OLUMIRIN WATERFALL: A TOURIST SITE TO BEHOLD!

OLUMIRIN WATERFALL: A TOURIST SITE TO BEHOLD!

Olumirin waterfall is one of the many wonders of the world. It is in Erin Ijesa, Osun State, Nigeria. It is 2 kilometres off Erin Ijesa town which lies 20 kilometres East of Ilesa on the well-known Ilesa-Akure Expressway. It is Situated within latitude 7°30’ and 8°45’ North and longitude 4°31’ and 5° East.

Olumirin waterfall has breathtaking seven-level waterfalls whose charm and tourism potential are underestimated. The thundering seven-level waterfall comes over the escarpment and tumbles in succeeding levels of waterfalls. It also has seven layers of rocks; the wall of its massive rock cleft is rugged in verdant colours; a verdant brushes of verdure.

It got seven levels to ascend, with each level revealing difference natural architectural magnum-opus and a great gift of nature from God. Each fall distinctly marks the mystical propensity of the fountain; broken pieces of rocks serves as stepping stones through which people climbs to each fall. Olumirin waterfall is indeed a craft of supreme architecture.
The view at all the levels is wonderful and the freshness of the water is energizing. Its falls are surrounded by towering mountains that gives one the sense of wildlife mixed with serenity. Its streams flows majestically amid the rocks and splashes down with great force on the vegetation around; it falls with thundering rush and loud thuds.

The breeze at the waterfall is cool and refreshing. Its springs never run dry in rainy and dry seasons. There are natural landscaping trees and sloppy areas. The whole scenery is fascinating and idyllic. Apart from the beautiful site present at the Olumirin waterfall are also fresh water prawns which belongs to the “Infraorder Caridea family, Atyidae and Genus Caridina” (Biological terms). Olumirin waterfall is a perfection of God’s handwork, I must confess!

The first fall plunges through a narrow opening in a cluster of luxuriant tree trunks blanketed in dark green leafage, down a steeply folded rock face of about 10 meters in height. Like a rain of a million limpid pins, the showers descend and inundates huge boulder reposed at its plunge pool below.

Fallen logs of wood laid dank in the pool and out-flowing stream channel. The air hung muggy with a heavy smoke of splashed water droplets. The sight sparks the first fire of excitement that pervades the veins of any tourist at the falls. The refreshing ambience is further thickened when one ascends the steep rocks to explore the other stages of the waterfalls.

The ascent to the second fall begins at this spring. It is tougher than the first but approaching it, one begins to see anew the overwhelming beauty of the perfection of God’s handwork. The second fall is the most gigantic of all, with the waters diving down a 40m-high cliff. The copious plunge is most spectacular in the rainy season when the stream channel is at its flooding levels. Its plunge pool forms a shallow improvised swimming pool for tourists at the site who are lucky and brave enough to get to the second fall. An adorable rainbow bedecks its floor.

Climbing to other falls is arduous and torturous, as there are no escalators or clear paths made up the ridge slopes, except depressions and projections on the surface, as well as roots and branches of huge trees, forest climbers and shrubs along the paths, which serves as hand and foot hands for the adventurous tourists. Nevertheless, the ascent of the enormous ridge is most rewarding, as one is treated to dazzling and panoramic vistas of the surrounding landscape, depicting the true natural beauty of the Nigerian landmass.

The third level is simply spectacular and each increase means a corresponding rise in grandeur. For most tourists and fun seekers, climbing up to the third level can best be equated to traipsing the snowy steeply Mount Everest. The whole place is cool, calm and refreshing due to the permeation of the coolness of the streams. The fourth level beckons next and having come this far up, there is no way to go but higher still, taking the next torturous and joyful stride.

The most intriguing level is the seventh level, which is the peak of the falls. So enthralling, it takes determination, bravery and skills to get there; it is not a walk in the park at all. The environment is cool and reserving; it’s a flattish area covered in trees. There are all kinds of fruits like pineapple, oranges, among other; the view is captivating. At this level, one sees the source of the waterfalls. The source of the Olumirin waterfall is a rock-like shape of a pot from which the water gushes like a pump; the waterfalls exude from a big rock-like pot.

The seventh level hosts a settlement which is another great attraction at the waterfalls. The rural commune is called “Abake village”. The name “Abake” is a Yoruba word which is a combination of two Yoruba words: “Aba” “Oke”, meaning “the village on the top”, suggesting the location of the small village. Its inhabitants have been living there for hundreds of years. The village is said to be in Efon Alaaye Local Government, hence the villagers refer to their settlement as Efon Alaaye (Ekiti State).

The village basically consists of mud houses and the people there are predominantly farmers who specialized in growing food crops and cash crops. There women engages in Gari processing- using local method and trading. The commune suffers from inaccessibility of good roads, lack of electricity, hospitals, clinics or health centres, e.t.c; despite this deprivation, they are ever hospitable and delighted to see people climb the mammoth crest in order to visit their remote enclave. They host the tourists with fruits- oranges, pineapple, banana, and the likes.
Olumirin waterfall is a must-visit for Nigerians, Africans and all lovers of nature in the world. I cannot but place Olumirin waterfall on the dais of one of the choicest tourist centres in Africa and the World at large. It is commonly said that “the taste of the pudding is in the eating”. So, it wouldn’t be enough to just read this piece, you need to schedule a vacation to Olumirin waterfall. I tell you, it’s a sight to behold.



Yours’ Truly,
Oluwatomilola K. Boyinde,
Ijesaland Renaissance Initiative.