Jinbar Falls (Jin Bahir Falls)

Coordinates:	13.2388 N 38.0744 E
No:	242        (list of all attractions)
Category:	Waterfalls
Values:	Geology, Visual
Rank:	3
Address:	Africa, Ethiopia, Amhara, Semien Gondar Zone, Simien National Park, falls over the rim of Geech Abyss
Height:	> 500 m
Alternate names:	Jin Bahir Falls, Jinbar Wenz, Gishe, Geech, Kabal

Jinbar Falls.
Giustino, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Jinbar Falls.
Justin Clements, Flickr, CC BY 2.0

Jinbar Falls.
Damien Halleux Radermecker, Flickr, CC BY 2.0

One of the tallest waterfalls in Africa is the little known Jinbar Falls, which are more than 500 m high.

Waterfall is located in one of the most dramatic locations of Simien Mountains - in Geech Abyss (Gishe Abbai). This narrow, canyon like abyss is considered to be up to 800 m deep.

Jinbar river (Jinbar Wenz) is some 9 km long stream, collecting the precipitation of the northernmost part of Simien Plateau. This land is covered with unusual ecosystem - alpine grassland dominated by giant lobelias, while deeper in valleys grows a forest of Erica.

As the river reaches the abyss, it falls in it from an impressive canyon. Thus their height is less than the depth of abyss but nevertheless - more (possibily a lot more) than 500 m.

The river drops like a thin line down. At half of the falls water is turned in mist. Fall is not entirely in a single plunge - it hits the nearly vertical cliff several times, especially if wind drives it into the cliffs. At the base it forms a smaller cascade.

At rainy weather the falls become very impressive, but some water here is all the time.

Map

See Jinbar Falls on the map of Ethiopia!

References

1. Almost whole fall is visible in this image by Rob de Hair. Taken in October 9, 2010. Accessed in 18th July 2011.
2. Images: 1, 2, 3, by Brian J. McMorrow, 23rd January 2009. Accessed in 18th July 2011.
3. Image of the lower part of falls by Brad Stell, 2008. Accessed in 18th July 2011.