Most everyone is fascinated by waterfalls. It might be the majesty, the power, the sound or just nature being itself. Most of us have a special affinity for water and nature. There is something overwhelming and soothing at the same time that makes being in nature a very healthy exercise in itself.
Waterfalls have many shapes and sizes but there is little doubt the large ones get your attention. In this post, we are defining “large” as the width of the opening as the water begins its downward ascent. Consider that #1, Chutes de Khone (Khone Falls), has about 410,000 cubic feet of water rush down every single second, double that of the mighty Niagara, #8 on our list. Enjoy!
1. KHONE FALLS
Location: Champasak Province, Laos
Width: 35,376’ (10,873 m)
When to visit: These Falls are not really a tourist spot per se. If you have hiking experience and want to visit, the dry season (November-April) is best simply for accessibility.
Access: If you are an experienced hiker then you can, in the dry season, walk to points with good viewing of the Falls. It is recommended that you make use of a local guide, however.
Overview: During the monsoon season the Chutes de Khone completely disappears and is replaced by a constant rush of churning water.
2. PARÁ FALLS
Location: Manapiare, Bolívar, Venezuela
Width: 18,400’ (5,608 m)
When to visit: The best time to visit is just after the wet season (November) when the water is still high but you can stay drier. As the climate is tropical the temperatures are relatively steady year around.
Access: As there are no roads in the area, the only practical viewing of the Falls is by boat (paddle tours are also available). You could, if feeling very adventurous, undertake the 2-hour trek through the rainforest the Para jump (viewing area).
Overview: This spectacular horseshoe falls is just one of many in Venezuela, a land filled with amazing natural beauty but, unfortunately, much political turmoil as of the time of this writing.
3. KONGOU FALLS
Location: Ivindo National Park, Gabon, Africa
Width: 10,500’ (3,200 m)
When to visit: The short dry season (Dec-Feb) has the best combination of light moisture and plentiful sunlight. Definitely avoid July-September unless you enjoy being wet..
Access: According to local statistics only 150-200 tourists a year visit the Kongou Falls but there are guided trips available from overnight to 7 days. While the area is spectacular, be prepared to rough it a bit.
Overview: Gabon is lush and beautiful and truly represents an unspoiled experience. This area was chosen for the beautiful overhead shots in the otherwise lacking 2016 version of The Legend of Tarzan (the rest of the film was shot entirely on the backlot in England).
4. IGUAZÚ FALLS
Location: Misiones, Paraná, Argentina
Width: 8,800’ (2,682 m)
When to visit: As with most equatorial locations the weather is pretty steady. To avoid some of the larger crowds a mid-season (from July to October and from February to April) visit would be recommended.
Access: There are a variety of options to choose from on either side of the Falls. On the Brazil side, you can get amazing panoramic views but on the Argentinian side, you will get better close up shots. If you’re on a budget choose one side only as it’s costly (well over $100) to go across the border.
Overview: These falls defy description. As seen in over 20 feature films, including most recently in Black Panther, there is no bad vantage point. While you definitely want to see the falls on the walkway seeing it from the air really provides an appreciation of its uniqueness and enormity.
On the Reel
The Mission (1986)
Starring Robert De Niro, Jeremy Irons and Ray McAnally. Directed by Roland Joffé.
The Mission is a powerful epic set deep in the South American jungles featuring the 18th century struggle of Jesuit priests attempting to bring Christianity to the local Guarani tribe. Featuring an amazing score by Ennio Morricone, powerhouse performances from both DeNiro and Irons and the mighty Iguazú Falls.
5. YUCUMÃ FALLS
Location: Turvo State Park, Derrubadas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Width: 6,775’ (2,065 m)
When to visit: Because of water flow issues, it’s best to visit between November-April.
Access: Access is through the Turvo State Park, which is open Thursday-Monday from 8am-4pm. You can walk or drive the Yucumã trail to the Falls. There are also numerous water adventures available that can bring you right to the Fall’s edge.
Overview: Unlike many of the falls on this list Yucumá is quite accessible and its formation is utterly unique. It’s worth spending a full day in the Park to enjoy the many splendors including an infinite variety of wildlife like tapirs, jaguars, deer and peccaries.
6. VERMILION CHUTES
Location: Alberta, Canada
Width: 6,000’ (1,829 m)
When to visit: Since the best way to see the Falls is by boat you’ll want to visit Alberta between July and September. Unfortunately, this is also a typically wet time of year but if you’re into kayaking or paddling it won’t put you off too much.
Access: If you’re adventurous you could embark on a river run from Fort Vermilion to Peace Point at the Wood Buffalo National Park. It’s a 6-8 day undertaking . . . just saying.
Overview: For some reason, the Vermilion Falls has not become a tourist hot spot and, like so much of Canada, has thus remained pristine. The Falls only drop 15-20 feet so it has become a favorite destination for kayakers.
7. VICTORIA FALLS
Location: Zimbabwe and Zambia, Africa
Width: 5,800’ (1,768 m)
When to visit: If you want to have a dry vacation, but still have massive water flow, then visit around April-June. If you want to “roll the dice” a bit you could opt for October-early November when, depending on the previous rainy season, it is sometimes possible to actually walk through some parts of the waterfall.
Access: To fully experience Victoria, much as with Iguazú, you really need to visit both sides. The main portion of the Falls is in Zimbabwe but the Zambian side provides some better up close moments. If your options are limited at the very least view the Falls in the Victoria Falls National Park (Zimbabwe) and in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (Zambia).
Overview: Victoria Falls has the distinction of being the only waterfall in the world with both a length of more than a kilometer (3,281’) and a height of more than 100 m (330’). Sound from the Falls can be heard from 25 miles away while the resulting mist can be seen from over 30 miles. One last thing, if you’re visiting sometime between mid-August and mid-January have the experience of a lifetime and visit the Devil’s Pool, lurched atop the Livingstone Island on the very edge of Victoria Falls.
8. NIAGARA FALLS
Location: Canadian and United States border
Width: 3,950’ (1,204 m)
When to visit: When to visit depends on your preference. Your best combination of warmer weather and less traffic is between June-August. A Winter visit does allow for lower rates, less traffic and a chance to see the Falls frozen (unbelievable sight in person).
Access: It is our recommendation to visit the Canadian side. The views are more spectacular and the tourism board has done a great job of providing a wonderful experience. The multi-sectioned platform provides amazing vantage points but be sure to also go on the Maid of the Mist boat ride at the base.
Overview: Niagara Falls is probably the most recognizable falls in the world. Its unique horseshoe shape on the Canadian side, coupled with the less well-known American Falls, make the entire Falls quite formidable and memorable.
On the Reel
Niagara (1953)
Starring Marilyn Monroe, Joseph Cotten and Jean Peters. Directed by Henry Hathaway.
This Marilyn Monroe classic thriller tells the tale of love, betrayal, and murder set against the backdrop of the might Niagara. The Falls play a major role not just visually but also in the plot. Shot in beautiful Technicolor it’s tough to pick between the more stunning the Falls . . . or Monroe.
9. INGA FALLS
Location: Inga, Democratic Republic of Congo
Width: 3,000’ (914 m)
When to visit: Expect hot and humid no matter when you visit. The coolest times are June-August during the long dry season.
Access: The violence of the rapids makes viewing better done by land. The Falls themselves are 205 miles long and, in this section of the Congo, there begins a 315-foot drop over a 10-mile stretch.
Overview: Technically, the Inga Falls are the tail end of the Livingston Falls (see #10 below) but are considered separate. It is also one of the more powerful waterways in the world with roughly 1.5 million cubic feet of water flow every second.
10. LIVINGSTONE FALLS
Location: Brazzaville, Kinshasha, Democratic Republic of Congo
Width: 2,300’ (701 m)
When to visit: Expect hot and humid no matter when you visit. The only seasons in the Congo are wet and dry. March through June are the hottest months so you may want to avoid them.
Access: The dramatic sections of the Falls are best viewable by land. At some points the rapids are so violent it appears the water is constantly exploding. They generate 1.2 million feet of water every second.
Overview: This series of 32 rapids and cataracts on the Congo River falls about 850 feet. Impressive, however, this occurs over an 87-mile stretch. There are sections of extreme violence while other sections are serene and calm.
It’s interesting to note that not so long ago this list would have been quite different. Many notable waterfalls, like Celio Falls on the Oregon and Washington state borders, ceased to exist, at least visibly, when dams were built as power plants to take advantage of the natural water flow. This has been most common in South America where both Salto do Urubupunga on the Rio Paran and Saltos dos Patos e Maribondo on the Rio Grande fell victim to this practice.
Have you been to any of these Falls? We’d love to hear about your experiences.
Very cool. Didn’t realize there were so many huge waterfalls.