Africa’s amazing waterfalls

Africa’s amazing waterfalls

Africa’s amazing waterfalls : Africa is not only renowned and famous for its breathtaking scenery and some amazing wildlife, but also waterfalls, which symbolizes life for the African people. With its interminable water flow, dropping down multiple levels and throwing up glorious spray, which acts like continual rain creating abundant life and drawing tourists from across the world to marvel at its wonders. It’s hard for people not to look at a waterfall and feel inspired by its mesmerizing power and beauty. A river carving its way through the earth then flowing out with a high volume, thunderous roar over its peak before dropping down, continuing on its determined path. Here we explore Africa’s most Amazing waterfalls to help you include them on you’re to do list in Africa.

MURCHISON FALLS – UGANDA

Considered the most powerful waterfall in the world, Murchison Falls is created by the great Nile River thrusting through a narrow gap in a violent roar before crashing down a 140-ft (43 meters) drop and flowing outward into Lake Albert. Murchison Falls is the star attraction of Uganda’s largest national park, which is also named after the falls. Delta cruises along papyrus-lined waterways are the highlights of the trip whether seen from the top of the falls or the Devil’s Cauldron. Welcome to Murchison Falls also known as the World’s Greatest Waterfalls.

Murchison Falls Facts

• Murchison falls was named by the explorer Sir Samuel Baker in 1864 after Sir Roderick Murchison who was the president of Britain’s Royal Geographical Society.
• Queen Elizabeth, the Queen mother visited Murchison Falls national park in 1959 when she stayed in the queen’s cottage at Paraa and where she cruised upriver to view the falls.
• Murchison Falls is the name that was given to the point at which the world’s longest river, the river Nile, is channeled through a narrow gorge within the Rift Valley, descending almost 50metres below.
• Murchison falls pours over the fading escarpment at the northernmost tip Africa’s western rift valley, a 3000km tectonic trench that has opened up between Lake Malawi and northern Uganda during the last twelve million years.

VICTORIA FALLS-ZIMBABWE 

This is one of the seven natural wonders of the world, a UNESCO world heritage site and a tourism hub for the region. It’s on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia in the heart of Southern Africa, and attracting millions of tourists from around the globe to marvel in its sheer volume. Victoria Falls has the largest volume of falling water, with over 5 million cubic meters of water dropping over every minute in peak season and this has earned it the title of the world’s largest waterfall.

Victoria Falls Facts

• The falls have a Width of 1708 meter and 108 meters high.
• They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the seven natural wonders of the World.
• On these falls, the water flows always even in the drought.
• The falls border between 2 countries and consequently, it is a tourism hotspot for tourists.

TUGELA FALLS – SOUTH AFRICA

This is Africa’s tallest waterfall, flowing from the lofty heights of the renowned Drakensberg Mountains. The world’s 10^th largest uninterrupted water drop at a staggering 411 meters. Located on the Tugela River in South Africa’s Royal Natal National Park and popular for tourism. The upper Tugela has been known to freeze, not a common sight in sunny Africa and attracting many people to hike up its side on numerous trails to the frozen peak.  With its narrow width the water flow can be seasonal, and in some years of drought, may dry up entirely. However in peak season, a large volume of water flow drops down its peak, throwing up an impressive spray for people to see.

Tugela Waterfalls Facts

• With a total water drop of 948 meters over 5 levels it is one of the world’s tallest Waterfalls. 
• A tourism hotspot popular for local people and tourists with hiking trails up the side from spray to peak.
• The upper falls of the Tugela has been known to freeze during the winter months.
• Waterfall consists of 5 levels, including Africa’s longest uninterrupted drop of flowing water at 411m.

KONGOU FALLS – GABON

By far Africa’s largest waterfall by width, and to some people, the world’s widest! This flow width creates a large volume of water that has a drop of only 56 meters, but is considered one of the world’s most powerful water flows. The level of flow does drop, particularly in period of drought, but never dries up. During peak season there is a high volume of water flow throwing up a drenching spray for people to see and great for the tourism sector.

Konguo Falls Facts

• The falls bear a width of 3200 meters.
• Popular with people for featuring in the Hollywood blockbuster movie “Tarzan”
• It is one of the more remote waterfall destinations in Africa, but well worth the travel.
• It is considered by some as the original Garden of Eden due to their top most powerful water flows.

KALAMBO FALLS – TANZANIA / ZAMBIA BORDER

Kalambo Falls – Tanzania/ Zambia Border is the second highest, uninterrupted falls in Africa. Found along the Kalambo River which forms the border of Tanzania and Zambia, before flowing into the world renowned Lake Tanganyika. Being one of the most remote waterfalls in Africa, people must first enjoy a 3-4 hour hike up the side of the falls. A mixture of steep gorge and lush plateaus, amongst the spray of the flowing water.

Kalambo Falls Facts

• Single, uninterrupted 235 meter (772 feet) drop of water.
• Width of only 1.8-3 meters
• Ranks 12 thin the world for the tallest waterfall.
• It is one of the most important archeological sites in the whole of Africa
• People living around the falls date back over 250,000 years ago.

OUZOUD FALLS – MORROCCO

These are considered by the local people as one of the most beautiful and romantic of all the world’s waterfalls. Falling over the side of the Atlas Mountains along the El-Abid River before dropping 110 meters down its rugged cliffs. One of the most popular tourist attractions in the whole region, offering easy access for people. Travel through the Atlas Mountains, followed by a mild walk along well used paths along the side of the falls to the edge. Behold the breathtaking beauty and thunderous roars of the mighty falls and the spray it produces, teeming with a large volume of indigenous wildlife, including the Barbary apes.

Ouzoud Falls Facts

• At 110 meters (330 feet), are the tallest falls in North Africa. Width of 90m during peak seasons.
• Considered by a number of people as one of the most beautiful and romantic falls in the world.
• They offer a direct an easy access for tourism with mild hikes to the lip and refreshing swims in the natural pools below the falls.
• Renowned for its close encounters with resident troops of indigenous monkeys that comfortably call the waterfalls home.

LUMANGWE FALLS – ZAMBIA

Located along the Kalungwishi River in Zambia. During the peak season, it is far the country’s largest waterfall. Other waterfalls are bigger but they form the border with neighboring countries. People often confuse this fall with Victoria Falls due to its sheer volume, large curtain of water flow and saturating spray, even during periods of drought.   Surrounded on either side by lush, dense bush, this is a perfect trip for people interested in tourism. While tourist infrastructure is somewhat lacking it is well worth the visit.

Lumangwe Falls Facts

• 30 – 40 meter waterfall with a width of over 160 meters making it one of the largest.
• Often confused with the mighty Victoria Falls, due to its volume of the water flow.
• One of the least visited falls by people, ensuring a much more personal and private experience.

OWA FALLS – NIGERIA

Considered the tallest fall of water in the whole of West Africa falling down 5 distinct levels over its rocky sides flowing into an ice cool pool of water at the bottom. A number of people consider these falls one of the most naturally beautiful waterfalls in the region, and a major tourist attraction for the area. During the peak seasons, with a high water flow the spray is at its best. Due to the dense bushes on both sides and the height from which the water drops, it’s the volume of its roar which can be experienced first, usually from a quite distance away. These falls offer an incredible natural ambience for tourism since the dense vegetation along both sides of the waterfalls harbor a variety of indigenous wildlife. 

Owa Falls Facts

• They are Nigeria’s highest waterfalls with 120 meters, with the water flow over a fairly narrow width.
• It was Nicknamed “Wonder in the Wilderness” by the local people.
• It has got only one route in and out with limited tourism infrastructure.
• It requires some hiking along the side of the falls through the dense rainforest, so hiking shoes are a must.
• A major tourist attraction is swimming in the ice cold pools under the falling and rasping water.

WLI WATERFALLS – GHANA

It is proved to be the largest waterfall in the West Africa and certainly the largest in Ghana. It has two distinct levels, an upper fall and a lower fall. Referred to by the local people as “Agumatsa Falls” meaning “Let me follow”. A popular tourist site near the Togo border offering two different experiences whereby its easier to get to lower falls, and  more difficult hike up the side to the upper falls. Crystal clear pools flowing grace the bottom of each falls, inviting people to cool off. Peak season, when the water flow is at its highest volume it is always between April- October. Surrounded on all sides by dense rainforest, teeming with wildlife, including the unique presence of thousands of fruit bats nesting in the nearby cliffs.

Wli Falls Facts

• It is Ghana’s highest water drop of 80 meters over 2 distinct levels.
• It is narrow in the width with a continual fine spray creating lush rain forest up its side.
• Major tourist attraction in the area is standing tall amongst exquisite mountainous landscapes with a diversity of wildlife.
• It has two peculiar levels namely the lower and upper falls where the lower falls are the easy access for tourism while the Upper falls require hiking to the top or peak, all in all worth the effort for people looking for some adventure.

BLUE NILE – ETHIOPIA

It is located on the Blue Nile River in Ethiopia and known to the local people as “Tis Abay”, meaning “great smoke”. A seasonal falls with low water flow in periods of drought, changing dramatically in peak seasons to a torrential water flow of over 400 meters in width. Not only is the evolution of endemic species, only found in this area.

Blue Nile Falls Facts

• The falls have a 52 meter water drop, but with a whopping 400 meter width during peak seasons
• The falls are an easy access for tourism with a variety of nearby tourist facilities for people to choose.
• They have a unique ecosystem thriving on its sides, fed by its continual spray and home to species found nowhere else in the world.

LOFOI FALLS – DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

It is one of Central Africa’s largest waterfalls, with an unbroken water drop of 340 meters from its peak. A popular adventure tourist destination, allowing people to camp at the peak of the waterfall enjoying some spectacular views while taking in the sheer volume of nature around you. Water flow is seasonal, with high levels especially during the peak season, throwing up a dense spray creating a lifetime adventure.

Lofoi Falls Facts

• They are narrow in width however substantial in height with a 340m undisturbed water drop.
• The falls are harbored between 2 National Parks and a nature tourist dream teaming with life.
• Dense rainforest up its sides offering with established tourism hikes and swims in its crystal clear pools.
• Unique opportunity for people to camp at the peak.
• The falls have large volume of water flow especially during peak seasons, reduced water flow specifically in the drought periods.