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Last year Tiwa Savage visited Boti Falls in Ghana to create content there and it looked stunning. You don’t have to be a celebrity or a professional videographer to capture the great time you had at a waterfall. Sometimes there is more to consider when visiting a waterfall than just the pictures and videos there. Here are 10 safety tips for visiting a waterfall in Nigeria:
- Stay on the marked trail as led by the local tour guide. If you are off on a self-discovery adventure of an undisclosed waterfall, follow the path that seems most used.
- Observe the surrounding area to enable you to retrace your steps if you get lost. If there are signs on the way to the waterfall, note the message they are passing. Don’t ignore the signs.
- If you are going with kids or pets, monitor them throughout the journey. They can misjudge the slickness of the rock and slip on it while climbing. Or they might not know the strength of the flow of water and get carried away with the current.
- Carry your insect repellant, sunscreen, hat, sunshades and lip balm. Most waterfalls in Nigeria hide in forest regions, a few are on rocky plains. So there are insects like sandflies, mosquitoes, ticks, etc. an insect repellant won’t keep them at bay forever, but it might make your hike less tedious. If your lips get chapped, having a lip balm handy can be a blessing. Sunscreen, sunglasses and hats are necessary to protect you from long exposure to UV rays while hiking to the waterfall if the tree density is sparse.
- If you make it to the top of a waterfall-like the Erin-Ijesha waterfall that has seven levels, don’t lean over the edge to look down. You could lose your balance and fall.
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- When at the waterfall, don’t dive into the pools or jump off a rock on the falls to dive in. Also, don’t swim or wade upstream on a lazy waterfall.
- Stay vigilant and watch out for slick rocks around the falls. Those are dangerous places to stay for a photo. Dry rocks covered in algae are just as dangerous as wet rocks because they are both slippery. Try to find a safe and solid location before snapping your shots or making videos. Don’t get so focused on getting a great shot, you forget to secure your footing.
- Check the weather forecast before heading out. Waterfalls are most breathtaking during the rainy season. But even in the dry season, there can be days of occasional unexpected rainfalls. A change in the weather might make the surrounding area around the waterfall more hazardous. Rains bring with them flash floods and more slippery surfaces that might catch you off-guard.
- Don’t visit a waterfall alone. Always go with a buddy or carry a GPS and cellphone around with you. That way, if you get lost or something happens to you, there can be someone to help.
- Carry an emergency kit in your backpack. Sometimes we can be extremely careful and an accident would still occur. With a first aid kit and medication, you can tackle a bruise or provide relief for any injury that might make getting back to your starting point difficult.
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