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10 Biggest Waterfalls
The sublime power of white water crashing over cliffs to the depths below has a mesmerising effect on anyone who has witnessed the spectacle of some of the worlds biggest waterfalls.
Whether they are thousands of metres tall have the largest volume of water flowing over their edge at any one time or have the widest curtain of free falling water all 10 waterfalls selected as the biggest are extraordinary to say the least.
The Angel Falls
The Angel Falls in Venezuela is the worlds highest waterfall at 979m. It is so high that the water actually atomises due to the force of the strong winds in the area and simply disappears in a fine mist before it even reaches the ground. This mist can still be felt on the skin well over a mile away!
Known as Parakupavena to the locals meaning the fall from the highest point its anglicised name actually has nothing to do with the celestial messengers of heaven. American aviator Jimmie Angel who brought the falls to the worlds attention in 1933 when his plane crashed close to the falls whilst searching for a lucrative ore bed is the inspiration for the moniker.
Inga Falls
The Inga Falls in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is arguably the largest waterfall in the world. Although only 96m high and with no measurement of its width currently available the rapids boast the highest volume of water at an average of 1500000 cubic feet / second!
Victoria Falls
The Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River is easily one of the most impressive cascades in the world and is deemed one of the largest with a width of 1.7km and a height of 108m.
It forms the largest curtain of water on the planet and is the natural insurmountable border between Zimbabwe and Zambia in Southern Africa. It is a mustsee natural wonder and should be included on all safari holiday tour itineraries.
Literally thousands of tourists flock to the area each year to enjoy dedicated Victoria Falls tours and African safari specialists are able to organise all sorts of exciting adrenalin activities that include the Zambezi River and the Falls.
Known by the locals as MosioaTunya the smoke that thunders the falls can be viewed from as close as 60m as the entire volume of water drops into a single chasm that is between 60 and 120m wide. Added attractions are the abutting national parks that offer a genuine African safari adventure.
Niagara Falls
The Niagara Falls in North America is effectively made up of three different falls one in Canada and two in the USA. Although comparatively diminutive in height the sheer volume of water flowing over the falls elevates it to the most powerful on the continent.
Tugela Falls
Located in the majestic Drakensberg Mountains in KwaZulu Natal South Africa the Tugela Falls are the second highest in the world at 947m. Tugel means sudden in Zulu.
Chutes de Khone
This enormous segmented cascade on the Mekong River in Laos is easily the widest in the world extending to almost 15 kilometres in the annual monsoon.
Cataratas Ias Tres Hermanas
Located on the Rio Cutivireni in Peru these falls have largely gone unnoticed until recently. Consisting of 5 drops the height has been estimated to be in the region of 914m making it one of the highest falls in the world.
Olo upena Falls
Situated in Hawaii the Olo upena Falls are rated as one of the top 20 in Oceania. At a height of 900m it certainly rivals some of its lofty peers.
Vinnufossen
The Vinnufossen in Norway may be more of a trickle than a waterfall as far as volume goes but at 860m it is the highest waterfall in Europe and therefore deserves its place in the sun.
Iguazu Falls
Big Water in the Guarani language the Iguazu Falls in Brazil is not so much about height width or volume but rather the fact that the entire waterfall system is made up of no fewer than 270 individual cascades that extend for well over two and a half kilometres. Well worth a visit the area offers sublime views and extensive hiking trails. Its even possible to be surrounded by 260 of sheer water at the Garganta del Diablo.
About the writer: Let leading South African tour operator Kuoni Private Safaris plunge you into the heart of the culturally and naturally rich continent of Africa on a professionally organized holiday be it in South Africa Namibia Botswana Zambia Zimbabwe Swaziland Lesotho Mozambique Malawi or Madagascar.
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