The highest waterfalls are typically found high in the mountains, where they are essentially inaccessible to the majority of people. Africa has done well to take advantage of some of these waterfalls; some of them are now well-known tourist destinations, and great effort has been made to preserve the areas around them in order to preserve the natural environment and make them useful to both humans and animals.
In this article, we will talk about the top 10 highest waterfalls in Africa.
Top 10 Highest Waterfalls In Africa
1. Tugela Falls
Height: 3,110 ft (948 m)
Location: Kwazulu Natal, South Africa
Tugela Falls is located in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. It is located at a height of 3,110 feet in the Royal Natal National Park in KwaZulu-Natal Province. Tugela Falls, on the other hand, is a seasonal waterfall; it does not occur throughout the year.
Tugela Falls has five distinct free-leaping falls, though they are not very wide and do not release a large amount of water. Nonetheless, the falls are very visible at the right time of year, especially after rainfall. The land is quite flat, but it ends suddenly at the drop, into the farthest amphitheater in a series of five cascades.
It is a popular tourist attraction; there is a rope bridge, a trail, and a hut around the waterfall area, and visitors enjoy taking pictures there.
2. Ndedema Falls
Height: 2,000 ft (610 m)
Location: Kwazulu Natal, South Africa
Didima Falls is another name for Ndedema Falls. It is situated near Witch Peak on the Drakensberg Escarpment. Ndedema Falls is a roughly 2000 foot drop with 5 to 8 distinct waterfalls. This is mostly flat terrain that ends suddenly in a quick drop, similar to Tugela Falls.
There isn’t much information about this waterfall in the public domain. However, curious researchers can find it at the Drakensberg Escarpment in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa.
3. Jinbar Waterfall
Height: 1,640 ft (500 m)
Location: Ethiopia
Jinbar Waterfall is a spectacular natural phenomenon. It is located in Ethiopia’s Simien Mountains and has the highest true waterfall in Africa at 1,640 feet. This is the first tall waterfall on the continent to produce water throughout the year.
Although the amount of water pouring out of the waterfall varies from season to season, with a massive amount of water pouring out during the wet months, the consistent nature of the natural phenomenon supports a vibrant ecosystem. The surrounding area is green with lush plant life of various species.
Jinbar Waterfalls is located in a rugged environment; the Simien Mountains are among Africa’s highest peaks, with some of the ground reaching over 10,000 feet above sea level.
4. Mutarazi Falls
Height: 1,572 ft (479 m)
Location: Manicaland, Zimbabwe
Mutarazi Falls is a waterfall in Zimbabwe. It is located in the Mutarazi National Park adjacent to the southern border of the Nyanga National Park, which is in the Mutasa District in Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe.
Mutarazi Falls is the highest in Zimbabwe, although it is not the most popular. It supports a large ecosystem; and makes up an important part of the Mutarazi National Park, which has a wide range of plant and animal species.
Mutarazi Falls is a tourism cash cow; it attracts visitors from around the world.
5. Vivienne Falls
Height: 1,500 ft (457 m)
Location: Kenya
Vivienne Falls is a natural waterfall in Kenya. It is located in the east of the country, in an area that is largely mountainous in nature. Vivienne Falls has a height of about 1,500 ft, and it is an impressively rugged terrain. However, Vivienne Falls has not been promoted as much as it should; not many people even know of its existence.
Vivienne Falls is situated northeast of Lake Michaelson, and north of Gorges Valley.
6. Gura Falls
Height: 1,000 ft (305 m)
Location: Kenya
Gura Falls is located in Kenya. It is a year round waterfall that located in a very rugged and steep slope, which is well covered with thick vegetation. Gura Falls is often viewed from a distance; most people view it from the Karuru falls observation deck. It is located on the opposite side of the same gorge as Karuru falls.
It supports a vast ecosystem; the Abedare National Park is teeming with plant and animal life; and people come in from all over the world to see the waterfalls, and the natural surroundings.
7. Riandahy
Height: 984 ft (300 m)
Location: Fianarantsoa Province, Madagascar
The Riandahy Falls is highest waterfall in Madagascar. It is located in the region of Ihorombe in Madagascar. It is measured at a height of 984 ft which is equally impressive on the continental level. Riandahy is part of the Zomandao River in the Andringitra Massif near the Andringitra National Park.
The Riandahy Falls is also an important tourist destination. People visit to experience the beauty of the waterfalls, and also to see the animals that depend on it for water. Some of the animals in Madagascar can be found nowhere else in the world.
8. Karuru Falls
Height: 894 ft (272 m)
Location: Kenya
Karuru Falls measures 894 ft or 272 meters. It has been described by several sources as magnificent and opulent, while some sources wrongly call it the highest waterfall in Kenya. Karuru falls is completely surrounded by thick vegetation, which are all nestled in a very rugged terrain.
It is best viewed from a safe distance; such as that provided by the Karuru Falls observation deck. Karuru Falls is an important tourist attraction; the Abedare National Park supports a wide variety of plants and animals.
9. Rianbavy Falls
Height: 820 ft (250 m)
Location: Fianarantsoa Province, Madagascar
Rianbavy Falls is not to be confused with Riandahy Falls; this is a completely different waterfall. Rianbavy Falls is also located in the region of Ihorombe in Madagascar. It is in the southeast of the country, on the Zomandao River, near the Andringitra National Park.
Rianbavy Falls is located about 1KM away from Riandahy Falls, and forms part of a wider area of natural beauty, as well as an important conservation area.
10. Kambadaga Falls
Height: 818 ft (249m)
Location: Guinea
Kambadaga Falls is the highest waterfall in Guinea; it measures 818 ft, or 249 meters. This natural wonder is a year round waterfall, surrounded by thick vegetation in a very precarious terrain. It is a truly impressive waterfall; the volume of water pouring out of the waterfall is very staggering, especially during the rainy season.
This waterfall is located in Fouta-Djalon, is very important to the ecosystem; it supports a wide variety of plant and animal life. The Kambadaga Falls is also important to tourism in the country; it draws in visitors from all over the world, as they come to see the waterfalls that are sometimes are wide as 100 meters.
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