Located in Niger State, North- Central Nigeria, the Gurara Waterfalls is one of Nigeria’s famous tourist attractions. It is one of the natural habitats that the nation is blessed with, and serves as a destination for travellers and fun lovers.
Below are thrilling facts about the beautiful waterfalls.
The Gurara Waterfalls was discovered in 1745 by a Gwari hunter called Buba, as he was travelling from Zaria to hunt for animals.
Gurara waterfalls sits between Suleja and Minna in Nigeria State, about an hour’s drive from Abuja, the country’s capital.
History has it that the Gurara falls and river were named after two gods once worshipped by Gwari people: Gura and Rara.
The community around the waterfalls used to worship the falls. If they had any problems, they used to go to the waterfalls to pray and offer sacrifices.
When some Europeans discovered the falls in 1925, they turned it into a recreational area, and so the sacrifices were stopped.
The Gurara River is a large tributary of the famous River Niger and is most impressive after the rainy season when the water becomes a raging torrent, while in January, during the dry season and when water levels are low, there are clear pools at the bottom of the falls in which visitors can swim.
As well as being an area of outstanding natural beauty, the area surrounding Gurara Waterfalls is also a fantastic place for bird watching.
Small streams that branch off from the main Gurara River run softly around rocks on top of the cliff, converging from scores tributaries in the narrow rugged pass and dashing out from the cliff with almighty power.
The river and the falls itself are noted to have great potential for sport fishing and wildlife viewing. It has also been said that there’s an area down the river channel where one can find crocodiles living in their natural habitat.
It is the favourite feasting spot for herd of cattle that feed on the sparse short grasses carpeting the river banks.
The environment is pristine, with lots of trees and shrubbery providing healing fresh oxygen, which animates the brain.
It is safest to swim in the river during dry season i.e. January-March, when the water is clean and calm.
The water, shining under the sun, as beautiful as fireworks, fall into a pond some 20 meters below.
The fall is at its peak between April and November, and at its lowest between January and March.
The waterfall spans about 300 meters across and drops 50 meters below.