The highest waterfalls in Africa are not always the most popular; the popularity usually comes as a result of grandeur which is associated with the volume of water that pours out from them. Besides, the highest waterfalls are usually located high up in the mountains, and are virtually inaccessible to most people.

Nevertheless, Africa has done well to harness some of these waterfalls; some of them have become important tourist attractions, and much effort has been put towards conserving the areas around them so as to sustain the natural environment, and to make them beneficial to both man and animals.

Top 10 Highest Waterfalls In Africa 2023

 Rank No.  Waterfall Name  Height  Location
 1.  Tugela Falls  3,110 ft.  South Africa
 2.  Ndedema Falls  2,000 ft.  South Africa
 3.  Jinbar Waterfall  1,640 ft.  Ethiopia
 4.  Mutarazi Falls  1,572 ft.  Zimbabwe
 5.  Vivienne Falls  1,500 ft.  Kenya
 6.  Gura Falls  1,000 ft.  Kenya
 7.  Riandahy  984 ft.  Madagascar
 8.  Karuru Falls  894 ft.  Kenya
 9.  Rianbavy  820 ft.  Madagascar
 10.  Kambadaga, Chutes De  818 ft.  Guinea

Top 10 Tallest Waterfalls In Africa 2023

1. Tugela Falls   

Height: 3,110 ft (948 m)

Location: Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

Tugela Falls is located in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. It is at a height of 3,110 ft, in a place called Dragon’s Mountains, and is in Royal Natal National Park in KwaZulu-Natal Province. However, Tugela Falls is a seasonal waterfall; it does not occur throughout the year.

Tugela Falls has five distinct free-leaping falls, although they are not very wide, and the mass of water released is not very large. Nevertheless, at the right time of the year the falls are very visible, especially after rainfall. The land is quite flat, but it ends suddenly at the drop, into the farthest amphitheater in a series of five cascades.

It is quite a popular tourist site; there is a rope bridge, a trail, and a hut around the area of the waterfall, and visitors enjoy taking pictures in the area.

2. Ndedema Falls            

Height: 2,000 ft (610 m)

Location: Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

Ndedema Falls is also called Didima Falls. It is located at Drakensberg Escarpment near Witch Peak. Ndedema Falls is a roughly 2000 foot tall drop, and has between 5 and 8 distinct waterfalls. Just like the Tugela Falls, this is a mostly flat terrain that ends suddenly in a quick drop.

There is little information about this waterfall available in public domain. However eager investigators can find it at Drakensberg Escarpment, in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa.

3. Jinbar Waterfall

Height: 1,640 ft (500 m)

Location: Ethiopia

Jinbar Waterfall is an amazing natural phenomenon. It is located in the Simien Mountains, in Ethiopia, and with a height of 1,640 ft, it is the highest true waterfall in Africa. Of all the tall waterfalls in the continent, this is the first one that produces water throughout the year.

Although the amount of water pouring out of the waterfall will vary from season to season, with an immense amount of water pouring out during the wet months, the consistent nature of the natural phenomenon supports a vibrant ecosystem. The surrounding area is green with lush plant life of various species.

Jinbar Waterfalls is located in a rugged environment; The Simien Mountains are among the loftiest peaks in Africa, with some of the ground averaging over 10,000 feet above sea level.

4. Mutarazi Falls

Height: 1,572 ft (479 m)

Location: Manicaland, Zimbabwe

Mutarazi Falls is a waterfall in Zimbabwe. It is located in the Mutarazi National Park adjacent to the southern border of the Nyanga National Park, which is in the Mutasa District in Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe.

Mutarazi Falls is the highest in Zimbabwe, although it is not the most popular. It supports a large ecosystem; and makes up an important part of the Mutarazi National Park, which has a wide range of plant and animal species.

Mutarazi Falls is a tourism cash cow; it attracts visitors from around the world.

5. Vivienne Falls

Height: 1,500 ft (457 m)

Location: Kenya

Vivienne Falls is a natural waterfall in Kenya. It is located in the east of the country, in an area that is largely mountainous in nature. Vivienne Falls has a height of about 1,500 ft, and it is an impressively rugged terrain. However, Vivienne Falls has not been promoted as much as it should; not many people even know of its existence.

Vivienne Falls is situated northeast of Lake Michaelson, and north of Gorges Valley.

6. Gura Falls

Height: 1,000 ft (305 m)

Location: Kenya

Gura Falls is located in Kenya. It is a year round waterfall that located in a very rugged and steep slope, which is well covered with thick vegetation. Gura Falls is often viewed from a distance; most people view it from the Karuru falls observation deck. It is located on the opposite side of the same gorge as Karuru falls.

It supports a vast ecosystem; the Abedare National Park is teeming with plant and animal life; and people come in from all over the world to see the waterfalls, and the natural surroundings.

7. Riandahy

Height: 984 ft (300 m)

Location: Fianarantsoa Province, Madagascar

The Riandahy Falls is highest waterfall in Madagascar. It is located in the region of Ihorombe in Madagascar. It is measured at a height of 984 ft which is equally impressive on the continental level. Riandahy is part of the Zomandao River in the Andringitra Massif near the Andringitra National Park.

The Riandahy Falls is also an important tourist destination. People visit to experience the beauty of the waterfalls, and also to see the animals that depend on it for water. Some of the animals in Madagascar can be found nowhere else in the world.

8. Karuru Falls

Height: 894 ft (272 m)

Location: Kenya

Karuru Falls measures 894 ft or 272 meters. It has been described by several sources as magnificent and opulent, while some sources wrongly call it the highest waterfall in Kenya. Karuru falls is completely surrounded by thick vegetation, which are all nestled in a very rugged terrain.

It is best viewed from a safe distance; such as that provided by the Karuru Falls observation deck. Karuru Falls is an important tourist attraction; the Abedare National Park supports a wide variety of plants and animals.

9. Rianbavy Falls

Height: 820 ft (250 m)

Location: Fianarantsoa Province, Madagascar

Rianbavy Falls is not to be confused with Riandahy Falls; this is a completely different waterfall. Rianbavy Falls is also located in the region of Ihorombe in Madagascar. It is in the southeast of the country, on the Zomandao River, near the Andringitra National Park.

Rianbavy Falls is located about 1KM away from Riandahy Falls, and forms part of a wider area of natural beauty, as well as an important conservation area.

10. Kambadaga Falls

Height: 818 ft (249m)

Location: Guinea

Kambadaga Falls is the highest waterfall in Guinea; it measures 818 ft, or 249 meters. This natural wonder is a year round waterfall, surrounded by thick vegetation in a very precarious terrain. It is a truly impressive waterfall; the volume of water pouring out of the waterfall is very staggering, especially during the rainy season.

This waterfall is located in Fouta-Djalon, is very important to the ecosystem; it supports a wide variety of plant and animal life. The Kambadaga Falls is also important to tourism in the country; it draws in visitors from all over the world, as they come to see the waterfalls that are sometimes are wide as 100 meters.

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Closing

The highest waterfalls in Africa are spread all over the continent. However, there is the issue of what constitutes a real waterfall because some of those listed may dry up during the dry season, and are only available during the wet season. Furthermore, some waterfalls are fed by the same rivers or tributaries; they only cascade at different locations, causing some commentators to classify them as the same waterfall.