Thomson’s Falls Nyahururu – All You Need To Know

This post looks at all that you need to know about Thomson’s Falls Nyahururu. Thomson’s Falls also referred to as Thomson Falls or Nyahururu Falls is a 74 metres waterfall on the Ewaso Ngiro river in Laikipia County, a few kilometres from Lake Ol Bolossat, which drains from the Aberdare Ranges. It is situated 3 kilometres from Nyahururu town and is 4 hour drive from Nairobi.

Enclosed in riparian vegetation on the slopes of the ranges, the breathtaking falls and the vapour created are a wonder. Tourists can view the falls from above and there is a trail down the bottom of the ravine. Hiking down to the river provides the best views of the waterfall. As you hike down, be cautious of the walkway because it is quite steep. Always bring comfortable hiking shoes and a warm sweater with you because it gets cold as you hike down. Upstream from the falls is one of the highest hippo pools in Kenya. The falls appeared in the TV movie, The Man in The Brown Suit, the movie was in theatres around 1988.

The falls draw visitors from all over the world. Among the activities available here are the colourful birds, the nature trail to the base of the falls, and the traditional dancers by the falls. The traditional dancers at the entrance will happily pose for photographs with visitors for a fee. They also provide information and keep visitors entertained. Visitors include school children, environmental and history enthusiasts, and artists who come to film videos of the scenic view.

Just outside the main entrance, there is a nice children’s play area, a craft village, and shops selling curios and other cultural artefacts. So Thomson’s Falls is a great picnic spot and home to many animals such as Columbus monkeys, baboons, and various bird species. The falls provide a significant economic resource to the nearby town of Nyahururu and the County of Laikipia. The majority of the revenue comes from international and domestic tourists who pay a fee at the gate.

Other nearby attractions include the Hippo sanctuary, which is a kilometre away from Thomson’s Falls Lodge, Aberdare National Park, Solio Ranch, and the famous Ol Pejeta Conservancy, all of which are home to the big five.

History Of Thomson’s Falls Nyahururu

Joseph Thomson was the first to reach the falls in 1883 and named them after his father. Joseph was a Scottish geologist and naturalist who was also the first European to walk from Mombasa to Lake Victoria in the early 1880s. The falls span a height of 72 meters. It contributed to discovering Nyahururu town and giving it its Colonial name. It is one of the major economic resources for the town of Nyahururu.

Thomson found this to be a haven and built a sprawling cottage overlooking the falls. The main house was a brick cottage spread out on the beautifully manicured lanes that have been kept up to this day. After the amazing falls were discovered, the area began to receive many visitors, and Sir Thomson realised that he couldn’t accommodate them all in his house, so he devised the idea of building cottages within his compound to accommodate the large influx of guests for a small fee. The majority of his visitors were white explorers and game hunters who were captivated by the beauty and stories of the falls and used to flock to Laikipia during the game season. This is the current Thomson’s, Falls Lodge.

Also located just next to the falls is Panari resort, Nyahururu which offers a choice of accommodation, all with breathtaking views of the Thomson’s Falls gorge, Ewaso Nyiro river and the Marmanet Forest.

Thomson’s Falls Nyahururu Entry Fees

Thomson’s Falls Nyahururu Opening Hours

The falls is open at 7 am and closed at 6 pm every day of the week, this includes weekdays and public holidays.

Best Time To Visit Thomson’s Falls Nyahururu

Thomson Falls’ climate is oceanic. It receives rainfall almost every month of the year. Thomson is best visited between January and May, and again between August and December. The weather is pleasant during these months, with little rain.

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