Fascinating wonders of Erin Ijesha Waterfalls

Also known as Olumirin Waterfalls, Erin Ijesha Waterfall is a natural sauna.

It’s a site to behold & appreciate the wonders of nature.

Olumirin Waterfalls is located in Erin Ijesha, Osun State Nigeria, according to a study carried out on the site, the water is situated within 7°30’ and 8°45’ North and longitude 4°31’ and 5°East, it is one of the very few water bodies where fresh prawns thrive and which has some feel of wildlife.

The waterfall is 2km off Erin Ijesha town, which lies 20km east of Ilesha on the Ilesha-Akure Road in Osun state. When it was first discovered, the waterfall was said to have the appearance of a mysterious creature so that no one dared move near it for fear of being swallowed up. It was believed to be a living spirit through whose several mouths water gushed out; a very tall and huge spirit whose height reached to the high heavens. The inhabitants thereafter named the fall “Olumirin” meaning another god whose power over the whole area was only similar to Akinla, the founder of Erin Ijesha town.

Erin Garden is a thick forest, which houses Olumirin Water Falls. According to one of the custodians of the waterfall, it was discovered by a woman called Akinla, founder of Erin-Ijesha town and a granddaughter of Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba nation, in the year 1140 AD during the migration of Ife people to Erin-Ijesa.

Amazingly, when you arrive at the falls, it doesn’t look like anything out of this world until you begin climbing the seven levels of the ascending plains of the waterfalls.

The view at all levels is wonderful and the freshness of the water is energizing. However, the last and seventh level is definitely the most intriguing, well that’s if you ever dared the torturous climb.

For most tourists and fun seekers, climbing up to the third level can best be equated to traipsing the snowy steeply mount Everest. Obviously, being at these different levels and just basking in the invigorating freshness of the falls is an unforgettable experience, but guess what?

Olumirin waterfall has about five layers and only few visitors can climb beyond the second layer. The area can also well serve for mountaineering exercise. The breeze at the waterfall is cool and refreshing. The water flows among rocks and splashes down with great force to the evergreen vegetation around. The whole scenery is fascinating. The full flow of the waterfall could be seen during the rainy season.

The place to be is definitely the seventh level. Why? Not only does it lie at the peak of the falls, it is also hosts a settlement where many of its inhabitants have lived for several years.

Visitors to Olumirin Water Falls go away not only appreciating the work of nature, but also wondering how Nigeria could possibly be sitting on such a goldmine without making efforts to explore and indeed dig up the gold. 

Apart from the beautiful site, present at the Erin Ijesha Water fall are also fresh water prawns which belongs to the infraorder Caridea family, Atyidae and genus Caridina (biological terms).

Erin Garden is a thick forest, which houses Olumirin Water Falls. According to one of the custodians of the waterfall, it was discovered by a woman called Akinla, founder of Erin-Ijesha town and a granddaughter of Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba nation, in the year 1140 AD during the migration of Ife people to Erin-Ijesa.

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 Erin-Ijesha waterfalls. I tell you, it’s indeed a sight to behold.

Olumirin is open to tourists throughout the year and the water is said to be capable of healing many ailments such as headache, stomach-ache and skin diseases. People are said to come from all over the country to fetch the water, which they use for curative purposes.