Time out at Nigeria’s water falls

Nigeria’s vast and already beautiful landscape is abundantly blessed with picturesque waterfalls cascading down mountain and hill tops, through rocks and onto rivers of flowing waters. But the waters, most likely, against their will have remained ‘calm’ as many of them have over the years seen less and less of tourists from home and abroad  […]

Nigeria’s vast and already beautiful landscape is abundantly blessed with picturesque waterfalls cascading down mountain and hill tops, through rocks and onto rivers of flowing waters.

But the waters, most likely, against their will have remained ‘calm’ as many of them have over the years seen less and less of tourists from home and abroad  to cause them to rumble.

A visit to any one of the following waterfalls this holiday season will make an experience at the Victoria and Niagara fade away as you explore deeper into these natural treasures.

Take your family on a different kind of holiday to enjoy the serene environment of any or more of these waterfalls.

The Agbokim Waterfalls: Cross River has more to offer than its Christmas carnival and itinerary at the end of the year. The Agbokim Waterfall is one of its distinct features located at about 17 kilometers from Ikom and about 315 kilometers from Calabar.

A combination of seven streams with each one gliding down in seven-faced rows, Agbokim is enveloped by rich green vegetation which fills the nostrils with a certain freshness of air.

Its alluring calm is a great choice for unwinding and at the same time a great picnic spot.

Kwa Falls: Barely an hour drive from the Calabar metropolis is Kwa Falls. The Falls was host to beauty pageants during the 2006 Miss World pageantry.

Sheltered by deep green canopies of leaves, the Kwa Falls sits in a narrow, steep gorge on the headwaters of the Kwa River. From there it determinately snakes down a foundation of rocks strong enough to take on the force with which it pours down.

‘A deep plunge pool forms at the bottom of the waterfall, which before deforestation, was hidden under the thick canopy of the tropical rainforest.’

Assop Falls: The fact that Plateau State is labelled home of tourism comes alive with its many tourist sites of which the Assop Falls is one. The falls is considered the most notable of Nigeria’s many waterfalls.

Located at about 62 – 64 kilometers from Jos city, Assop Falls has become a popular tourist choice for lovers of rock climbing, swimmers, picnickers and relaxation spot for many. It is also reputable for its scenery which has served as backdrop for many movies, adverts and soap operas. The impressive gush of water from great heights combines to give the environment the perfect ambiance holidaymakers need to enjoy their stay.

The water gushes from an impressive height providing a beautiful sight.

Kurra Falls: Also in the state is the famous Kurra Falls spanning 77 kilometres in the Jos axis. It is not just a tourist site but is historic for being the host to the Plateau’s first hydroelectric power station.

Standing tall in magnificence and elegance, Kurra falls is well landscaped with lakes, rocks, and great weather which are suitable for water sports and camping.

Gurara falls: Niger state, the power state is home to the much talked about Gurara Falls. Well located on the outskirts of Minna town, this piece of beauty is something to behold this season as the rains heighten. Statistics show that ‘the falls span over 200 meters across with a sheer drop of 30 meters, which creates a dazzling rainbow effect as the water cascades over the top into a cloud of spray below.’

Owu falls: The Owu waterfalls of Kwara State is said to be the highest and most spectacular natural waterfall in West Africa. ‘It is surrounded by a tropical rainforest in which can be found a wide range of animals and plants not seen in other parts of the world.’ Like its counterpart, Gurara Falls, it also is a spectacular view in the rainy season.

The sight of its 330 feet of cascading waters down ‘an escarpment with rocky outcrops to a pool of ice-cold water below’ is one that every eye should behold.

Erin Ijesha Waterfalls: Located in Osun State, Erin Ijesha Waterfalls encompassed in mountains is described as ‘a whole new experience with nature’. Also known as Olumirin Waterfall, it is one of the very few water bodies where fresh prawns thrive and has some feel of wildlife touch to it.

Layered on seven plains, with each providing an equally great view of the scenery, the freshness of the water is said to be ‘energizing if you have the mettle to get to the last and seventh level, the view is most intriguing. The final and seventh level lies at the peak of the falls. It also hosts a settlement where many of its inhabitants have lived for several years.’

Waterfalls are great holiday destinations and provide opportunities for fun seekers to re-align with nature and reinvigorate energy and general wellness. Other sites include MaitSirga Falls in Kaduna State, Enemebia Falls in Benue State and Ipole-Iloro Water Falls in Ekiti State among others.