The Gurara Waterfall – An Untapped Goldmine

25 May

2018

Gurara Waterfalls is located in Gurara, a local government area of Niger State, North Central Nigeria. The waterfall is approximately 30metres in height, a gushing width of 200 meters and it lies on the Gurara river 76 kilometeres along the Suleja-Minna road approximately 1hour and 15mins drive from Abuja.

According to oral history, Gurara Waterfalls was discovered by a Gwari hunter called Buba in 1745 before some Europeans discovered it in 1925 after they found it as a recreation centre. Prior to the discovery of the waterfalls by the Europeans, Gurara Waterfalls was worshipped by people living in communities around it. The Gurara Waterfalls and River got its name from the neighboring village – from two gods formerly worshipped by Gwari people (Gura and Rara).

In 1925, some Europeans discovered the Waterfalls after they found it as a recreation center and the sacrificial activities started declining. Despite its chequered history, Gurara Waterfalls is one of the major tourist sites in Nigeria. There have been plans in recent times to turn it into a resort with a recreation centre and a seven-star hotel with major tourist attractions.
The Gurara river is a large tributary of ‘River Niger’ and always at its peak during raining seasons but by January through March is at its lowest – during this time is safest to swim in the river, as the water is calm forming a clear pool at the bottom of the falls that visitors can get to swim. Asides the waterfalls outstanding and spectacular view, the surroundings makes it a beautiful place for bird watching.

The falls and the river have what it takes for sports fishing and wildlife viewing, as it’s been said that there’s a part of the river where one can discover crocodiles living in their natural habitat. Gurara environment is pristine, surrounded by trees providing a therapeutic renewed oxygen, which livens up the brain. Under the sun the water has an admirable shine that is as beautiful as fireworks, falling into a pond some 20 meteres below.

There are two major streams of the waterfalls but during the raining season, visitors would have to take a bold and adventurous walk to get close to the fall, as the entire cliff would be covered with a curtain of waterfalls. Currently, there plans to turn the waterfalls into a tourist resort including the building of a seven-star hotel around it. Through the tarred road leading to the falls, there’s a mini bar and a building set up at a strategic spot that offers tourists the best view of the waterfalls while relaxing.
The waterfall is very beautiful. When you visit Niger or Abuja, be sure to visit The Gurara waterfalls.