位于尼日利亚首都阿布贾北郊的乌苏马水坝(Lower Usuma Dam)是这座城市的脉搏。作为阿布贾联邦首都区(FCT)最核心的供水基地,它在1987年正式投产首个处理厂,如今承担着全市超过80%的淡水供应。对于久居喧嚣市区的居民或初到西非的游客来说,这里不仅是一项宏大的水利工程,更是逃离燥热、回归山野的天然屏障。如果你厌倦了千篇一律的购物中心,驱车向北走上约26公里,就能看到这片被布瓦里丘陵(Bwari Hills)环抱的湛蓝湖泊。
说实话,站在乌苏马水坝的主坝体上,你很难想象这个蓄水量高达9300万立方米的庞然大物是如何悄无声息地滋养着数百万人口。整个库区占据了大约250公顷的土地,主坝长度达到1.3公里,高度将近47米。1987年一期工程投产后,随后在2000年又扩建了二期,现在的总供水处理能力已经超过了每小时1万立方米。这些冰冷的数字在清晨雾气升腾时会化作极具冲击力的视觉体验:水面平滑如镜,远处的布瓦里丘陵在晨光中勾勒出起伏的剪影。
去水坝的路线其实不算复杂,顺着阿布贾到布瓦里的公路(Dutse-Bwari Road)一直走就行。从市中心CBD出发,路况好的话大概45分钟能到。如果没买私家车,打个Uber或Bolt过去也挺方便,单程价格通常在5000到8000奈拉之间浮动。记得一定要让司机开到最里面的入口,而不是在公路边把你放下,否则那段漫长的步行进场路在西非的烈日下绝对会让你终身难忘。
很多人来这儿就是为了爬山。乌苏马水坝周边的山势虽然不算险峻,但碎石较多,攀爬起来还是有一定趣味性的。从大坝底部的土路开始,有一条被当地徒步团队踩出来的自然路径,可以带你直达山顶。登顶之后,整个蓄水池的形状会清晰地呈现在你眼前,湖水与周围砂质土壤形成的色差非常适合航拍。讲真的,别指望那里有正儿八经的指示牌,最好能跟着当地的徒步社团,或者在入口处找个当地小孩当向导,给个1000奈拉左右的小费他们会带你走那些视野最好的“野生路线”。
湖边停靠着一些当地渔民的小木船,偶尔也会有简易的独木舟提供给游客。虽然这儿不是成熟的商业景区,但跟岸边的船夫聊聊天,花个两三千奈拉就能让他们载你在湖心转上一圈。这种体验和在Jabi Lake划船完全不同,这里更安静,只能听到划水声和远处偶尔传来的鸟鸣。如果是垂钓爱好者,带上简易渔具在岸边坐一下午也是不错的选择,这里生活着不少尼罗河罗非鱼,当地渔民常会在清晨满载而归。
在尼日利亚户外活动,时间管理就是一切。想要徒步的话,务必在清晨6点半左右到达现场。这时候气温通常在20度出头,风吹在身上甚至有点凉意。到了上午10点之后,太阳的毒辣程度会成倍增长,且水坝周围遮阴处极少。雨季(5月到10月)虽然满目苍翠,但徒步路径会非常湿滑,建议优先选择11月到次年3月的旱季前往,这时候虽然尘土多一点,但山景层次感最强,拍照也最出片。
虽然官方没有明文规定必须要买门票,但守门的安保人员通常会象征性地收取500到1000奈拉的“进场费”。遇到这种情况没必要争执,这已经成了当地默认的潜规则。再说食物,这里几乎没有任何商业配套设施,哪怕想买瓶冰镇可乐都费劲。出发前一定要在车里备足饮用水,再带点三明治或披萨。找个靠近岸边的平坦草地,铺上一张野餐垫,这种简单的快乐在阿布贾是非常奢侈的。
目前没有正式的售票处,但游客通常需要给门口的看守或执勤人员支付500至1000奈拉的费用。如果是跟大型徒步团集体前往,领队通常会统一处理这笔钱。建议随身准备一些零散的小额面钞,方便沟通进场。
完全不建议。这里是阿布贾的饮用水源,管理部门严禁在水体中心游泳。此外,水库内部存在抽水设备和深浅不一的水下空洞,且没有配备救生员,贸然下水存在极大的安全风险。
不建议单人前往。由于水坝地处偏郊且面积巨大,遇到突发状况很难第一时间寻求帮助。建议至少三人同行,或者加入每周六清晨阿布贾当地活跃的徒步俱乐部,既解决了安全隐患,也不容易在山里迷路。
完全没有。乌苏马水坝保持着一种非常原始的状态,除了水处理设施外,没有任何商业设施。所有的饮用水、食物、垃圾袋甚至防晒霜都必须自备。最近的补给点在几公里外的库布瓦(Kubwa)或布瓦里镇上。
Ogenyi Raymond Chukwuemeka Great place to go to, even though the place isn't crowded by people and its outskirts of the town, about 30min+ drive. You can just take pictures and do videos only. This place is closed for now by the government. Again You can still go and just take pictures.
Carly Crown A very beautiful tourist attraction however it is not open to the public. Advised to get pre clearance for access. The untouched nature and serenity was one for the books and worthwhile for all nature lovers. An ideal place for excursions and adventures. Only down side is it not being accessible.
Ebby Only a three star because our safety felt threatened with the presence of fully armed men demanding bribes. They did not hurt us but we were surprised by how they treated us and some other visitors. This place is very beautiful but as is the usual with unique places like this in Nigeria, the government needs to do better to maintain and support such locations.
Oluwapelumi Ebinisa I had a good time hiking around this facility. I will definitely recommend for family and group activities. On the other side, more can be done to improve the tourism effect at this facility. Strategic structures and services can be built and offered.
Liesel81 Wow what a gift of nature. Our entrance into the park was graced with the sight of a python unfortunately no longer alive. Apparently the areas surrounding this man made dam is very much a habitat for all sorts of animals and insects. Gosh I can't count how many different types of butterflies we came across but most breathtaking is just the stillness that allows you become on with nature's musical background. There are opportunities to make this a proper tourist attraction like offering guided walks around the place held by locals from surrounding communities. Lovely place to go