Amakama Wooden Cave


Useful Information

Location: Umuahia 440105, Abia.
(5.469920, 7.484474)
Open: no restrictions.
[2025]
Fee: free.
[2025]
Classification: natural cave in a tree
Light: bring torch
Dimension:  
Guided tours: self guided
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: no
Bibliography:  
Address: Amakama Wooden Cave, Umuahia 440105, Abia, Nigeria, Tel: +234-814-696-6116.
Mr. Obilor, Tel: +234-807-388-8112.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History


Description

Amakama Wooden Cave is the only cave in a tree we have listed on this website. We all know trees which are hollow, where a part of the wood has decomposed because of a damage or a disease. In general this is a bad thing for the tree, because it’s a sort of amputation, stability decreases. But as most water to the leaves and the transported minerals are moved on the outside of the tree, below the bark, a hole in the middle does not interrupt the

The definition of a cave is a natural underground void which is big enough for humans to enter. Such a hollow tree is natural, and the hole in the tree is big enough for 20 persons. The only question is: is it underground? We answered the question with yes: the hollow is covered by natural material, it’s not possible to see the sky through the wood. That’s good enough to us. The reason why we have not listed any other such cave is simple that we never heard about such a hollow big enough for a person to enter.

According to local lore the tree is as old as the Amakama community. During intertribal wars and the slave raids the tree was a hideout for the locals. The tree not only protects against discovery, it also stands on holy ground and combats evil deeds by attacking the perpetrators with a swarm of bees. When visiting you should not bring any charms, fetishes, or talismans with you. You should wash your hands before entering. Menstruating woman is not allowed to enter the cave. Men honoured with chieftaincy titles in the communities but are not upright and engage in deceit are not allowed to enter the cave.

Visitors are advised to follow the ancient rules for visiting the tree. Ignoring them leads to misfortune or disaster. The Amakama community has eight clans, and this grove has eight tall trees representing the eight communities. The tree is said to be 42 m high. The cave inside is not only spacious, its also quite high and has four windows to different sides. On site lives an elderly man named Mr. Obilor, the only guide for the site authorized by the tree itself. He guides visitors for free, but self-guided tours are discouraged.