You may well have heard of Devils pool, Victoria Falls, but its harder to find information on Angel Pool, Victoria Falls Zambia. Swimming at both pools offers the same experience.
In this guide, you’ll find all the information you need to visit Livingstone, Victoria Falls and how you can experience swimming at the top of this magnificent waterfall.
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Victoria Falls is one of the seven natural wonders of the world, and for those seeking to travel beyond the ordinary, this adventure will not disappoint.
What is Angel Pool, Victoria Falls?
Like devil’s pool, Angel’s pool sits at the top of Victoria Falls Zambia. Depending upon the level of water, devils pool is not always accessible, and that’s when tours visit Angel Pool instead.
Both pools offer a thrilling experience and the chance to swim at the top of Victoria Waterfall. The rocks are situated in such a way at the top of the falls that they’ve formed what could be described as the ultimate infinity swimming pool. Angel pool is reached by wading through the strong currents of the Zambezi River while you have to swim against the currents to get to the devils swimming pool.
While you can experience Vic falls in many ways, such as from the bridge at Victoria Falls border, a bungee jump at Victoria Falls or a scenic flight, none other than devil and angel pool offer you the chance to feel the power of the water.
For more information on the best hotels in Victoria Falls click here.
Neither pool is open all year round. So it’s essential to plan your visit if this is an adventure you don’t want to miss. Access to both pools is only possible on a Livingstone Island tour.
Best time to Visit Victoria Falls Zambia and Livingstone Island
Livingstone Island is open between late June and mid-March only. Angels pool is usually open between mid-July and late August and early January through to mid-February. Devils pool is open at similar times but can only be accessed if the water levels are not too high.
How to book on the Devil or Angel Pool tour.
You cannot visit Livingstone Island, Zambia independently as it is illegal. It is therefore only accessible as a part of an organised trip. The island accepts 120 visitors per day to preserve this World Heritage site. There are five tours per day, and the number of guests is limited to 16 so if you don’t want to miss out click here to book now.
Tongabezi operates the island, so all tour groups offer the same experience regardless of who you book through.
The adrenaline rush that you get leaning over the edge, swimming at the top of the falls and the sheer force of the flow of water is impossible to describe.
If you don’t believe me check out what others have to say, but be warned it gets a 5-star rating on TripAdvisor.
What does the Tongabezi Livingstone Island Tour Include?
- Boat transfer from the Royal Livingstone Hotel to the Island
- A welcome drink
- A brief tour of Livingstone Island
- Swimming in either Angels or Devil’s Pool Victoria Falls
- Two guides, both are there to assist you the whole time while you are at Victoria falls Devil’s Pool or Angels Pool. One guide will be in the water itself and the other on the side taking photographs.
- Meal breakfast, lunch or high tea are included depending on which swimming Vic falls tour you chose.
Drinks are provided during the meal although alcohol is not available during breakfast. - A towel – The staff will provide you with one, so you don’t need to bring your own
What’s is not included in the tour
- Transfers to the Royal Livingstone Hotel in Zambia
- Tips for the guides and the catering staff on Livingstone island
- Camera – The guides are happy to take photos during the trip, but you have to provide them with your camera
The Angel Pool Victoria Falls Tour offers a chance in a lifetime opportunity, don’t miss out, book it now.
What’s the Victoria Falls Livingstone Island Tour Like?
My trip to Angel Pool Victoria Falls was a somewhat impromptu one, but it turned out to be one of the most thrilling experiences I’ve encountered.
When planning my Zambian trip, I’d dismissed the island as its normally closed in late March, which was when I was visiting. However, sometimes you have to be in the right place at the right time and act on the spur of the moment.
How did our visit to Angel Falls, Zambia come about?
We’d gone to reception to arrange a safari for that morning, but our host at Kayube bungalows was on the phone.
Just a minute she said covering her hand over the speaker part of the phone;
“You girls don’t fancy a trip to Livingstone Island today, do you?”
I looked at my friend and immediately we both said;
“Yes!”.
She put the phone down and told us how lucky we were; it was the last day Angel Pool would be open this season and two people had just pulled out of the trip.
So that was that, that — a safari in the morning and a thrill-seeking adventure with high tea in the afternoon.
Angel Pool here we come
The trip departed from the Royal Livingstone Hotel, but before we could board the boat, we had to sign the consent forms.
The form made for thought-provoking reading, the worst possible outcome of an incident – Death. Having signed our lives away, literally, we boarded the boat and met our three fellow travel companions.
It’s a short boat ride but a thrilling one. The spray from Victoria waterfall is incredible, and the strong currents of the Zambezi coupled with the rocks make navigating the boat a challenge.
At times it felt a little more like we were on a white water rafting trip not a transfer to an island.
As the boat pulls up to shore, the friendly staff are there to greet you with a traditional Maheu energy drink made from maize meal. As welcome beverages go, it was slightly more palatable than others I’ve endured, like mates in Argentina.
Livingstone Island Tour
Livingstone Island sits on the edge of one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Although it is not the highest or longest, it is classed as the largest as it has the most amount of falling water.
David Livingstone discovered the island in 1855 on his pursuit of Mosi oa Tunya, which translates to ‘the smoke that thunders’ i.e. Victoria Falls. He went on to name the falls after Queen Victoria.
There was a time for a quick group chat before getting changed into our bathing suit and heading across a somewhat muddy marsh to the side of the falls. The noise of the water is so incredible you can feel it pounding through your feet.
The pictures don’t do the view justice as the spray from the falls creates so much mist; it looks like fog.
The force of the water was tremendous, and the adrenaline rush one gets from standing so close to the 110-metre drop is hard to explain.
What made the falls even more spectacular was the full semi-circular rainbow which spanned across the whole width.
It was so bright that it shone through all the mist; it was an incredible sight, unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.
Letting go of the Camera
The guides are fantastic, and before you start wading through the water, you have to hand your camera’s over to them. They reassure you that they will take lots of photos throughout your tour.
I think it’s great that they use your camera. It means that all the photographs are free. It would be much easier for them to have a company camera than juggle all the individual ones.
Of course, this would mean that you would have to buy them, so thank you to Tongabezi for such a personal touch.
How do you get to Angel Pool on the edge of Victoria Waterfalls
To reach Angel Pool, you have to wade through the Zambezi River.
The 5 of us formed a line and were told to hold hands. There’s a guide at the front to lead the way and one at the back to ensure no-one gets into difficulty.
The force of the water is seriously powerful, and the rocks underneath are quite vicious on your feet. I’d highly recommend bringing water shoes if you have them.
Wading through the water was the only part of the trip where I did feel both anxious and nervous. The strong current makes it impossible to see where you’re putting your feet and keeping your balance isn’t easy.
When you arrive at Angel Pool, the guides sit you or somewhat wedge you between the rocks in what I can only describe as an angel armchair. It’s like sitting in a hydrotherapy pool and having a thorough massage.
You are taken individually to Victoria Falls pool edge, and the guide holds your hand the whole time. They always go first, and their firm handgrip is most reassuring.
There’s plenty of photo opportunities at the edge of the falls, and the adrenaline rush is fantastic. Victoria Falls swimming was just amazing, and I loved every minute.
Recuperate with High Tea
Struggling through high currents and having your nerves tested leaves you somewhat ravenous.
Thankfully after we’d dried off our tour included high tea. The staff presented us with a delicious selection of sandwiches along with chocolate brownies which gave a much-needed boost to my energy reserves.
I’ve done many adventurous things in my time, but this over the falls tour was up there with the best. If your considering taking this tour click here and book it, you won’t regret it.
FQA on Angel and Devil Pools, Victoria Falls
If you still have reservations about this swimming at the top of Victoria falls maybe these answers will help.
Do you need a certain level of fitness to swim at Angel Pool or Devils Armchair?
Tongabezi does not request any level of fitness to participate in this trip nor is there any minimum or maximum weight limit. Do bear in mind that the force of the water when wading through the river is incredibly strong and at times it is challenging to keep your balance.
If your not a strong swimmer it is still possible to participate in this trip, make sure you inform the guides.
There is plenty of shallow water to sit and enjoy the view while watching others take their turn at the falls edge.
If you can not swim, I wouldn’t recommend this trip, but I presume as a none swimmer, being in a pool so close to a 110-metre drop, would probably not be top of your bucket list.
Is there an age limit to swim at Angel or Devil’s Pool Zambia?
To swim in either Devils or Angels pool you have to be aged 12 or over.
Is the experience worth it?
Absolutely! It’s not the cheapest excursion that you can do in Zambia, but it’s one of the most exhilarating.
Swimming at the edge of one of the worlds largest waterfalls is a must for adrenaline addicts.
This type of activity is not available at other significant waterfalls such as Iguazu falls in Brazil.
Even if you’re not usually a risk-taker, I would highly recommend the trip the view of the waterfall from above really allows you to appreciate why its called Mosi oa Tunya or ‘the smoke that thunders.
If you don’t want to swim, you don’t have to; the guides are very encouraging but not pushy.
If I get the opportunity to revisit Zambia I will do the tour again; it was great fun and a fantastic experience. You can find out more about travel experiences such as this, can benefit you here.
How do I get to the Royal Livingstone Hotel
The boat for Livingstone Island departs from the Royal Livingstone Hotel which is 10km from the centre of Livingstone.
The easiest way to get there is to book a taxi, your accommodation will call one for you if you ask or there are several taxi ranks in the centre of town.
Has there ever been any Devil’s Pool Victoria falls deaths?
No-one has ever died on an excursion by Tongabezi to either Angel Pool or Devil’s Pool.
However, a trip such as this has some risks. You are literally on the edge of the worlds most magnificent falls, and you are not attached to any rope or guideline.
You may read of a Victoria Falls Devil’s pool accident in 2009. It is true that a man died but that was in a different location, and he was not taking part in any tour.
The guides are both professional, and your safety is of utmost importance, so pay attention and do as they say. Your more likely to get an injury from the rocks, but these would only be minor.
Are there any natural Predators at these falls in Africa
The other risk is natural predators. Both crocodiles and hippos live in the river, and although the guide informed us that they’ve never seen any at the pools, there is always a first time.
You have to way up the risks for yourself; everyone has a different level of what they deem safe. Throughout my excursion, I felt completely safe and had every confidence in the qualified guides.
Victoria Falls Facts
Heres some interesting facts about Victoria Falls
Where is Victoria Falls located?
Victoria Falls, Africa is on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. You can visit the falls in Africa from either country.
How high is Victoria Falls?
Victoria Falls Height- 108 metres
Victoria Falls Width – 1 688 m
Who discovered Victoria Falls?
David Livingstone discovered the island in 1855 on his pursuit of Mosi oa Tunya, which translates to ‘the smoke that thunders’ i.e. Victoria Falls. He went on to name the falls after Queen Victoria.
Getting to Victoria Falls Zambia
Most international visitors to Zambia fly from Johannesburg in South Africa.
What is the closest airport for Victoria Falls?
Livingstone airport in Zambia is 30km away. You can also fly to Kasane, Botswana and take a day trip from there. You can find more information about a self-drive safari in Botswana by clicking here.
Where is the nearest accommodation at Victoria Falls?
The closest accommodation to Victoria Falls, Zambia is the Royal Livingstone Hotel. If you’re interested in learning more about the closest hotel to Victoria Falls Zimbabwe click here.
For more information and the latest prices on the Royal Livingstone hotel click here.
If you’re after luxury, there’s no better place than the Royal Livingstone hotel. This 5-star resort sits on the banks of the river Zambezi and is just a short walk from Victoria Falls. With fine dining, spa treatments, luxurious rooms and complimentary access to the falls there’s no better place to stay.
You can read about the best hotels in Victoria Falls for all budgets in this article.
Kayube River House and Bungalows
If your looking for an idyllic, peaceful and simply stunning setting, but can’t afford the Royal Livingstone, I’d highly recommend Kayube.
We stayed at these beautiful chalets; each has a kitchen area and a veranda that looks over the Zambezian river. Joseph one of the staff members collected us from the airport, and on arrival, the housekeepers greeted us with a traditional song.
Karien, the manager is lovely, and nothing is too much trouble. She organised all our excursions and helped us arrange our transport from Zambia to Botswana.
Unfortunately, Kayube River House is 15 miles away from Victoria Falls, but it’s easy to get a taxi, and the accommodation offers outstanding value for money.
Olga’s Italian Corner
On returning to Zambia from Botswana, we opted to stay at this delightful guest house which has a fantastic Italian restaurant.
The rooms are quite basic, but they have everything you need. All profits from the restaurant and guest house go to the Youth Community Training Center which supports the vulnerable youth of Livingstone.
The reception has plenty of information on the area, and the travel desk can arrange a large variety of tours.
If you’re interested in visiting Botswana, you can read more about planning a self-drive itinerary here.
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Would you swim in Angels or Devils Pool? Leave a comment below; I can’t wait to find out.
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Hi, I’m Fiona Berry- I live in Lancashire in the North of England, but my job as an instrumental music examiner takes me all over the world. Travel has enriched my life in so many ways and allowed me to experience different cultures, make new friends and see extraordinary sights. Through this blog, I share my knowledge and expertise so that my readers have all the resources they require to ensure their travels provide unique and unforgettable memories to destinations that are beyond the ordinary.
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