in a transformation strategy that will conserve its 110-year heritage, enable it to continue providing research and technical services and ensure its sustainability as an institution. The Gardens have applied to the Government of Cameroon to establish a financially self-sufficient, semi autonomous institution to be known as The Mount Cameroon Biodiveristy Conservation Centre (MCBCC).

The MCBCC will play a key role in providing facilities, information and services to conserve biodiversity and improve livelihood in the Mount Cameroon region and beyond.

Also in this section [About Us] »
Key Components · Our Vision · Institutional Structure · Our Staff · FoG