The Most Beautiful Waterfalls Found Across Africa

There are so many reasons to enjoy the wonders that Africa has to offer. After all, the continent is home to sights that we will never see across the rest of the globe, including animals, wildlife, and nature that goes to show just how beautiful the world really is. Now, it appears there’s something else to add to the list.

While the continent is often thought of as a dry and arid place, it’s actually home to the world’s longest river and a host of waterfalls that show just how powerful water can be. In fact, the most beautiful waterfalls found across Africa might just be some of the most beautiful in the entire world.

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Zambia, is the largest falling sheet of water

If you want one of the most impressive waterfalls in the world, you might want to head to Victoria Falls. Found across Zimbabwe and Zambia is the largest sheet of falling water in the world, standing an impressive 354 feet tall and a staggering 5,604 feet wide. As if that wasn’t enough, the spray from the waterfall is so remarkable that it can be seen from as far as 30 miles away, helping Victoria Falls earn its local name of Mosi-oa-Tunya, which translates to The Smoke That Thunders. Every rainy season, 132 million gallons of water flow over the drop every minute, leading to one of the most impressive natural sights in the world.

Kalandula Falls, Angola, allowed visitors to take a dip at the bottom

Being one of the largest waterfalls by volume across Africa is no easy feat, but it’s something Kalandula Falls, Angola, pulls off with ease. Spreading across 1,300 feet and standing 344 feet high is pretty impressive, with the horseshoe shape making Kalandula Falls a spectacular sight to enjoy. The water from the spray also helps to replenish the thick rainforest on the river banks, but that’s not all. If you want a waterfall you can enjoy with a difference, a trip to Kalandula Falls is a must, as visitors can accrual swim in the pool at the bottom for an experience like no other.

Maletsunyane Falls, Lesotho, comes with a chilling legend

It can be tough to imagine a more beautiful waterfall than Maletsunyane Falls. Standing at 630 feet high and plunging unbroken into the Maletsunyane River is one thing, with the spray helping to explain why the name translates to The Place of Smoke. The waterfall is also one of the highest single-drop falls found on the continent, with plenty of locals believing there’s more to it all. Many tell tales of how the echoes caused by the falling water are actually the wailing souls of all who have lost their lives to the waterfall throughout the years.

Ouzoud Falls, Morocco, offers endangered wildlife a place to thrive

Morocco might not be the first place people think of being filled with natural water features, but a look at Ouzoud Falls goes to show just how beautiful they can be. The falls are actually made up of several tumbling waterfalls that make their way to the El-Abid River, while several of the small mills that once served the area still stand at the top. Amazingly, taking it in and swimming in the pool at the bottom is just the beginning for Ouzoud Falls. The water is actually enough to help feed the local olive groves, which, in turn, help the wild Barbary macaques, a species of endangered monkey living in the area.

Lumangwe Falls, Zambia, is often confused with Victoria Falls

It might often be confused with Victoria Falls, but Lumangwe Falls in Zambia is one of the most beautiful waterfalls found across Africa all on its own. It’s a block-type waterfall and is the largest in the country, standing 115 feet high and an impressive 328 feet wide. The spray is also remarkable, flying as high as 328 feet in the air. This water is enough to create small rainforests on the banks filled with wildlife, but that’s not all. A local legend about the Great Snake Spirit - Lumangwe - gave the waterfall its name, with locals believing the water stretches between this waterfall and Kabwelume Falls.

Tugela Falls, South Africa, is made from five seasonal cascades

Being made of free-leaping waterfalls already means that Tugela Falls in South Africa is one of the most beautiful waterfalls. Add in five of them and a total drop of 3,110 feet, and the waterfall quickly becomes the second-highest in the world. The Royal Natal National Park sees the entire thing come to an end at the bottom, with the plunging froth perfectly encapsulating The Amphitheatre escarpment for one of the most breathtaking sights for nature lovers everywhere.

Africa is already one of the most incredible continents on the planet, with the most beautiful waterfalls found across Africa going to show just how many wonders are hidden across the land. From tumbling cascades to some of the widest waterfalls and everything in between, each offers up something unique that you won’t see anywhere else in the world.