Where is it coming from? Where is it going to? How did it even start? Will it ever stop? The rocks, how old are they? Thousands, millions of years? What kind of organism calls this place home? Did my forefathers stand just where I stood?
A million questions ran through my mind as I gazed up the waterfall falling through the grooves it carved from the rocks. It was like an orchestrated movement. Every flow knew where it ought to pass and together they created this beautiful natural scenery.
The Gurara Waterfalls. The locals say it has always been like this. Can you imagine that? Since the beginning of time, according to passed down stories, water has always flowed over those rock. Where is the water going to?
Gurara Waterfalls is located in Gurara, a local government area of Niger State, North Central Nigeria. It is about 30 metres in height and hundreds of metres over rocky plains and discovered by a local hunter in 1745.
The waterfall has such an overwhelming effect that the locals, my forefathers worshiped the fall. The waterfall is awesome to behold now so I can imagine the effect of seeing such a never-before-seen formation by the locals then. In fact, legend has it that the falls was named after the deities at that time in the area; Gura and Rara. Some of the locals still believe that the waterfalls in their area has healing power. A bath in the waters will cleanse your body and soul. To a large extent, this is psychologically true. It works. If medical placebos work, why not this?
At my first visit, it took me time to take it all in. More questions. Am I looking at the fishing ground of some early men? What other exotic animals call the expense of land covered by the water flow home? There were more questions than answers. More things to explore, my adventure persona informed me.
“Do you want to see the waterfall from the base”, my guide asked me.
“Of course. I want to see everything”
He lumped over my gear bag and we set off over some rocky downhill climb. No picture can do justice to the sight that we saw. I was totally engulfed in the aura around the fall. The sounds and sights were like a thick transparent cloud enveloping every thing around. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I understood better why the locals worshiped the waterfall.
Gradually, I set up my cameras and clicked away. I have to preserve this feeling the best way I can for others to find. I have to Google Map it. I observed that at the side of the falls were jolted out rocks that may provide foot holds for tourists to climb up alongside the waterfalls. Euphoria. Only the beauty around me was all I could think of. Every other thing was in oblivion. I was happy. An ever present smile was on my lips. It was like my soul has been purged of whatever clogged it before I arrived. My soul has been cleansed. I am new again.
After a restful snacking on one of the many flat rocks, it was time to go. As I drove back to the city, it occurred to me that the answers to my questions may never be available. Why would I need them? As with gods, there will always be mysteries.
I thought, who needs answers when a smiling new and invigorated me just left the Gurara Waterfalls.
#LocalGuides Tips: Here are some information only a local would know.
- During rainy season, The climb downhill to the base of the waterfall is very slippery due to the muddy consistency of the soil there. Wear adequate shoes and step on rocks mostly. The Local Government covering the vicinity helps by using cement to make makeshift stairs but its usually a poor job and is usually washed off after a few rainfalls.
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The climb from the base is punishing if you are not fit. Don’t hesitate to climb up in stages. A couple of steps up and stop to catch your breath.
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The water looks shallow but is actually very deep in many areas. Except if you are a local or guided by a local, do not swim the water even if you are an excellent swimmer. The river has several reverse flow areas and areas that sucks everything down to the unknown and sharp jagged rocks at the bottom in some areas.
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One can climb up along side the waterfalls as there are several outcropped rock as foot hold but be very careful. The wet rocks are very slippery and a fall from there could be fatal. One must be fit and a good climber to attempt it.
- There several flat rocks at the base where you can sit or party as you take it all in. Enjoy that. Its worth the visit.
UPDATE:
I would like to thank everyone who has commented, liked, privately chatted or called me in reaction to the article above. I well appreciate them all. Thank you.
One question everyone seem to be asking is the best time to visit the waterfall. This @JordanSB asked in the comment section too. Thank you Jordan for bringing it up. I will post part of my response to you as the best time to visit.
EXTRA TIP: BEST TIME TO VISIT
Rainy Seasons in Nigeria is usually June - September (± 1 month), that would be the most trying time to visit the fall. October to December is, in my opinion, the best time to visit because the water from the rainy season is still present in the river so the gush is much more spectacular than January - May (Dry Season).
The photos I took were a few weeks ago in March (Dry Season). The volume of the flow triples in Rainy Season though the colour of the water becomes more light brown than white due to the mud.