MaxFM WAINGAPU – SUMBA – When it comes to waterfalls in Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) is the place to be, offering numerous breathtaking locations. From the easternmost tip of East Sumba to Southwest Sumba, there are plenty of waterfalls to explore.

Here are some notable ones I’ve visited:
1. Waimarang Waterfall in Uma Lulu District, East Sumba
2. The Waterfall near PLTMH Mbaku Hau in Kahaungu Eti District, East Sumba
3. The Waterfall known as Kolam Jodoh in Uma Manu Village, Lewa Tidahu District, East Sumba
4. Tanggedu Waterfall in Kanatang District, East Sumba
5. Watu Otur Waterfall in Nggaha Ori Angu District, East Sumba
6. Various waterfalls in Central Sumba
7. Lapopu Waterfall in Wanokaka District, West Sumba
8. Wee Kacura Waterfall in Southwest Sumba

Of course, there are many other waterfall locations in Sumba that I have yet to visit, which could easily be added to this list.

This time, I want to share my experiences at Wee Kacura Waterfall.

I have visited Wee Kacura Waterfall in Southwest Sumba several times, and it never gets old. Each visit brings a different atmosphere, making every trip unique and memorable.

When visitors come during the lush green season of the rice fields, the surroundings of Wee Kacura Waterfall are painted in vibrant greenery as far as the eye can see. If they visit when the rice is ripening, the area around the waterfall turns into a golden-brown landscape. This transformation occurs because Wee Kacura Waterfall is situated amidst the rice paddies in Tema Tana village, Waijewa Timur District, with Elopada as the district capital.

The source of Wee Kacura Waterfall is a spring that emerges from a stone cave, known by the locals as Waikelo Sawah. The water from Waikelo Sawah flows towards the river, leading to the Wee Kacura Waterfall, and is also channeled into large irrigation ditches that supply water to the vast rice paddies in Tema Tana village. This irrigation system supports approximately 1,500 hectares of rice fields surrounding Wee Kacura Waterfall.

Reaching waterfall locations is generally not easy. The paths are often steep, winding, and far from parking areas, requiring extra effort both to arrive and to return. Recently, one of our companions nearly fainted on the way back from a waterfall due to the strenuous climb, clinging to small bamboo railings along the path. We had to stop multiple times on the uphill trek, waiting for our friend to regain strength.

This is starkly different from the experience at Wee Kacura Waterfall. Access to this waterfall is remarkably easy. The road leading to Wee Kacura Waterfall is wide, and according to local residents I spoke with, it might even be paved with hot mix asphalt this week, on Saturday (July 6, 2024).

From Waikabubak, the capital of West Sumba, it takes only about 23 minutes or 14 kilometers to reach Wee Kacura. If traveling from Waitabula, the capital of Southwest Sumba, it takes around 43 minutes or 29 kilometers according to Google Maps.

From the parking area on the road that cuts through the rice fields, it takes just a five-minute walk to reach Wee Kacura Waterfall, and even five minutes feels long. The path to the waterfall is flat, even, and not steep at all, unlike other waterfall locations, making it very convenient and enjoyable for visitors to Wee Kacura.

After getting off the vehicle, visitors only need to walk to the east side of the road, where locals have arranged a footpath that crosses a water channel and leads visitors along the edges of rice paddies to get close to the waterfall. The path then slopes gently downhill, making it easy even for older visitors.

In addition to enjoying Wee Kacura Waterfall, visitors can also take in the beautiful landscape of rice fields surrounding the waterfall. The neatly terraced fields stretch from the upper sides of the paddies to the lower end of the scenic landscape.

When photos or videos are taken with a drone from the air, Wee Kacura Waterfall appears as just a small part of the expansive rice fields visible from the drone’s perspective. At least two focal points can be highlighted in photos or videos here: the waterfall and the vast rice fields.

In my experience of enjoying Wee Kacura Waterfall, visitors are unending, especially on holidays and weekends. Locals and international tourists come in waves, and some even visit until late at night.

During my visit to Wee Kacura Waterfall on Saturday (29/06/2024), I encountered a group of visitors from Yogyakarta who arrived in a convoy of Jeeps labelled “Rubicon” on the vehicles. Given the easy access to Wee Kacura Waterfall, this location is bound to become a must-visit destination for tourists exploring Sumba. [HD]

Translator : Itha Priyastiti