The Blue Nile Falls, which is well-known as the Tis Abay, meaning ‘Smoking Water’ is definitely one of the best tourist spots on the Earth. The Blue Nile Falls is so called because at the time of heavy floods, the water current is so high that there is a changeover in the water color which (seems) to be almost black, and moreover, in Sudanese language, the word for black is used instead of blue also.
The gorgeous Blue Nile River, originating from Lake Tana in Ethiopia, is over 400 meters wide when flooded and drops over a clear chasm of about 45 meters deep steep, throwing continuous water spray, drenching the onlookers standing almost a kilometer away from the actual spot. The Blue Nile forms one of the two major tributaries of River Nile along with the White Nile. The Blue Nile which starts its journey from the south of Lake Tana crosses Ethiopia and flows southwest towards Sudan. It then enters a canyon, which is 400 km long, situated within 30 km from its origin in Lake Tana. It is at this juncture that the power of the Blue Nile, which transforms into the roaring Blue Nile Falls, should be appreciated.
The Blue Nile Falls are undoubtedly considered to be best known tourist attractions in Ethiopia. The mind blowing power of these falls is made use of by the hydro electric power station, erected in 2003. It is the Blue Nile Falls that have totally isolated the ecology of Lake Tana from the rest of the Nile, which has surely played an important role in the evolution of the rare endemic fauna of Lake Tana.
A stiff climb up to a grassy hillside gives a marvelous view of the Blue Nile Falls. The misty deluge creates beautiful rainbows, seen unclear across the gorge, and also a comparatively small perennial rainforest with lush green vegetation, which is a delightful refuge to the different varieties of monkeys and the multi-colored birds that that occupy the area. It would be an exciting and evergreen experience for anyone and everyone who visits this tremendous Blue Nile Falls!