Devil's Pool is a natural rock pool on the very edge of Victoria Falls, next to Livingstone Island on the Zambian side. When the Zambezi is low, usually from about mid-August into December or early January, a lip of rock holds back the current, and you can swim to the edge and look straight down the 100 m-plus drop. Zambezi Dusk arranges visits through a licensed partner operator.
How it works
Visits to Devil's Pool go by boat to Livingstone Island, in the middle of the river at the top of the Falls. Tours run in small groups at set times, and numbers are limited, so in peak season places go quickly.
On the island, guides walk you to the pool. You swim a short stretch of river to reach it, then slide in. A guide sits at the edge and positions you; you lie on your front and look over the lip of the Falls while someone takes photographs. The swim itself is short, and the whole visit, including the island tour, lasts a few hours.
Some tours include breakfast or lunch on the island. Ask the lodge which option it is booking for you.
The season, month by month
| Month | Typical status |
|---|---|
| January to early August | Closed: the river is too high |
| Mid-August | Opens, depending on the year's water level |
| September to November | Open; the core season |
| December to early January | Often still open, closing as the rains raise the river |
These dates are not fixed. The operator decides each year based on the river, and a wet rainy season upstream can delay the opening by weeks. If Devil's Pool is the reason for your trip, plan for September to November and confirm with the lodge before you book flights.
Who it suits
- Confident swimmers. You swim in moving water to reach the pool.
- People comfortable with heights. You are lying on the edge of a waterfall.
- Anyone happy to follow instructions exactly. The guides are strict for good reason.
Operators set their own age and health rules. If you are travelling with teenagers, or have any medical condition, ask the lodge to check before booking.
Is it safe?
The pool is safe at low water because a rock barrier stops you being carried over. Licensed guides decide who swims and when, and they close the pool when the river is too high or conditions change. Problems happen when people ignore the guides or try to reach the pool on their own. Don't.
Check your travel insurance covers adventure activities, and tell the operator about any health issues.
What goes wrong
- Planning around the wrong dates. Visitors who come in July expecting to swim are disappointed every year. If the pool matters, travel from September.
- Leaving it too late. Places are limited and the core months are busy. Tell the lodge as soon as you have dates.
- Bad footing. The rocks on the island are slippery. Wear sandals or water shoes that strap on, and take them off only when the guide says.
- Valuables. Leave anything you don't need at the lodge. A dry bag for the island is enough.
What to bring
- Swimming costume, worn under your clothes.
- A towel and a change of clothes, or a sarong.
- Sunscreen and a hat for the island.
- Sandals or water shoes that stay on.
- A waterproof phone pouch, if you want your own photos. Guides usually take photographs for you.
Pairing it with other things
Devil's Pool takes a morning or afternoon. Pair it with:
- a Victoria Falls tour on the same day, which shows you the Falls from the opposite side of the gorge;
- a quiet afternoon at the lodge and the evening boat safari;
- for couples, the spa treatment included on stays of two nights or more. See honeymoon stays.
Cost
Prices are set by the operator and change from season to season. The lodge will quote the current rate and confirm whether it is included in your stay or charged as an extra.