Devils Pool in Victoria Falls is a must do activity. Based on the very edge of the World’s Largest Waterfall and one of the 7 Natural Wonders!
With hundreds of millions of gallons falling over the edge of the 110m waterfall every minute, there is no other place in the world as astonishing and imposing as Victoria Falls. One of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World and one of the largest waterfalls on our planet.
Victoria Falls attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, from high end travel groups and celebrities to backpackers and solo travelers, all to feast their eyes on the marvel that is Victoria Falls.
Guests have a variety of options with which to view the waterfall. The most popular being from the various look out points in both Zimbabwe and Zambia. Others choose to view it from the air by helicopter or microlight. But to get a true appreciation of the immense power and volume of the Victoria Falls, the Devils Pool activity is the one for you.
This natural pool at the cliff’s edge offers the most thrilling experience at Victoria Falls. Caused by thousands of years of erosion where the thundering Zambezi River eats its way through the tough basalt rock. Safely positioned in this natural pool where the water current is far less you are able to peer over the edge of the Falls into the mighty canyon below.
What to expect during your Devils Pool Adventure!
Picture this- Waist deep in the mighty Zambezi River, water gushing around you before plummeting out of view and over the falls just in front of you. The thundering noise so loud you can’t even hear yourself think! All your energy is focused on holding fast and not letting the turbulent water take you over the edge.
Then your guide, whom you have trusted implicitly so far, takes your hand and leads you closer to where the water falls away! You feel a natural stone wall blocking you from being swept over and breathe a sigh of relief. Realizing you are in a natural pool, caused by centuries of rushing water eroding a perfect natural Jacuzzi.
Your relaxation is short lived as you are encouraged to lay on top of the barrier with your head peering over the edge of the Victoria Falls. A crazy, yet absolutely incredible experience! Every fiber of your being is saying don’t do it, but curiosity gets the better of you.
I have yet to come across a description of that feeling which does the experience justice. Hanging over the edge of the World’s largest waterfall, with the Zambezi River gushing around you and a 110 meter drop below you! Fear, adrenaline, amazement, wonder and awe are just a handful of the emotions you feel all at the same time.
There are many ways to view the Victoria Falls, but the Devils Pool is one of the more breathtaking and surreal ones. Here’s all you need to know before taking the Plunge- Literally!
The Different Devils Pool Tours!
The Devils Pool Activity is run by just one operator in Zambia, a company known as Tongabezi Safaris. However, there are numerous hotels, lodges, tour operators and activity agents that can book this activity for you- us being one of them!
Based in Zambia, anyone staying on the Zimbabwean side of the Victoria Falls will need to cross the border in order to do the Devils Pool Activity. This is not difficult at all and offers a great opportunity to experience the amazing feat of engineering that is the bridge connecting the two countries.
With so many different organizations selling the Devils Pool Activity, it’s always best to shop around as there could be quite a variation in prices. As always we recommend booking your activities through a reputable on the ground operator, such as us.
Devils Pool tour options
There are a few different options in which you can have your Devils Pool Adventure. To make it easier for you. Each option departs from the same location being the Tongabezi launch site approximately 1.5km upstream of the Victoria Falls. As such, the Devils Pool Activity includes a speedboat ride from the launch site to Livingstone Island where the Devils Pool is located.
Livingstone Island is one of the most well know islands in the Zambezi, and is said to be where the famous British explorer David Livingstone first gazed upon the mighty Victoria Falls.
Obviously, all options also include a plunge into the Devils Pool where you have the breathtaking opportunity to view the Victoria Falls from the most unique angle available!
Livingstone Breezer (morning tour)
This is a morning only tour which lasts approximately 90 minutes. It includes welcome drinks as well as two different breakfast options including teas and coffees, served on the iconic Livingstone Island.
Livingstone Island Lunch
This is a 2.5 hour activity departing the Tongabezi Launch site at 1230. It includes a delicious lunch set up on the Livingstone Island, as well as dip into the incredible Devils Pool.
Afternoon High Tea
Departing from the Tongabezi launch site at 1530 and lasting about 2 hours. Besides the swim in Devils pool, this activity offers an amazing High Tea experience on the exotic Livingstone Island.
Devil’s Pool, is it worth it?
In short, YES Absolutely! The Devils Pool Activity s one of the most unique ways to view the Victoria Falls, and one of the most spectacular natural sites on earth.
Whilst swimming right at the edge of the 110m waterfall sounds dangerous, and many travel writers and bloggers depict it as such. This is an incredibly safe activity, these articles and videos are created to depict a death defying adventure to get more views.
This is one of the most extraordinary natural spots on earth, and being able to step so close to the edge of a waterfall without any security is simply breathtaking. Even though lots of blog posts and YouTubers describe a visit to the Devil’s Pool as dangerous, these videos and articles are mainly created to generate views and not to property inform the reader.
The price of the activity is reasonable in our opinion as this truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and nothing like it exists in the World. However the costs can add up, especially if you are staying on the Zimbabwean side of the Victoria Falls. Given the Devils Pool activity only happens from the Zambian side of the River, there are the added expenses of transfers to and from, as well as potential Visa Fees.
Our one piece of advice for those staying on the Zimbabwean side and keen to do the Devils Pool. Make the most of your day in Zambia, there are a bunch of sights to see, and various different restaurants to choose from. Take advantage of the fact that you have added another country to our passport.
Best times to do the Devils Pool Activity?
The Devils Pool activity is NOT available all year round, and if it is on your bucket list of adventures to have, then this section is for you.
Because this activity sees you right at the edge of the Victoria Falls, the safety of it depends entirely on the level of the river water. It is just simply too unsafe for have people that close to this colossal waterfall when it is high water, and at its mightiest. Even the giant elephants tend to steer clear of crossing the Zambezi River when it is in full flood.
The Zambezi River is a very unique river in that its levels area affected by not only the local weather, but also the weather conditions at its source, some several thousand kilometers away. Southern Africa’s rainy season runs from December through to April, with the peak being January to March. The localize rains begin to abate in April.
However, as is the uniqueness of the Zambezi River, before the water levels can subside from the local rainfall, the floods arrive from the source of the river. This usually comes in May and June. As such High Water is considered to run from January through to the end of June.
Obviously this is very dependent on the sort of rainy season that has been experienced. In seasons of drought, the high water levels do not last long. Seasons of high rainfall, could see the high water levels prolong more than expected.
As a general rule, the Devils Pool Activity is closed from January through June. If this is on your must do list then make sure you plan your trip from July through to December.
For the very best Devils Pool Activity Experience, the months of July and December are the best. July is the end of the High Water, so the river is still pretty full, but drops every month, with October/ November being the lowest. December the local rains have started again which generally increase the water level, although not high enough to be considered dangerous.
During these two months you can truly feel the rush of being at the edge of one of the World’s Largest Waterfalls.