Taking a swim in the Devil’s Pool

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If you’re ever in Zimbabwe, don’t miss the chance to take a swim in The Devil’s Pool, a small lagoon, enclosed by rocks, on the edge of one of the biggest, most beautiful waterfalls in the world, Victoria Falls. Set on Livingstone Island, at a height of 103 meters, Devil’s Pool is definitely one of the most surreal locations on Earth.

a man swimming on the edge of Victoria Falls

taking a photo in Devil's Pool

couple relaxing in the Devil's Pool

admiring the view of Victoria Falls

father and son on the edge of Victoria Falls

father and son posing in Devil's Pool

woman screaming on top of Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe

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Feedback (299 Comments)

  • Mikhaela Posted on May 6, 2010

    At first, when my youngest was still alive, I loved waterfalls. One day my high school friends invited me and my kids to swim in a waterfall. My youngest kid, who was 6, asked permission from me to swim near the edge of the waterfall. I was reckless at that time because I was still 20. Then after a few minutes she fell from the waterfall, screaming. We quickly went at the bottom of the falls and we found her dead. That’s all you needed to hear.

  • Zimbabwean Posted on May 6, 2010

    I’m a Zimbabwean, and the last pic looks like it could be of a black guy, but unable to see why its such a problem to sit in a pool of water where there is ovbiously not strong current. We dont have 3 squillion health and saftey advisors manning a large construction team to put railings up, we enjoy things in their natural beauty, and we are born with common sense, we dont sue someone if we are stupid enough to hurt ourselves. And anyone who has been to Vic Falls can see from the pics, yes, its on the Zambian side not the Zimbabwean.

    Yes, I’m expecting all the noob 9 yr old posts, but hey normal people have done nothing for so long look what the dregs of society have done to most of the internet as is, and where they are from, always very quick to criticise anyone else, and to change the topic when they are under criticism.

  • Zimbabwean Posted on May 6, 2010

    A deadly waterfall ? How is it deadly ? Is the water poisoned ? Do you need a sign up to say, hey this might be a bad idea ?

  • Zimbabwean Posted on May 6, 2010

    This is why i dont agree with children parents, if your child was 6 when you were 20, I assume you were responsible enough adult to have a child at 14 ?

  • Zimbabwean Posted on May 6, 2010

    What uneducated orfice did you spew that pile of misinformation from ? You could have a better result of a fact if you tried to google it while typing the search string with your elbows, mostly white people in South Africa ? This may not be accurate, but estimated from the standpoint of someone who yes, has been there, lived for a while, and have a clue in the first place, there are possibly a ratio of 500 black people to every 1 white person in South Africa, being generous, the ratio is probably closer to 650:1 but as a rough guestimation, there you have it

  • Mikhaela Posted on May 6, 2010

    I know.. I’m just plain stupid to have a child at fourteen. And have more children coming.

  • Tukayex Posted on May 7, 2010

    And this is why 14 year olds should not have children.

  • XMalice Posted on May 8, 2010

    It seems reasonably safe. There don’t appear to be strong currents and there’s clearly a natural ledge. Why are so many of you guys such wusses? Is it the name of the thing or what? I’d love to see this some day. It’s absolutely beautiful.

  • Emily Posted on May 9, 2010

    Oh man. I want to go so badly now! There’s nothing quite like being near a powerful force of nature without all the silly protections put in place, making it feel safer than it really is.
    The danger and awe of a place is much better preserved this way. My heart beats faster just thinking about it!

  • Romi Posted on May 9, 2010

    It’s just great. I and my husband have done the same thing last year. It was great, great memories and experience. The fact is it’s dangerous. It’s not a lagoon it’s just a whole, where the stream isn’t so strong to take you down, but you are literally swimming millimeters from death. One bad step and you learn to fly. We were lucky, met some great people there but 3 days after our exciting swim a stupid tourist didn’t listen to the guyed and went too close and nearly flied over. The guyed saw it and saved him but UNFORTUNATELY didn’t save himself – just bc some tourists think they are gods on top of the world, when they get there.

    If, you go to Zimbabwe to see Vic falls, it’s great even without getting a swim in it. If you go to Zambia, then try it, if you need to feel alive and get adrenalin pumping through your body. Just be careful when you swim there.

  • Mark Posted on May 11, 2010

    HAHAHAahahahahahhahhahahahhahahah. Well spotted.

  • davidndh Posted on May 12, 2010

    Actually, your wrong dude. I've personally swam in the Devil's Pool (Nov 09).

    I'm half Irish and half Zambian (was visiting family in Zambia).

    Basically, you can NOT go there alone, you need to go via motor boat, you get taken on a tour of livingstone island, then lead safely to the pool and shown how to jump in to where its safe. At all times you are escorted by a team of guides.

    Who do you think is taking the pictures?!

    The guides are all local Zambian or Zimbabwean.

  • Insurance quotes homeowners Posted on May 16, 2010

    that looks like good fun will have to go there.

  • majalah Posted on May 18, 2010

    Yeah.. it's too dangerous. I won't do that

  • JR Riel Posted on May 21, 2010

    are u serious? i just got some CRAZY goose bumps just looking at these pics. if i ever make my way to the falls, i will have to be sure to make it those pools. thanks a lot for this hot tip!

  • Steam Shower Posted on May 25, 2010

    I agree with Rasha. I would never let my child near that what if they squirmed away and fell.

  • serge Posted on May 29, 2010

    It's a black guy standing on the edge. Must be one of the guides.

  • Chinthaka Posted on May 31, 2010

    You are right Rasha.Accidents do happen.

  • priya Posted on May 31, 2010

    great and fearfull

  • hee Posted on June 3, 2010

    how could that place ever be opened for public? too dangerous??!!!

  • Charles H. Schmidt Posted on June 3, 2010

    AHUHUAHUAHUAUHAHUAHUHUUHAHUAHUAHU
    this is in Brazil
    well…
    i never go there
    and i could never do that to
    but you know… some people are crazy

  • Cecilia Posted on June 4, 2010

    What is in Brazil, Charles?

  • Cecilia Posted on June 4, 2010

    Indeed it is a pleasure to see, walk, live this natural wild beauty…

    I was just at the Vic Falls (Zam side) last week (wrong timing to do the pool as the river is as full as it has been in a long time,) but I would have done the pool without a doubt given the chance.

    I slipped and fell on the narrow bridge (slippery as hell from the water) and the spray was so intense people could barely tell someone was on the ground to help me up. Got a bruised elbow and butt, but it would never occur to me that it was anyone’s but my own responsibility. It is part of the reality and it is beside us to pretend it can be turned into a Disneyland park just so visitors can feel safer. The gentleman who unfortunately plunged to his death on New Year’s eve of 04 trying to retrieve his glasses wouldn’t have thought it should be done. The guide who died to save a tourist wouldn’t either, I am sure. Common sense goes a long way indeed.

    My trip was short, but awesome–soaked to the bone even with two raincoats on. Everything about the falls is larger than life. Overwhelming and impossible to take in so quickly. I am still absorbing all I saw in such a short time. The only other time I ever felt this overwhelmed and crying like a baby from the magnitude of it all was in Egypt at the temples. I had thought I’d never be back to Vic Falls, but now I know I will (even if I don’t now when and probably after also having seen the Iguaçú Falls in my own country) and hope to take my husband with me (however afraid of heights he is.)

  • Qweoewq Posted on June 10, 2010

    oh my i serious want to try that out looks like fun i can even see the fun in their eyes damn im jeaouls

  • Travel With a Mate.com Posted on June 13, 2010

    My parents have done this and I'm very jealous! I'll hopefully be doing this as part of a tour of Africa next year.

  • Abigail Posted on June 19, 2010

    Leaning over a waterfall is stupid! You have to be carefull aspesholly with children beside you. You could get killed with you killed I don't think your family would be happy, do you? So as you can see it is very silly to lean over an enormas waterfall.

  • Abigail Posted on June 19, 2010

    Leaning over a waterfall is stupid! You have to be carefull aspesholly with children beside you. You could get killed with you killed I don't think your family would be happy, do you? So as you can see it is very silly to lean over an enormas waterfall.

  • Big Mike D Posted on June 25, 2010

    Damn racists

  • Renee M. Posted on July 10, 2010

    hmmm….didn’t she say “when my youngest was still alive”? If she was 20, and her child was 6, wouldn’t that mean she was 14 when she had the baby, and that this one who drowned had not been her only one, making her, say, 12 or 13 years old for her first baby? Clearly crap, I think. Hopefully she didn’t lose a child and is just looking for comments…

  • Daniella Posted on August 9, 2010

    I personally would never do such a thing or let my children in there. It is too big of a risk. But I’m wondering… how the hell did people discover this pool? Trial and error?

  • Stephan Posted on August 14, 2010

    About Mikhaela’s post: I’m 15 years old and I know better than letting my 5 years old brother swim near the edge of a waterfall. And I do trust him and I want him to be self-confident but he lacks strength, coordination and knowledge of whatever might be risky in this world to be able to do such a thing safely. So that you were 20 years old is not excuse since I’m 5 years younger and understand the risk well and know how to keel my brother safe without smoothering him.

  • Jak Posted on August 21, 2010

    I don’t see why people freak out so easily over such things. I can easily see the appeal and it’s well worth the fairly minor risk in my opinion for the experience, what’s the purpose of life if not to live?

    As for the kids, none seem untended and most have their parents hanging onto them. Trust me those kids are not going over the edge, lol. As long as the kids are held or within arms reach of an adult I fail to see the trouble or concern.

  • Thristhan Posted on August 29, 2010

    Wow, that’s ridiculious. I’m not sure whether I would dare to do that.

  • Online Printing Studio Posted on August 29, 2010

    What great sight it must be from up there. Looks dangerous though.

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