Articles about East Africa
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Kenya's fascinating Waterfalls
Adding to the many features that exemplify the diversity of the Kenyan landscape are the waterfalls. Waterfalls are a magnificent phenomenon which has most gawking for hours astounded by a beauty so natural as it is perplexing characterized by rapid waters continuously flowing over a cliff or an elevation and plunging down with intense force into a ravine. Apart from the infamous game drives in the numerous parks across the country, visits to the various waterfalls found here is well worth your while and serves as a present change to the usual norm associated with safaris. A picnic by the water fall serves as superb soothing venture that allows you to sit back and recollect amidst the natural splendor. In Kenya the major waterfalls include the Thomson’s falls (Nyahururu), Lugard falls near Tsavo East National park, Fourteen falls in Thika and Chania falls. Numerous other waterfalls seasonal and permanent can also be seen.
THOMSON’S FALLS (NYAHURURU)
Discovered by Joseph Thomson a Scottish geologist and naturalist in 1887, the falls are located near Nyahururu town which sits 2360m above sea level, the T’falls as they are commonly known plunge a good 72m on the Ewaso Narok River originating from the Aberdare ranges. Thousands visit the fall yearly with the adventurous few descending down to the bottom of the ravine through a nature trail in an attempt to have a better view of the surrounding cliff with a dense forest cover watered by the foggy mist of the thunderous water fall. Up stream from the fall is where you will find Kenya’s highest hippo pool. Cameras are recommended on a visit to this fall as the scenery is simply breathtaking and a photo would serve as a perfect memoir. For those planning to overnight here Thompson’s lodge serves that purpose. Tourists on the Nairobi/Naivasha/Nakuru/Aberdare/Samburu circuit usually have a stopover at this awe-inspiring falls for the chance to enjoy the view whilst take some photos.
LUGARD FALLS
An encounter with Lugard falls leaves you bewildered as the rapid Galana river plunges into a large pool below creating a vehement sound as it disappears into a narrow rocky gorge passing through clefts which finally windup in the fall below. The fall is even more ravaging during the rainy season. Eye catching are the multi-colored rocks with strips of pink, light grey and white. Visitors have the option of either climbing around the eroded rocks or walk down the river for a better view of the rapids. A habitat of giant crocodiles and hippopotamus known as the crocodile point is found not more than a kilometer after the falls. Visitors to Tsavo National park get the pleasure of viewing this natural beauty on their routine game drive within the park.
FOURTEEN FALL
Located only ten minutes from Ol Donyo Sabuk village is the stupendous fourteen falls open to the public daily from 9 am to 5 p.m. Initially the fall constituted of 14 consecutive falls leading up to the name but has since evolved to consist of a broad surge of water over a cliff with numerous fall points all plunging down 30meters. During the rainy season the numerous falls merge to form one huge water torrent with a roaring sound effect. Athi River contributes heavily to the existence of the fourteen falls. Due to its close proximity to the capital Nairobi it receives a numerous number of visitors mostly on the weekends all eager to sample the natural beauty of the Kenyan landscape.
LIMURU FALLS
This falls offer a spectacular backdrop in an environment endowed with green vegetation notably extensive tea plantations. There’s spectacular panorama as viewed from above the fall where views of water surging through the green foliage before finally breaking out through the cliff flanked by the bushes can be witnessed by visitors to this fall.
CHANIA FALLS
A breathtaking site and a catchment area for Nairobi’s water, this dramatic falls drops 25 meter down into thick forest in the Aberdare National Park in Kenya. The falls do not receive many visitors as they are not as easily accessible as most. Apart from providing water it is also significant when it comes to power generation though lack of adequate rainfall is threatening its existence.
GURA FALLS AND KARURU FALLS
Standing at 1000ft in height Gura falls is situated across the valley from Karuru falls; in the beautiful Aberdare forest affluent with green vegetation including the forest from which Tana river, Kenya’s longest river emanates. The river is a major contributor of the formation of both falls which not only share the environment with all it flora but are quite similar in their physical appearance. They are both three tiered in the sense that they have more than three vertical leaps before the water finally reaches the deposit bowls.
ADAMSON FALLS
Meandering all the way from the Aberdare forest, Kenya’s longest river the Tana River on it way to deposit its waters into the Indian Ocean, the river snakes into the Koru National Park where it ruptures into the Adamson’s falls named after George Adamson renowned for raising the infamous Elsa from a cub to a full grown lioness. Visitors to Koru National Park are treated to this astounding sight which is always as invigorating as it is soothing.
WEBUYE FALLS
This magnificent falls are found in the western province of Kenya where River Nzoia has gifted the locals with Webuye Falls a huge attraction in the area which would otherwise receive very few visitors. Electricity generation is also carried out and helps greatly in powering the various industries that have been established in the area.
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