Located on Marina Beach in Calabar, the Slave Trade Museum houses some remnants from the transatlantic slave trade era. This place holds the memories of how the slave trade started and was abolished in Calabar.
The Slave Trade Museum is managed by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments and is one of the 53 museums in Nigeria. It is an ideal destination to visit if you’re a history enthusiast or a parent who wants their children to learn about the country’s dark past.
Things to Do at the Slave Trade Museum, Calabar
- See the inhumane conditions to which slaves were subjected when being shipped out of the coast of Calabar.
- Experience for yourself what slaves went through during those times by trying out some of the slave trade’s objects, including chains and shackles.
- Visit the Esuk Mba Slave Market exhibition section to see life-sized sculptures depicting the slave trading process.
- Check out an exhibit displaying the different currencies used in slave trading, from flutes, gongs, and brass bells to Dane guns, manillas, and copper bars.
- Learn about efforts to abolish slave trading in Africa by abolitionists like Granville Sharp, Thomas Clarkson, and William Wilberforce.
How to visit the Slave Trade Museum, Calabar
Getting There
The easiest way to get to the Slave Trade Museum is by car, which is a 4-minute (1.3 km) drive from Calabar Marina Resort.
Here’s a direction you can follow:
- Start point: Marina Resort (Naval Base, Calabar 540281, Cross River)
- Head southwest toward Eyo Ekpo Ln
- Turn left at Presidential Lodge onto Eyo Ekpo Ln
- Pass by the church (on the right)
- Sharp right onto Court Rd
- Pass by the Customary Court of Appeal, Cross River State (on the right)
- Turn right at F.U.T.U.R.E Hope onto Moore Rd
- Merge onto Marina Rd
- The destination will be on the left
Visiting Tips
To ensure you enjoy your tour and thoroughly explore the museum, allocate at least two hours for the activities during the visit. Another crucial tip is to visit on weekdays for a quieter experience, as weekends can be crowded. It’s also important to note that taking pictures is restricted inside the museum—check the guidelines before taking pictures.
Looking for a complete Calabar experience? Make the Slave Trade Museum part of your custom Calabar adventure with our tailored tour packages. We’ll handle the planning while you enjoy a perfectly crafted itinerary that combines the Slave Trade Museum with other amazing Calabar attractions.
