Thomson's Falls

Thomson's Falls.

Thomson's Falls is a 74 metres (243 ft) scenic waterfall on the Ewaso Ng'iro river, which drains from the Aberdare Mountain Range. It is situated 3 kilometres (2 mi) from the town of Nyahururu in central Kenya, at 2,360 metres (7,740 ft) elevation. In 1883 Joseph Thomson was the first European to reach Thomson Falls, and named them for his father. Wrote Thomson,

I was impressed mightily by the stupendous thundering of the waters which in magnificent mass plunged down several hundred feet into a fearful gloomy gorge. ... The crevices give support to a splendid drapery of creepers and bushes, the spray from the waters yielding the necessary sustenance. Among other plants wild bananas are to be seen.

— Joseph Thomson[1]

Thomson was a Scottish geologist and naturalist who was also the first European to walk from Mombasa to Lake Victoria in the early 1880s.[2]

Visitors can view the falls from above, or there's a trail down to the bottom of the ravine. Upstream from the falls is one of the highest hippo pools in Kenya.

Ewaso Narok River is a tributary of the Ewaso Ng'iro river. The falls span a height of 72 meters. It is a major economic resource for the adjacent town of Nyahururu. Most of the revenue is received from tourists, both international and domestic, who are charged at the gate.

This is an aerial view of Thompson Falls, located in Nyahururu, Kenya.

The Falls appeared in the TV Movie The Man in the Brown Suit (1988).

References

  1. ↑ Joseph Thomson. 1887. Through Masai Land: a journey of exploration among the snowclad volcanic mountains and strange tribes of eastern equatorial Africa. Being the narrative of the Royal Geographical Society's Expedition to mount Kenia and lake Victoria Nyanza, 1883-1884. London: Samson Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington, p. 218
  2. ↑ "Culture and Customs of Kenya", p. 5, by N. W. Sobania

Coordinates: 0°02′39″N 36°22′13″E / 0.04417°N 36.37028°E / 0.04417; 36.37028


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