In 1773 Berlin travelled to Guinea with the English botanist Henry Smeathman. The purpose of the expedition, which was sponsored by members of the Royal Society, was to explore the central parts of West Africa but prior to reaching the mainland, Berlin died of a stomach illness while on the Îles de Los.Hamberg, Erik, Anders Berlin: en linnean i Västafrika (Svenska Linnésällskapet yearbook) 1994/95, pp 99-108). Before his death, Berlin managed to send a few plants to Linnaeus.Fagerstedt, Otto; Sörlin, Sverker (2004). Linné och hans apostlar (Örebro: Natur & Kultur). pp. 10–13 ..
