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Is Devils Pool safe to swim in?

Overall, Devil's Pool offers visitors the opportunity to swim in close proximity to the edge of Victoria Falls. However, it is considered a relatively safe experience due to the natural rock formations that create a barrier between swimmers and the falling water.



Swimming in Devil's Pool at the lip of Victoria Falls is considered safe only when done through a licensed tour operator during the "Low Water" season, which typically runs from mid-August to mid-January. During this window, the water levels of the Zambezi River drop significantly, revealing a natural rock barrier at the edge that creates a calm eddy where you can safely sit right at the precipice. In 2026, the guides from Tongabezi Lodge (the only official operators) are highly trained to monitor the currents and will cancel tours immediately if the water rises even slightly above the safety threshold. However, it is extremely dangerous and often fatal to attempt swimming there during the "High Water" season (February to July) or without a professional guide. The current during high water is powerful enough to sweep a human over the 108-meter drop in seconds. For those who follow the rules, the safety record is excellent, with no reported fatalities among guided tour participants in over 20 years. The primary "risk" is the slippery walk across the rocks to reach the pool and the small "nibbling" fish that might tickle your feet, rather than the waterfall itself, provided you stay behind the guide's designated safety line.

People Also Ask

To the best of our knowledge, nobody has ever died going over Victoria Falls at Devil's Pool. In 2009, a South African tour guide fell to his death whilst rescuing a client who slipped in a channel above Victoria Falls.

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No, you couldn't. That water is literally falling; there's no float to it (that is, you can't displace it and obtain any buoyancy thereby). It's accelerating downwards at a rate of 9.8M/sec/sec, and it's heavy stuff.

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Victoria Falls is generally a safe place to visit and is separate from Zimbabwe in a political sense, due to the country relying on it for its tourism. Social and political unrest is therefore kept at bay, roads are maintained, cash is usually accessible (check with us first), and the town is kept clean.

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Here are some fascinating facts which may surprise you, or simply encourage you to see the area for yourself.
  • IT IS THE LARGEST WATERFALL IN THE WORLD. ...
  • VICTORIA FALLS IS PART OF THE ZAMBEZI RIVER. ...
  • IT IS FOUND IN TWO NATIONAL PARKS. ...
  • ITS ENGLISH NAME WAS CHOSEN BY DAVID LIVINGSTONE. ...
  • YOU CAN SEE THE FALLS FROM TWO COUNTRIES.


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It is possible to swim in the rock pools right underneath the waterfalls at certain times of the year ('low water'). This is an unforgettable adventure right in the heart of one of the most beautiful places on earth! WHAT'S INCLUDED? All equipment (helmet, paddle, rafts etc.)

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