Is swimming in Devil’s Pool at Victoria Falls safe?

On the Zambian side of the falls, the Devil’s Pool is considered one of the most exciting yet dangerous experiences to have. Before you travel, here’s what you should know.

When you swim in the Devil’s Pool, you’re just inches from diving over the top of a massive waterfall and plummeting down a 354ft (108m) drop. On the Zambia–Zimbabwe border, Victoria Falls pours 38,430 cubic feet of water per second into the abyss. However, there is one place where the rushing water does not reach, and if you know where to tread and where not to swim, you can face death.

The Devil’s Pool is the name of that particular location.

While there are risks involved with swimming in the Devil’s Pool, local guides will lead you there and provide safety advice to ensure that you have a fun and safe experience.

Is swimming in Devil’s Pool at Victoria Falls safe?

Travelers can swim at the Devil’s Pool with an organized tour group during the dry season (mid-August to mid-January), when the waterfalls aren’t gushing (too much) over the side.

Many visitors are unaware that getting to the Devil’s Pool requires swimming through a small part of the Zambezi River. If you can’t swim well, the guides will assist you by joining a line and holding hands. You should be warned, though, that there is a current, which makes it a little more frightening for some.

Before you all enter, the guides will check for crocodiles or hippos. That’s true, crocodiles and hippos may be swimming in the Zambezi River. Of course, the guides will not put you in danger if wildlife is sighted. These animals haven’t been seen in the Devil’s Pool, but they could be hiding in the Zambezi’s shallow waters.

When you get to the pool, there’s a rock lip that prevents swimmers from being flung over the edge, forming the water pool at the top of the falls. While swimming is permitted here, it is up to visitors not to be foolish and tempt fate by swimming too close to the edge or disregarding the experts’ safety advise.

Swim at your own risk here. While no one has died here, accidents can occur when individuals trip on rocks.

The falls on the Zimbabwean side

The Zimbabwean side of the falls has traditionally been the most popular destination. Victoria Falls National Park is a short walk from town, and the best views are from this side.

However, due to Zimbabwe’s unstable economic status, visitors choose the Zambian side. According to legend, hotel occupancy on the Zimbabwean side had dropped to 30% by 2006, while the Zambian side was at full capacity and new accommodations were rapidly being built.

However, people have begun to return to Zimbabwe since 2011, owing to cheaper accommodation and decreased park fees that provide greater value for money.

Victoria Falls has endured some of the same food and gasoline shortages as the rest of Zimbabwe, but things are looking up. Local hotel owners assure that Victoria Falls has much of what you need, but don’t anticipate much variety.

At the falls, stay safe

Local businesses have worked tirelessly to restore peace and ensure that the town remains safe for visitors. The area is patrolled by tourist police, who are identifiable by their yellow vests. They can be found around the town and at the falls.

Most hotels also have security guards, which can be useful while dealing with local touts. They are normally kept at bay by the police and guards.

The nightlife has increased as more visitors return to the falls. At night, there are breweries, restaurants, and other sites to visit.

If you must travel at night, make sure you have someone with you and avoid walking in the dark and take cabs. Not to avoid people, but to avoid any animals that could be on the wild.

It’s also not a good idea to wander down to the falls at night, just in case you come across any wildlife.

Zambia’s side

There’s always a different view or something to tempt you to cross to the other side of the falls, no matter which side you’re on.

You’ll need a Zambian entry visa and a Zimbabwean re-entry visa if you wish to travel all the way across to the Zambian town of Livingstone. All of these visas can be obtained on the spot, but expect to pay between $35 and $100, depending on the type of visa. Many hotels provide day tripper packages that include all of the necessary arrangements.

You do not need a visa to view the falls from the middle of the bridge; simply bring your passport.

Additional Victoria Falls travel safety advice

Avoid getting your passport wet when visiting Victoria Falls. A tiny dry bag or ziplock bag is useful for this; otherwise, attempting to travel with a damaged passport may result in complications, and you may have to pay for a replacement.

Bring a poncho or spray jacket because you will get wet.

So either place your camera equipment in a waterproof housing, a dry bag, or keep it hidden in your backpack.

Zimbabwe Dollars are no longer accepted in the hotels here. They accept credit cards and accept US dollars or South African Rand. Small shops in Victoria Falls do not accept credit cards; cash, preferably US dollars, is the only currency accepted. However, the situation could change at any time, so verify with your hotel or travel provider before departing in case the approved currency has changed again.

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Is swimming in Devil’s Pool at Victoria Falls safe?

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