To reach Kpa-Tawee you walk through the rainforest on a shaded path, listening to the rush of water getting louder as you get closer. The moment you step out of the trees and see the waterfall, the air feels cooler and everything smells fresh and earthy — just like nature's own air conditioner.
The pool at the base of the falls is perfect for swimming. The water comes straight off the forested hillside, so it is crystal clear and refreshingly cool even in the hot Liberian summer. On weekends, you might find whole extended families spread out on the rocks, sharing food and laughing while children splash in the shallows.
Waterfalls like Kpa-Tawee form when a river flows over a layer of hard rock and then reaches softer rock below — the softer rock wears away faster and the water drops. Over thousands of years, the falling water slowly carves out the pool at the bottom. The rocks around Kpa-Tawee are covered in bright green moss and tiny ferns that love the constant spray.