Nigeria is home to beautiful landscapes, but some of its finest natural wonders remain hidden until you discover them. Take secret waterfalls, for instance splendid, pristine, and off-the-grid. They’re among Nigeria’s most captivating natural spots. Beyond their beauty, these waterfalls offer a mix of adventure, serenity, and a refreshing escape into nature.

As more Nigerians choose local destinations for holidays and sightseeing, these hidden gems are gaining media attention. While Erin Ijesha in Osun State remains a top tourist magnet, other lesser-known waterfalls also deserve a spot on every traveller’s list.

Awhum Waterfall – Enugu State

Located within the hidden grounds of a monastery in Enugu State, Awhum Waterfall offers a peaceful blend of spirituality and nature. Water flows from a cave and drops nearly 30 meters onto moss-covered rocks, creating a calm and almost sacred atmosphere. According to local folklore, the waterfall is believed to have healing properties. A short jungle trail leads visitors to the site, making both the journey and the destination equally rewarding.

Matsirga Waterfalls – Kaduna State

Matsirga Waterfalls, located in Madakiya village, Kafanchan, is a stunning sight. The water drops about 25 meters into lush greenery surrounded by plain land and thick forests. With less development around, it offers visitors a peaceful retreat—ideal for hiking, camping, or simply soaking up peace.

Owu Waterfall – Kwara State

Owu Waterfall is the tallest waterfall in West Africa—a stunning display of nature’s unmatched power. The water cascades in a single, graceful drop. Nestled in a fairly remote area, Owu remains a fresh retreat for those seeking adventure off the beaten path and a look of untouched wilderness.

Farin Ruwa Waterfall – Nasarawa State

Farin Ruwa, meaning “white water” in Hausa, is one of Nigeria’s most regal waterfalls. Located in Wamba, Nasarawa State, it falls over 150 meters, competing with some of the world’s most famous waterfalls in terms of power and grace. With wooded hills and indigenous wildlife surrounding it, it’s every nature lover’s and photographer’s dream paradise.

Gurara Waterfalls – Niger State

Located along the Suleja-Minna road in Gurara Local Government Area, Gurara Waterfalls is a seasonal natural wonder. When the rains come, the waterfall bursts to life, with water thundering over the rocks in a breathtaking display. During the dry season, it transforms into a peaceful waterhole with shallow pools, perfect for splashing and cooling off. Gurara is wild, natural, and rich with local legends, making every visit a unique experience.

More Than a View—A Call to Explore Responsibly

These waterfalls are not just beautiful sights—they are an invitation to responsible exploration. Let go of your digital experience, fall into local knowledge, and get in touch with nature at its simplest.

“Those plunge waterfalls are Nigeria’s unexplored heart,” says Tolu Adeniyi, founder of travel website Explore Naija. “Powerful, yet serene—ideal for anyone willing to experience Nigeria outside the cities.” Alone, with that special person, or with the whole family, these unconventional spots guarantee an experience as fulfilling as the destination itself.

Sometimes, the strongest feelings don’t come with big gestures or constant texts. Instead, they appear in small moments—the way they glance your way when they think you’re not looking or how they bring up something you mentioned weeks ago, as if it stuck with them. When someone often has you on their mind, they show it in ways you might not expect.

They Reach Out at Unexpected Times

It’s not about flooding your phone with messages. Instead, it’s when you get a thoughtful note or call out of the blue, just because you crossed their mind. Maybe it’s a quick message sharing a song or a memory that reminded them of you. These small acts show you’re part of their everyday thoughts, even when you’re apart.

They Pay Attention to What You Say

When someone is really thinking about you, they listen carefully. They notice when you’re tired without you saying it outright or remember your favourite things without being reminded. Actions like bringing you snacks or checking in at the right moment mean they’re tuned in beyond the surface.

Their Body Language Shows It

Look for subtle cues—the way their eyes soften when they see you, or how they lean in just a little closer during conversations. Sometimes, they find reasons to touch your hand briefly or smooth your hair aside. These gestures reveal they’re mentally present with you, even in a crowded room.

They Recall the Details

You might be surprised how much they remember—from your favourite snack to a movie you mentioned wanting to see. Remembering these small details isn’t accidental; it’s a sign they value what you share and hold it close.

You Catch Them Smiling for No Clear Reason

Have you noticed them smiling when there’s no obvious cause? Chances are, they’re replaying a private moment or simply thinking of you. That quiet smile is a glimpse into their thoughts.

In Closing

You don’t always need grand words or big actions to know someone’s thinking about you. Often, it’s the small signs—quiet reminders woven into daily life—that show you’re on their mind. When your partner does these things, it means you matter more than they might say outright.

Missing someone hits differently when the lights are out and the silence settles in. It’s not always about the big things—sometimes, it’s the small habits you shared. The way they reached for your hand without thinking. The sound of their keys dropping by the door. In long-distance relationships, staying sexually connected can feel like the obvious way to keep things alive. But after a while, you start to wonder: is that really enough?

There’s More to Closeness Than Intimacy

Sex might feel like the most urgent thing missing—but it’s rarely the only thing. What we often need more than anything is presence. The comfort of sitting in the same room without speaking. Running errands together. Arguing over what to watch on Netflix. These aren’t glamorous moments, but they build the kind of bond that keeps people grounded in each other’s lives. When you’re apart, physical intimacy becomes symbolic—but it doesn’t always fill the silence.

It Carry Everything

A lot of couples lean heavily on sexting, video calls, and flirting to hold things together. It works—for a while. But emotional connection needs more than desire. It needs real check-ins: How are you really? What’s stressing you out? What made you laugh today? Without these conversations, it’s easy to start feeling like you’re just acting close instead of actually being close.

Loneliness Doesn’t Always Feel Loud

You can talk every day and still feel a gap. Even with all the affection, something can start to feel hollow. Not because you don’t care about each other—but because real connection also lives in silence, in habits, in unspoken routines. Sometimes, what you miss isn’t sex at all. You just want someone next to you when you’re tired. Someone who knows your face without needing to ask if you’re okay.

So, Is Sex Enough?

No. It’s important—but it’s not the full story. Relationships built only on physical connection, especially from a distance, tend to wear thin. You need something steadier. Shared goals. Honest conversations. A rhythm that doesn’t depend on chemistry alone. Because when life gets hard, or when the spark goes quiet for a while—as it always does—you’ll need something deeper to return to.

What Keeps You Together When You’re Apart

Set routines that go beyond desire. Watch a series together. Talk about your daily routines, not just fantasies. Share your worries, your plans, your boring days. Send voice notes instead of texts when you can. Let them hear your tone. Let them hear your tiredness, your laughter, even your silence. These things help build something real—something that feels close, even across a distance.

Distance is hard. No need to pretend otherwise. But if you want something real, then you have to build more than heat. You have to build warmth.