By Cynthia Akande
Nigeria is a beautiful country endowed with many awe-inspiring natural attractions.
These wonder sites have existed for centuries and after all these centuries, these natural wonders have not diminished their picturesque splendour.
If you have a travel bucket list and want to explore Nigeria, these five wonders are a must visit:
Farin Ruwa Fall
Farin Ruwa Waterfalls is a captivating waterfall; tumbling 150 metres high and 50 metres wide creating a breathtaking natural spectacle. It is located in Wamba Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The falls, as a result of its white colour, appears in the distance to the inhabitants of the Farin Ruwa area like white smoke on the mountains. This white nature of the falls earned it the name Farin Ruwa from the inhabitants.
Farin Ruwa is such a magnificent natural wonder in Nigeria. Its splendour can only be compared with Zambia’s Victoria Falls and Canada’s Niagara Falls.
Ogbunike Caves
The Ogbunike caves are actually a system of many caves linked together by small, tunnels and passages. They take their name from Ogbunike, a town in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State where they are situated.
This natural wonder in Nigeria is divided into sections and there are different stories about each section.
The entrance to the five tunnels of the cave is a wide and tapering hemispherical vault of rock.
The naturally-carved network of tunnels and chambers has two levels. The lower level is 100 metres long, which leads to an underground river. The upper level is twice as long and dry.
Water drops perpetually from the roof of the caves at many points; spiritualists believe that it is healing water and many come to collect it for varying purposes.
Idanre Hills
Idanre hill is one of those rare places where beauty, mystery, and majesty speaks with the voice of silence.
Idanre Hills is situated in Idanre/Ifedore local government area in Ondo State. These hills are one of the amazing natural wonders in Nigeria. One of the hills has 600 steps, which has to be climbed before you can get to its peak. When you get to the top of the hill, you’ll be surrounded by the most beautiful scenery.
The people of Idanre have existed for 800 years. For over 700 of those years, they lived in the hills. It wasn’t until 1928 that they then moved to settle on ground level.
Ikogosi Warm and Cold Springs:
The Ikogosi Warm Spring . It is a unique natural phenomenon where warm water pushes out from the belly of the ground, and flows down a small hill. A little further from where the warm water springs out, there is also a spot where the cold water is gushing out. Side by side with the warm water, the water flows down foaming a small stream in the process.The spring water is believed to have a healing effect on diseases.
Ado Awaye Suspended Lake
Ado Awaye lake is a geologic wonder and is popular for its awe-inspiring beauty.
The fact that Ado Awaye is one of the only two Suspended Lakes in the whole world makes it an instant destination choice for tourists. The other suspended lake, Hanging Lake lies in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado.
The Ado Awaye lake is located on Iyake Mountains that sprawl around the sleepy town of Ado Awaye.
Locals claim the mountains were homes to immigrant Awori dwellers that chose the mountaintop as a refuge from rampaging Dahomey Armies in the 19th century.
Iyake Lake is the most prominent attraction on the mountains. It is a diameter shaped lake with green like water. No one knows the depth of the lake.