Top 10 Waterfalls in South Africa
South Africa's waterfalls range from the 948-metre Tugela — the world's second-tallest — to the Mpumalanga panorama route's tourist falls. The Drakensberg holds the highest. All ten on the map.
1. Tugela Falls, KwaZulu-Natal
Five-tier plunge down the Drakensberg escarpment, total 948 metres — the world's second-tallest waterfall (after Angel). Hike from Royal Natal park.
2. Augrabies Falls, Northern Cape
56-metre fall on the Orange River through a granite gorge. Volume occasionally exceeds Niagara's after summer rains.
3. Howick Falls, KwaZulu-Natal
95-metre plunge on the Umgeni River in the town of Howick. Town centre viewing platform. Restricted access below the lip due to fatal cliff incidents.
4. Berlin Falls, Mpumalanga
80-metre fall on the Panorama Route, surrounded by pine forest. Viewing platform on the cliff opposite the lip.
5. Lisbon Falls, Mpumalanga
94-metre triple-tier on the Panorama Route — the tallest in Mpumalanga. Roadside viewpoint and trail to the upper lip.
6. Mac-Mac Falls, Mpumalanga
65-metre twin fall named after Scottish gold prospectors ('Mac McMac'). Picnic area and roadside viewpoint.
7. Bridal Veil Falls, Mpumalanga
70-metre veil near Sabie, reached by a short forest walk. Soft, fan-shaped flow gives the name.
8. Magwa Falls, Eastern Cape
144-metre plunge into a deep, narrow gorge in the Pondoland coastal grassland. Remote; unfenced cliff edge.
9. Maletsunyane (Lesotho border), Free State
Lesotho's 192-metre Semonkong fall sits close to the South African border; combined trips popular. Abseiling permitted.
10. Karkloof Falls, KwaZulu-Natal
105-metre fall in the Karkloof Nature Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Year-round flow; viewing platform and trail.
From reading to planning
All of these are pinned on our interactive map.