Nature’s Gift: A Waterfall Experience

 Water is an element that takes up any form, but no form takes water.

Meet the crew

It is trail pilots’ picnic o’clock. This time, we decided to visit the famous Guara-Guara Waterfall.

We were to meet at 6 a.m., but yours truly was still tagging along with her hiking buddy. More blessings for assisting me.

I got up as early as 4 a.m.; it was officially my wake-up time. I did my dental care, then prayed, flushed my stomach 🙃, and made a quick call to my hiking buddy to confirm our meeting point. I kissed my plants, sprayed water, and showered them with lots of love while I took them out for their dose of sunlight. Then, I got dressed and left the house for our muster point. First, I had to wait for my hiking buddy for 30 minutes standing. Well, he did apologize for keeping a girl waiting apology accepted. We joined others at our muster point at Federal Housing, Kubwa, and immediately started our trip to Guara-Guara Waterfall in Niger State. Here’s a brief history of Guara-Guara.

Gurara Waterfalls: History & Tourism

Origins:

 • According to oral tradition, the falls were discovered in 1745 by a Gwari hunter, Buba.

 • European documentation began in 1925, leading to the development of the area for recreation.

Cultural Significance:

 • The falls and Gurara River are named after the Gwari deities Gura and Rara.

 • Historically, the falls were a site for human sacrifices.

Tourism Highlights:

 • Popular activities include swimming, picnicking, and birdwatching.

 • Optimal viewing: April–October (high water volume).

 • Access closer to the falls: January–March (dry season).

 • Sport fishing and crocodile viewing are possible downstream.

Future Development:

 • The Niger State government plans to develop the falls into a resort with luxury accommodations.

 • Emphasis on eco-friendly tourism and community benefits.

That’s it for history back to the gist.

We left Abuja at 7:45 a.m. and got to Guara-Guara at 9:50 a.m., thanks to the trailers on the road (that’s sarcasm 🙄, you know right?). With a free road, the trip should have been one hour and 30 minutes. Well, we are here now let’s go!

We went down, took a few pictures with the group and our ram (which we bought for barbecue 😋). Oh, that’s not all there was roasted antelope meat and a goat too. Then egusi and its ingredients, yam, and garri for eba and fufu. The drinks Omg! These guys came with varieties. Shoutout to Miss Vivian, who brought boiled eggs, smoothies, and small chops 😋 more blessings to you, dear.

While we were going down to the waterfall, I could already see the water and its awesome environment. In case you see any beautiful picture on my status and ask me for the location, and I tell you it’s somewhere in Switzerland, just accept it 😂. This waterfall is the definition of beauty 😍. I have always known the Almighty is beautiful today reaffirmed it. This land is marvelously beautiful.

We were to pick items to take down to the riverbank. I couldn’t carry the water I was asked to assist with, but I helped our leader carry the leather in his hand. I said, A child can’t be walking with his father and allow him to carry the bag na. So I collected it, and he prayed for me. Before then, someone asked me to help carry palm wine, but I turned it down nicely.

It was a beautiful scenery walking down to the waterfall. The photo shoot began from crazy styles with Chef T to taking pictures with one of the prettiest ladies in the group, Ms. Sandra, then Lola. It was a photo session, guys you can’t help but take pictures. Then we got to where we decided to settle under a tree.

Meet pretty 😍 Ms Sandra

We had a feast on the small chops. These guys sat up an incline where my hands couldn’t reach, but thanks to Asa and Vivian, who took some for me. Even though Mr. Emmirine said, Aha! Let it not be that those on the ground eat more than us. Meanwhile, Elder, Sandra, Lola, Harmony, and Ms. Claudia had fruits. Then Elder got fresh fish 🐟, and it was handled by Chef T.

The kitchen department and its assistants (Eddie, Peruzzi, Moh, Man of Faith, Jossie, Mrs. Eze, and the hype man, Hercule) got to work.

                    Active kitchen assistant 

It was time to go into the waterfall, and it was announced for us to get ready. The ladies found a private place to change, only to find a snake lying down gently 😃. She didn’t scream but quickly left the place. Queen Lizzy told OBO, who went with her to see for himself, but they couldn’t find it again. So we left, leaving behind the kitchen department active (you know what that means, right? 😉).

We got down to the waterfall. I wasn’t okay just standing there, then I saw Mr. Emmirine and others up on top of the mountain. My adrenaline rush was like an open waterfall I had to find the path to follow up there. I mentioned to Lola, Let’s go! While we were going up, Sir Jossie called out that we should get down, but it was too late o! I couldn’t back down again, but Lola did and went back. I continued, then Orston followed too. It was an easy hike I loved every bit of it.

Guess what? I was barefoot! Hiking requires you to think as fast as possible for survival. The rocks were hot. I met Maxy and Ms. Claudia on my way, so I joined them. Meanwhile, Orston was behind, catching up with us. We were trying to figure out the best way to avoid falling into the streaming water. Then we saw Ms. Sandra I was happy to see her, especially when I saw her phone in her hand.

Before we saw her, we had been complaining about why we left our phones behind when this was the perfect place to capture the beauty.

We kept navigating, then we got to a point where we needed to assist each other to cross over. Well, not me shaa, but another person delayed us because she didn’t want anyone to assist her. We were scared for her because any slight slip could be fatal due to the nature of the mountain sharp rocks everywhere. Well, finally, she made it.

Then we continued, but the others had already left, looking like people searching for treasure on the mountain. We began thinking of the best route down. They tried to point out the route they had used, but we didn’t get it. We saw one, but we doubted it because there was a streaming water path, and we were unsure if it was safe. It was also very wide, making it impossible to cross.

A tour guide came to meet us to direct us down the right path. The path narrowed at some point, but we found ways to navigate it. Ms. Sandra said, This is why I love hiking it helps you think of solutions. I couldn’t help but agree with her.

We got to another waterfall, which was amazing! The water experience was unquantifiable we played in it.

One of us stepped out and suddenly slipped, landing face-first due to the water on her feet and the smooth rock surface. We had to come out immediately. There were just seven of us there. Someone gave her his socks to stop the bleeding on her nose. Thankfully, it stopped very fast. That was a good clouting moment, and I said as much. Ms. Sandra agreed too.

We walked back to join our crew. This experience was another level as we had to navigate through the river. Thankfully, there were big rocks we could step on, and sometimes, we had to jump mindfully.

We got back to the crew pepper soup was ready! An appetizer before the main meal. We were told this pepper soup was made with yam, a traditional meal in Delta State, Nigeria, called Ikodo.

Pepper soup time ikodo

While we were eating, someone mentioned if anyone else had felt something touching them in the water. Surprisingly, we all said yes, but while we were in the water, nobody had said anything 😆. Maxy mentioned he had tried to see if he could catch whatever it was.

Oh! Did I mention I did meditation in the water? It was a marvelous experience, while Ms. Sandra was praising and thanking the Almighty for the gift of nature. Lola said she wished she had come along, but she adhered because her dad once told her to always follow instructions. But she was having fun and enjoying herself. She got a lot of content to shoot. Even when her phone went off, she brought out her charger and power bank and got it charged.

After we were done eating, Maxy and Miss Crocs nudged me to go back to the water again. Omo, I followed! On our way, we saw Oscar and OBO coming. We asked them to join us, but Oscar turned it down. So the four of us, with a tour guide, went back to the water. This time, we spent close to 35 minutes in the water before deciding to return to the crew again 😀.

OBO had mad fun, from dancing and shooting content to drinking and bantering with his friend Oscar, who was also enjoying himself quietly.

We got back Egusi was ready!

Ms. Claudia gave massages to four of us, with me being the last. She started with Elder, then Ms. Sandra, and Oga Emma. Wow! That lady’s massage is one of a kind. She is an expert in wellness, originally from Germany but relocated to Nigeria. According to her, she feels Nigeria is her home. Her children think she is insane for thinking so, but she is a lover of nature. She did a head massage for me, and I felt deep relief.

It was already midday, and it was getting hot, so we had our lunch Egusi soup and fufu. Some had eba. Meanwhile, our ram and goat suya were in progress.

Wait! Let’s give a big shoutout to Ms. Otes that girl finished work in the kitchen department. Mrs. Magdaline and Mrs. Eze wonderful job! And Chef T Elder enjoyed that grilled fish. Thank you, ladies, for representing us.

Then we went back to the water. Some groups went to the main waterfall. Asa, Vivian, and others played some games, while some couples decided to show us how single we are 😏. We go dey alright.

This time, everyone was out for the water. Elder did some meditation in the river, Mr. Jossie had a reflective moment being the walking podcast that he is.

In the water, someone found a spot where you could sit, but you wouldn’t be seen. You could see the excitement on everyone’s faces.

After 30 minutes in the water, it was time for suya and then to return to Abuja. While we ate, some people took to the dance floor once again.

On our way out of the waterfall to the parking lot, there was a steep climb. Some people were panting, and we teased them, saying, After eating and drinking, now you’re paying for it! 😆

Mrs. Magdaline’s tire got busted, so we had to wait for it to get fixed. While that was ongoing, I took out my food and ate.

Then I and Sefiey struck up a conversation about relationships how some people take advantage of the fact that someone expresses their feelings. We talked about how some ladies will tell a guy they just want to be friends, yet they expect a relationship-type treatment. I told him, If guys had more self-respect, ladies wouldn’t want to disrespect them. Well, some would still disrespect them though, because people sometimes treat others based on their own perspective.

Then Eddie and Jossie decided to banter with me, even Hercule too, saying I only wear big trousers even entering the water with them. I love it! Keeping to my values while having fun is a plus for me.

The car was fixed, and it was time to start driving back. This Niger road is full of trailers and lorries one needs to drive with care. Plus, there was traffic too.

We drove in a convoy. When one car wasn’t seen, they stopped to wait for it to join. As soon as it got to where they stopped, we all got down and had a quick group selfie. The weather was calm and cool due to rain falling in other parts of the state.

We got to Abuja in two hours. We had a quick stop at a bubble tea shop where I got oregano and coffee tea amazing taste! I asked them not to add any sugar syrup. Queen Lizzy had her own mix of bubble tea too. More to your pocket.

Finally got home no light. But my sweet neighbor put on the generator for us. I had a warm water bath and started penning down all these memories.

Shoutout to Mr. Solomon for giving us pictures to capture the memories of this day. A gentle soul with a love for creativity his photos are sharp and beautiful, capturing the essence of the experience and beyond. Thank you, sir, for your time and camera lens.

This experience was worth the drive and time.

Special thanks to our major donors (Mr. Henry, Oscar, Emmanuel, and Ms. Sandra) may your accounts be blessed. And to us, the small donors, we did well too!

You need to visit this waterfall! When next you’re on holiday, make sure to come with your food that’s all you need. And know that it’s an all-day affair.

The gratitude lesson from this experience is about appreciating nature, companionship, and shared experiences.

1. Nature’s Beauty: The breathtaking waterfall and serene environment serve as a reminder of the wonders of creation. Gratitude for the gift of water, which takes any form yet remains unchanged, is a lesson in adaptability and resilience.

2. Friendship & Teamwork: From shared meals to helping hands on the hike, the trip highlighted the value of companionship and community. Small acts of kindness carrying a bag, sharing food, or guiding others create lasting bonds.

3.  Mindfulness & Reflection: Meditation in the water, moments of quiet appreciation, and even fun banter reinforced the importance of being present and savoring experiences.

4. Resilience & Adventure: Challenges like slippery rocks, hiking barefoot, and unexpected obstacles reminded everyone that perseverance and adaptability lead to growth and joy.

Ultimately, gratitude is found in nature’s beauty, the kindness of others, and the ability to create cherished memories.

Peace unto you.

Next stop: Fari Ruwa Waterfall!