Kpatawee, Bong County – “Dinner will soon be ready,” shouts Josephine Salee, to newly-arriving guests at the Kpatawee Waterfalls, a quiet escape in one of Liberia’s most populous counties.
Rodney D. Sieh, [email protected]
The rapidly emerging tourists’ haven is fast becoming a weekend hideaway, outside the busy capital, Monrovia.
Josephine is not lost on the fact that tourism has been non-existent in Liberia for years which is why she aspires to change the negative narratives mostly associated with the post-war nation, nursing a bourgeoning democracy, and still struggling to put its broken past behind.
For years, Josephine had hoped to create an environment that would easily bring the world to Liberia. She says, everything began with her love of nature and Liberia. “Throughout my years of nature appreciation, I have worked very hard to develop a passion for charge, and this dream has come true at Kpatawee. People have always had these beautiful waterfalls, but it takes a crazy mind to move in and help put Liberia on the map. So, I turned crazy!.”
The falls offer guests an opportunity to take a bath under the stars in one of the Resorts bamboo stalls. Wake up to the soothing sound of the waterfall in a beautiful and comfortable tent.
Josephine trumpets Kpatawee’s amazing breakfast as another reason why many are becoming attracted to the escape.
Bright Spot for Dull Tourist Nation
Guests too crave the fact that Kpatawee gives them a chance to put their phones away as they enjoy the quiet and serene nature of Liberia in the rainforest at one the country’s most exciting resorts.
Josephine is gradually transforming the little huts on the site, she refers to as the as ‘Gbaffas’, which means, under the shades in the Kpelleh tribe.
A double bed at the resort goes for $US100 while single beds run at US$75.
The Kpatawee attraction comes as Liberia is aiming to generate US$120 million from its declining tourism sector by 2025.
Last January, the George Weah-led government embarked on the ambitious target aiming to compete with other countries like Ghana, Ivory Coast and The Gambia, where the sector is already booming.
The new tourism plan rests on getting tourists informed and encouraging them to visit Liberia, delivering on the brand promise, predicts that by 2025, Liberia will be an up-and-coming, fast-growing, and increasingly sought-after travel destination among international nature and adventure sports enthusiasts, making Liberia a destination for at least 80,000 visitors.
Additionally, the government is aiming to benefit from 2,000 sustained jobs across the tourism value chain and a revenue of US$120 million.
Bong County, boasting a population of 328,919 is already seeing benefits from the presence of the Kpatawee Waterfalls with some residents enjoying employment.
Boosting Employment for Locals
Isaac Redd Jr., the new Kpatawee Waterfalls manager says the falls is not only generating employment but also contributing to the growth of the educational system. “Our corporate social responsibility includes this. Isaac informs me that 186 children are prepared to begin school, up from 26 on his first day of volunteering. We have started remodeling the classrooms and preparing the children’s play area. It’s interesting to observe how excited the kids are to go to school.”
Redd is hopeful that Kpatawee, with the necessary and appropriate help from government, has the potential to be Africa’s top tourist destination. “It’s a big idea, but it can come true with everyone in Liberia working together and providing the necessary support. The local community can become better farmers, have better schools, a better road system, a better clinic, and a better quality of life with the correct assistance. Let’s build Liberia together.”
Redd says the natural beauty of Kpatawee is its main draw. “The environment’s air is deserving of giving one more years to live. The breathtaking waterfalls, birdwatching, trees, butterflies, hiking while connecting with nature, the sunset, and of course the natural cuisine are some of the main attractions in Kpatawee.”
Road Access Presents Challenge
Despite the growing interests in Kpatawee, there are some challenges with road connectivity, prompting Redd to dedicate himself to the area. “The year I initially moved in, due to the inadequate road connectivity, it has been challenging to get in touch with the Kpatawee Clan. Yet, for the most part, we have built with the community. Our corporate responsibilities include assisting the villages in enhancing their quality of life. This covers the preservation of the wildlife and the protection of the forest. The community school has been restarted, but we lack qualified teachers to assist with the students’ instruction. There is no easily accessible clinic in the seven closest towns. They are a few of my challenging tasks.”
For Redd, the biggest reward is knowing that visitors leave the falls with a massive impression. “I’ve received several remarks from both domestic and foreign tourists over the past two years. I thought back to 2022, when a visitor from Finland remarked that it was “the nicest and most beautiful place I have ever seen in West Africa, with amazing people and services.” We had the most beautiful spot on earth, a Belgian speaker added. These comments inspire me to work harder.”