Devil's Pool, Natural swimming pool at Victoria Falls, Zambia
Devil's Pool forms at the edge of Victoria Falls, where a natural rock barrier creates a protected swimming area above the waterfall drop. The clear water allows visitors to swim safely while observing the massive water flow and mist just beyond the pool's rim.
Explorer David Livingstone documented this section of Victoria Falls in 1855 when he first encountered the waterfall from Livingstone Island. His accounts brought attention to the area and contributed to its later development as a travel destination.
The area carries the name Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning The Smoke that Thunders, reflecting how local communities have long understood this powerful natural force as central to their world. People view this place as a source of identity and connection to the land.
Access requires a guided tour from the Zambian side, typically available from mid-August to late December when water levels remain low. Visitors should be comfortable swimming and have steady nerves, as the location sits at the edge of a major waterfall.
Swimmers can position themselves at the pool's edge, experiencing the unusual sensation of being just meters from the massive waterfall drop. This direct exposure to the power of falling water creates an experience that stays with visitors long after they leave.
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