Soak In The Devils Pool

The adventure

Victoria Falls, known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, the smoke that thunders, stretches about 1.7 kilometres across the Zambezi and plunges more than 100 metres into a narrow basalt gorge. In the drier months, a boat drops you on Livingstone Island, right on the edge of the falls, close to where David Livingstone first looked over in 1855.

From there, a guide leads you wading and swimming across the current to a natural pool tucked behind a submerged rock ledge. You slide in, edge forward and lie on your stomach with your arms hanging over a sheer drop, a guide holding your legs, while the river pours over the edge a few metres away and rainbows hang in the spray below. The water is warm, the roar fills your chest, and the photos look impossible. Back on the island, there's usually breakfast or lunch to steady your nerves.

Why it’s epic

Sitting on the lip of Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest sheets of falling water on Earth.
Looking straight down a drop of more than 100 metres, with just a rock lip between you and the edge.
Visiting Livingstone Island, where David Livingstone first saw the falls in 1855.
Rainbows forming in the spray below on sunny mornings.

What it is

The Devil's Pool is a natural rock pool right on the edge of Victoria Falls.

How to do it

Book a guided tour from Livingstone, which takes you by boat to Livingstone Island and then a short swim to the pool.

Top tip

It's only open when the water level is low enough to be safe.

Need to know

The pool only opens when the Zambezi is low, roughly mid-August to mid-January, and exact dates change each year.
Access is only on guided trips from the Zambian side with limited numbers, so book ahead in peak season.
You'll need to be a confident swimmer to cross a short stretch of current.
Fly to Livingstone, or to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and cross the bridge; the KAZA UniVisa, when available, covers both countries.

Plan this trip

Rough cost: Under £750 per person, including flights from the UK
Time needed: Half a day
Best time to go: Mid-August to mid-January, when the river is low
Fly into: LVI airport

The island tour itself is good value; getting to Zambia and staying near the falls are the bigger costs.

Do it yourself

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My experience

Ticked off, but the full story is still to be written up.