Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Devil’s Pool, Victoria Falls.

Kilimanjaro and Victoria Falls are the two most amazing natural landmarks in Africa. It is the biggest sheet of falling water in the world. It is the result of the mile-wide Zambezi colliding with a 105-meter (345-foot) deep cliff on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border. Its local name, Mosi-oa-Tunya (Smoke That Thunders), alludes to the 500-meter/1,640-foot-high rainbow-tinted spray it produces when it flows at much to 500,000 cubic meters/110 million gallons per minute.

No matter how you look at it, Victoria Falls is a breathtaking sight. From the comfort of an aircraft or helicopter, from the bottom of the gorge, or from Knife Edge Bridge, which is covered in spray. But nothing is quite as intense as a dive in Devil’s Pool when it comes to an incredibly immersive experience. The tiniest of rock lips separates this strangely placid natural pool, which is 3 meters (10 feet) deep, from the roaring white water at the abyss’s edge.

Where Can I Find Devil’s Pool?

The Zambian side of Victoria Falls is home to Devil’s Pool. It is located near Livingstone Island, nearly halfway across the mile-wide waterfall. Only Green Safaris’ guided boat cruises offer access to it. A few way upstream of Livingstone Town and the falls, these depart from a launch on the Zambian bank of the Zambezi.

 

Does Devil’s Pool Require Physical Fitness?

No. Ideally, though, you should be able to swim. Livingstone Island is the starting point for medium-to-strong swimmers who travel upstream for a short distance before returning downstream into the Devil’s Pool. If weak swimmers don’t mind getting waist-deep in the water, they can wade from the island to the pool. In all cases, knowledgeable guides are available to teach and help if needed. Non-swimmers can also wade across without any problems, but their risk is marginally higher.

 

Which Months Are Ideal for Visiting Devil’s Pool?

Devil’s Pool can only be reached by seasonal boat trips to Livingstone Island. These are open from June to December, which is the full seven months of the year. Only when the Zambezi is low enough to swim safely do they offer the optional pool plunge. Access is most dependable in October and November, when the flow is at its weakest, and typically lasts from mid-August to the end of December. However, keep in mind that seasonal levels differ from year to year based on the amount and timing of rainfall higher upstream. When the flow is dangerously high—typically from January 1 to some point in August—the pool is closed to visitors.

 

Is it safe to visit Devil’s Pool?

In essence, yes. As far as we know, no one has died on any organized tour, despite a few minor mishaps on the slick rocks. Being swept over Victoria Falls is not a serious risk, provided you don’t intentionally invite calamity.

If you follow the guide’s advice, the quick swim or wade over is likewise safe. The crocs and hippos that lurk in the Zambezi upriver of the waterfall are a less evident reason for fear. But generally speaking, these animals are too smart to approach the waterfall, and the guides will carefully inspect the water before letting visitors in.

Has Anyone Perished While Crossing Devil’s Pool’s Victoria Falls?

As far as we are aware, no one has ever perished while crossing Victoria Falls at Devil’s Pool. While attempting to save a client who had slipped in a canal above Victoria Falls in 2009, a South African tour guide plunged to his death. However, according to early reports, this occurred along the Zambian riverside rather than at Devil’s Pool.

Since Devil’s Pool was only accessible by Green Safaris’ guided trips, no such event has happened. In fact, to the best of our knowledge, no one has ever perished at Devil’s Pool for whatever reason—unlike its counterpart in Queensland, Australia, which has claimed multiple lives.

 

Is There Anything Else at Devil’s Pool?

A wild section of the Zambezi that is surrounded by rich tropical trees is traversed on the boat voyage to Livingstone Island. Although crocodiles and hippos are the most noticeable animals in the area, you may also spot buffaloes or elephants stopping by for a drink. The river is home to a diverse range of birds, including waterfowl, herons, egrets, and the beautiful African fish eagle.

As the name implies, Livingstone Island is the location where David Livingstone, a Scottish adventurer, became the first European to arrive at Victoria Falls. Livingstone wrote in his diary that “Scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight,” and a plaque commemorates the precise location where he stood in 1855.

 

What Time of Day Is Best for Visiting Devil’s Pool?

Only boat visits to Livingstone Island provided by Green Safaris (previously Tongabezi Safaris) are permitted to visit Devil’s Pool. During the season (June to December), these depart five times a day. The “Livingstone Breezer” trips, which last one and a half hours, depart at 7:30, 9:00, and 10:30 a.m.

Additionally, there is a two-hour High Tea trip at 3:30 PM and a two-and-a-half-hour Lunch excursion that leaves at 12:30 PM. The 7:30 AM and 3:30 PM departure times coincide with the best times to take pictures of the riverine landscape. In the heat of the day, swimming could be more enjoyable. Tours leave at 9 AM, 10:30 AM, and 12:30 PM.

 

What is the price of Victoria Falls’ Devil’s Pool?

Each individual must pay US$120 for the 1½-hour “Livingstone Breezer” tour. High tea tours are US$165 per person, while lunch tours are US$190 per person.

 

From the Zimbabwean side of Victoria Falls, is it possible to visit Devil’s Pool?

No issue! You can reserve a day trip to Livingstone Island and Devil’s Pool through any travel agency or lodging establishment on the Zimbabwean side of the Victoria Falls. Making transportation arrangements to the Zambian launch location is also advised. Visas are required for the majority of travelers to Zambia and can be acquired at the border.

Even better, purchase a KAZA (Kavango Zambezi) Univisa when you arrive in Zambia or Zimbabwe. This will allow you to travel to Botswana for day trips across the Kazungula Border and to explore both countries for up to 30 days. Remember to bring your passport, and arrive early enough to finish the necessary border procedures.

 

What Should You Wear and Bring to Devil’s Pool?

Drinks, food, guides, and a towel are all included in tours to Livingstone Island and Devil’s Pool. Visitors should bring their own swimwear and clothing (shorts, a T-shirt, and flip-flops are acceptable). Additional necessities include a sunhat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, particularly for later departures. To get a close-up look at the abundant riverine birds (and the occasional crocodile or hippo), birdwatchers may want to bring binoculars.

 

Does the Devil’s Pool Have an Age Restrictions?

Only adults of all ages and children eight years of age and up are permitted to do the Livingstone Island trip. To swim in Devil’s Pool, children must be at least 12 years old.