Devil’s Pool

The Victoria Falls in the Zambia is home to the most Dangerous pool in the world. The naturally formed Devil’s Pool, near the edge of the falls on Livingstone Island on the Zambian side. When the river flow is at a certain level, usually between September and December, a rock barrier forms an eddy with minimal current, allowing adventurous swimmers to splash around in relative safety a few feet from the point where the water cascades over the falls.

Be warned.. occasional deaths have been reported when people have slipped over the rock barrier.

Livingstone Island is a 5-8 minutes boat ride from the Royal Livingstone Hotel and is located in the middle of the Zambezi River right on the edge of the Victoria Falls just before the water thunders down a 103 metre drop. To protect the sensitive environment, only 16 guests may visit at any one time during five daily departures. Access is restricted to a maximum of 80 visitors per day so it is highly recommended to book a Livingstone Island Tour in advance.Access to this unique Island is seasonal and depends entirely on the water level in the Zambezi River.

In low water season, approximately end of August to December, guests have the opportunity to swim in Devil’s Pool which is a rock pool right on the lip of the falls accompanied by a guide.The Devils Pool itself is a deep natural pool that has been created by thousands of years of erosion, but what is unique about it is that there is a rock ledge on the lip of the Falls, where the water is only a few centimetres deep. This natural barrier is what allows you to jump into the deep pool but not get swept over the edge. Swim slightly upstream in a very slow current, being a strong swimmer is not a prerequisite. A safety rope is also in place as an added precaution. You then climb out on another rocky outcrop close to the edge of the Falls and the Devils Pool.

Dr David Livingstone

As the name suggests this is the island from which Dr David Livingstone first witnessed the Falls in November 1855. From here he lowered a length of calico with a bullet attached as a weight to measure the depth of the Falls.The Devils swimming Pool is available for an even shorter period as the water level has to be really low to allow for safe swimming. Although variable every year this is normally from late August to early January.

Five trips are offered

Throughout the day each trip lasting about 1.5 to 2 hrs. There a five minute boat ride speeds you through the current of the Zambezi river, twisting and turning as the captain navigates his way through the rocky channels, this in itself is an exhilarating experience towards the rising column of spray from the Victoria Falls.

 sandy and rock island and are then led to the very edge of the Falls on the east of the island overlooking Horseshoe and Rainbow Falls. The est of the island overlooking Main Falls. magnificent view, as the main torrent of water gushes over the basalt precipice. It's like no other view of the Falls and gives a completely different perspective to the views one gets from the path through the Rainforest on the other side of the canyon.

The Devils Pool itself is a deep natural pool that has been created by thousands of years of erosion. we can  lie this rock lip and look right into the 103m chasm of the Falls, with huge torrents of water flowing just meters away. It's a real adrenaline high and people who have experienced it Love it!.