What is the highest waterfall in Africa?

Tugela Falls is the highest waterfall in Africa. It descends from the Drakensberg escarpment in Royal Natal National Park, in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province, as a series of five separate tiers rather than one uninterrupted plunge.

Its traditionally accepted total drop is about 948 metres. A 2016 Czech measurement estimated the full height at 983 metres, although that newer figure has not been universally adopted. The falls are seasonal, so their flow can vary dramatically depending on rainfall.

Tugela is often confused with Victoria Falls, which is far wider and more famous but not as tall. Another common mix-up involves Venezuela’s Angel Falls: Angel Falls is generally regarded as having the world’s highest single uninterrupted drop, while Tugela’s advantage concerns its combined multi-tier height. The falls’ name comes from the Tugela River, whose Zulu name is uThukela.