Sof Omar - Mythical Caves
 A highlight of any visit to Bale Mountains is time spent exploring the Sof Omar Caves, where the Web River vanishes into a giant underground world of arched portals, high eroded ceilings and deep vaulted echo chambers. The caves now an Important Islamic shrine, named after the saintly Sheikh Sof Omar, have a religious history that predates the arrival of Muslims in the" Bale region.
The approach to the caves is made through a tiny village, behind which is a footpath leading to a realm of soaring pillars, flying buttresses, fluted archways and tall airy vaults. Finally the river itself is reached and by torchlight it can be seen gushing along its course below. A spectacular sight is the 'Chamber of columns' - so called after its colossal limestone pillars that are its dominant feature.
The countryside around the caves abounds with wildlife - kudu, serval cats, rock hyrax, giant tortoises, snakes, lizards, as well as more than 50 species of birds.
Again, it is the people that top off the Sof Omar experience. They go about their daily chores smiling, regardless of being photographed by foreign visitors. |
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