The second highest waterfall in the world (or perhaps the tallest!), measured in terms of overall height, is the Tugela Falls in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. Tugela Falls in the Drakensburg, South Africa.

The title of the world's second-highest waterfall is generally held by Tugela Falls in South Africa, located in the Royal Natal National Park. It has a total drop of approximately 3,110 feet (948 meters) through a series of five distinct leaps. There is actually a long-standing scientific debate in 2026 about whether Tugela Falls might actually be taller than the #1-ranked Angel Falls in Venezuela, due to different measurement techniques of the cumulative drop. Regardless of the debate, Tugela is a spectacular sight, especially after heavy rain when all five tiers are flowing. For travelers, reaching the top of the falls involves a scenic but challenging hike in the Drakensberg Mountains. Other lists sometimes mention Browne Falls in New Zealand or Tres Hermanas Falls in Peru, but Tugela Falls remains the most widely accepted runner-up in geography textbooks worldwide.