Ogbaukwu Cave and Waterfall

Useful Information

Location:	Owerre-Ezukala 423112, Anambra, Nigeria. Iyiafor village of Owerre-Ezukala, 75 km east of Onitsha. (6.041081, 7.322830)
Open:	no restrictions. [2025]
Fee:	free. [2025]
Classification:	Caves Behind Waterfalls Erosional Cave Karst Cave
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:	L=10,000 m.
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:	Edmund Itanyi, Emeka Okonkwo, Eyisi A.P (2013): A preliminary Study of Caves, Rock-Shelters and Water falls in Owere-Ezukala,Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Njigeria Journal of Tourism and Heritage Studies. Volume 2 No.1, pp: 30-41. researchgate
Address:	Ogbaukwu Cave and Waterfall, Owerre-Ezukala 423112, Anambra, Nigeria, Tel: +234-.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

Ogbaukwu Cave and Waterfall is located about 1 km north of the town Owerre Ezukala at the end of the road, hence it is also known as Owerre-Ezukala Cave. Some call it the largest cave of Nigera, and actually Ogba and Úkwú are Igbo words for ‘cave’ and ‘great’. Unfortunately we have no way to check this and there is no official statistics. On the other hand, most caves are tiny erosional caves in granite or sandstone, so this one, which is said to be 10 km long, is probably the largest. However, the 10 km are most likely wrong, as it would most liekly be listed on the long caves list then.

The most impressive part is the huge shelter or waterfall cave. A huge overhanging cliff forms a niche, a waterfall falls down and creates a large plunge pool. Some say there are actually four niches which are connected, and the waterfall is in the second. The first two niches are 16 m wide while the next two are more than 30 m wide. The site is reached down a long staircase from the parking lot with 75 steps. The trail goes into the shelter on the right side and crosses it completely. The fourth and last shelter has three cave entrances which look partly artificial, probably the locals extend natural opening, although it is not clear for what reason. Probably to store food, because it’s cooler here.

On the other side there are actually real caves. One is an entrance leading into a passage, which is not spacious but big enough to walk upright. There is a chamber with an exit to the surface and a second passage. Following this passage to the end a third entrance is reached. Then there is a huge rock which was used to place candles for prayer, with another cave entrance behind.

There are plans to submit the site to the UNESCO WHL and develop it as a tourist site.