Back-to-nature escapes: waterfalls

For millennia, waterfalls have captivated humankind. There’s something awe-inspiring about the natural phenomena of thundering water, the plummet into mist, the arching rainbows as the spray captures the light of the sun. To this day, they’re seen as cultural landmarks, honored and revered for their power and majesty. In celebration, we’ve grouped together our pick of top waterfalls to visit around the world. If you’re intent on seeing them up close (and why wouldn’t you?), click on the destination links to get chatting with one of our locally-based travel experts.

Ban Gioc-Detian Falls, Vietnam and China

A waterfall for those who love an intrepid mission, Ban Gioc-Detian (or Ban Gioc Falls for short) is a good seven hours from Hanoi, Vietnam, straddling the border with China. These falls are of deep importance to both countries, steeped in history and folklore.

With their multi-tiered cascades over karst limestone ledges, creating mist and rainbows, they’re hugely impressive to see, and visitors can admire them from several viewpoints overhead. These are the fourth-biggest waterfalls that cover more than one country – the combined width of the falls stretches over 656ft (200m), and they have a total drop of about 98ft (30m) across several tiers.

Victoria Falls, Zambia and Zimbabwe

Next on our list of waterfalls to visit around the world, and arguably one of the more famous, Victoria Falls is well-known for good reason. Located on the Zambezi River, straddling the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, Victoria is seen as the largest waterfall in the world based on its combined width of 5,604ft (1,708m) and height of 354ft (108m).

Local villagers that live around Victoria Falls call it Mosi-oa-Tunya, which means “The Smoke That Thunders” in the Lozi language. This refers to the extraordinary mist produced by the plunging waters ‘thundering’ into the Batoka Gorge below, creating a misty cloud – resembling smoke – rising up to 400m high.

Visitors can experience this marvel of nature in a number of ways: either by hiking between viewpoints in the Victoria Falls National Park, or if on the Zambia side, watching from the Knife Edge Bridge in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. From here, you get a view of the Boiling Pot, a swirling whirlpool at the base of the falls.

Niagara Falls, USA and Canada

Everyone has heard of the Niagara Falls. It’s a major landmark and hugely culturally significant for Americans and Canadians – and for Native Americans, it has been revered for thousands of years. The falls sit on the US/Canadian border between Ontario and New York, and comprise three separate sections: Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. Horseshoe is the most recognizable for its incredible 2,600ft (790m)-wide, shoe-shaped cascade and a drop of 167ft (51m).

As it’s a major tourist attraction, there are myriad ways to experience this vast and mesmerizing natural spectacle. Boat tours on both sides of the falls take you right to the base, offering a thrilling and very wet, up-close encounter with the powerful cascades. Some may even try the expeditions that take you into caves to see behind the falls themselves. An array of excellent observation decks is also on hand, including aerial-view towers, for a much dryer experience.

Gulfoss Falls, Iceland

Those who have visited Iceland will know that Gulfoss is one of the must-sees on the popular Golden Circle Route, alongside Thingvellir Park and the Geysir Geothermal Area. Gulfoss is a spectacular waterfall and one of the most iconic emblems of Iceland, due to the thundering Hvítá River plummeting down in two tiers, creating a stunning double-cascade effect.

The sheer power of the water at Gulfoss is hard to ignore – it thunders through the surrounding canyon, its crashing sounds echoing into the atmosphere. It’s bizarre to think this mass of water is coming directly from Langjökull, Iceland’s second-largest glacier. Though it feels very remote, it’s relatively accessible to visit on a tour of Iceland’s highlights – a local expert can show you the best viewpoints.

Iguazu Falls, Brazil and Argentina

One of the most majestic waterfalls to visit around the world, the Iguazu Falls is a star of both Brazil and Argentina. The Iguazu River originates in Brazil, flowing through the lush rainforests of the Amazon Basin before crashing down as the falls and thundering on through the wildlife-rich National Park.

Amazingly, there are 125 separate waterfalls in Iguazu – the most popular to view is known as Devil’s Throat, a U-shaped chasm where the majority of the water flows. On both Argentine and Brazilian sides of the falls, visitors can amble well-planned walkways and admire the magnificent spectacle from a number of vantage points.

Though it’s obviously a big tourist draw in both Brazil and Argentina, for much longer it has been of huge importance to the Indigenous Guarani people, who have honored the falls as a sacred part of their ancestral lands for centuries.

Ruacana Falls, Angola and Namibia

Another border falls straddling Angola and Namibia in the southern regions of Africa, the Ruacana Falls is gloriously epic and one of our favorite waterfalls to visit around the world. Coming from the Kunene River, it fractures into hundreds of diverting cascades over a series of basalt cliffs, forming one of the most fascinating natural waterfalls on the continent.

The falls change a lot with the seasons – the dry season (May to October) will significantly reduce the amount of water coming over the cliffs. If you’re around during the wet season and the water is flowing, however, it’s highly worth the journey. Ruacana is one of the more difficult falls to visit, accessible only by 4×4 over rugged terrain, and there isn’t much in the way of facilities. Have a local travel expert advise you on this trip – they can let you know how and when to see the falls at its most impressive.

Huka Falls, New Zealand

For a more accessible gem, the Huka Falls in New Zealand is situated not far from tourist spot, Lake Taupo. The most notable feature of these falls is the sheer force of the water – with the 100m-wide Waikato River channeling through a narrow gap of 15m, the resultant cascade is immensely powerful. Gushing with around 220 cubic meters of water per second, it’s one of the highest flowing waterfalls in the world.

Visitors can hike the length of the falls and follow it as it rushes downstream, or the more adventurous can spectate from a boat. This is just one of thousands of natural marvels in New Zealand, where lakes, waterfalls and towering cliffs are abundant.

Make it happen

Feeling the power of the world’s natural splendor with our list of top waterfalls to visit around the world? Get in touch with any of our locally-based experts – they’re on the ground in our destinations, ready to plan a tour that encapsulates all that nature has to offer.

1. Vietnam
2. China
3. Zimbabwe
4. Canada
5. Iceland
6. Brazil
7. Argentina
8. Namibia
9. New Zealand