09/03/2022
DEVIL'S POOL (VICTORIA FALLS) ZAMBIA
Victoria Falls is a stunning spectacle however you view it. Whether it’s from the bottom of the gorge, from spray-doused Knife Edge Bridge, or from the comfort of a plane or chopper. But when it comes to a breathtaking immersive experience, nothing is quite so full-on as a dip in Devil’s Pool. This oddly becalmed 3m/10ft-deep natural pool stands right on the edge if the abyss, separated from the raging white water by the narrowest of rock lips.
Where is Devil’s Pool located?
Devil's Pool is on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls. It stands almost midway across the mile-wide waterfall, close to Livingstone Island. It is accessible only on guided boat tours operated by Tongabezi Safaris. These leave from a launch on the Zambian bank of the Zambezi upstream of the falls.
Do you need to be fit to reach Devil’s Pool?
No. But you should ideally be able to swim. Medium to strong swimmers head to the Devil’s Pool from Livingstone Island, swimming upstream for a short distance then back downstream into the pool itself. Weak swimmers can wade from the island to the pool, provided they don’t mind being submerged waist-deep. In both instances, experienced guides are there to instruct and, if necessary, assist. There’s nothing preventing non-swimmers from wading across either, but they are at slightly greater risk.
What are the best months to visit Devil’s Pool?
The only way to access Devil’s Pool is seasonal boat tours to Livingstone Island. These operate for seven months of the year, i.e. June to December. They include an optional dip in the pool, but only when the Zambezi is low enough to swim there safely. This is usually from mid-August to end December, with access being most reliable in October and November, when the flow is weakest. Be aware, however, that seasonal levels vary from one year to the next, depending on how much and when it rained further upstream. The pool is closed to tourists when the flow is dangerously high, usually from 1 January to sometime in August.
Is Devil’s Pool safe to visit?
Essentially, yes. Minor accidents have occurred on the slippery rocks, but so far as we’re aware there have been no fatalities on any organised tour. Assuming you don’t actively court disaster, there is no significant risk of being swept over Victoria Falls. The short swim or wade across is also safe, provided you obey the guide’s instructions. A less obvious cause for concern is the hippos and crocs that lurk in the Zambezi upriver of the waterfall. On the whole, however, these creatures are too sensible to come close to the waterfall, and the guides will scan the water carefully before allowing guests in.
