Tourists can be near the precipice of Victoria Falls
This is a tale of two Zambian pools created by Mother Nature, one with an angelic-sounding name, the other with a satanic-sounding moniker and neither of which is for those seeking mundane tourism experiences.
The side of Victoria Falls found within Zambia is home to both the Devil’s Pool and the lesser-known Angel’s Pool, both of which bring adrenaline-seekers near the point where staggering amounts of water cascade over the precipice of the dramatic natural attraction, plunging down as much as 108 meters.
The falls were originally called The Smoke That Thunders, with smoke a reference to the mist they create and thunder referring to their roar. Tourism authorities are quick to note the dramatically dissimilar names the two pools have.
“As sweet as she sounds, Angel’s Pool is by no means the more reserved option,” cautions Zambia Tourism. “Generally open when Devil’s Pool isn’t, the best time to pop in at Angel’s Pool is just before the water levels get too high, mid-March to mid-June. This is right when the falls are at their most impressive and you can experience the full force of the mighty Zambezi River. Don’t be fooled into thinking that Angel’s Pool is the tamer option. She’s not as innocent as she sounds! “
The tourist board adds that the Devil’s Pool in turn has a steep precipice and provides “an up-close-and-personal view of the sheer drop off the side of the falls – and is indeed the ultimate infinity pool!”
The Zambezi has rainy and dry seasons, resulting in fluctuating water levels. The pools were created by thousands of years of erosion
Among fearless Devil’s Pool visitors was Dani Rose of tour company Zambian Ground Handlers, who reports that she “wasn’t nervous at all! I would recommend being a bit of a stronger swimmer because there is a bit of a current, but it’s the best experience! I always say you should see the falls face on, fly over the falls and swim in the falls.”
Rose reports she would be willing to venture into the pool with the soothing-sounding name but has yet to do so.
“I would definitely do it!” says the intrepid Rose. “I just haven’t been in the right season to be completely honest. When Devil’s Pool is closed, Angel’s is open – although they do overlap. When I have gone, I’ve just always opted for Devil’s.
“Devil’s Pool is a bit more ‘dangerous’ and bigger than Angel’s,” she continues. “I say dangerous because it’s right on the edge, while Angel’s is a little bit more reserved but by no means less thrilling.”
“It takes a rocky walk and swim in the Zambezi to reach the pool before slipping into the adrenalin-pumping swimming hole. Those fearless enough to leap into the pool get pushed to the edge by the force of the river, with a rock lip bringing them to a halt as the raging waters of the Zambezi crash over the close-by cliffs,” Zambia Tourism says of Devil’s Pool.
Angel’s Pool hasn’t gotten the attention that Devil’s Pool has, something Rose attributes to “original marketing.”
Meg Shepro of Time + Tide, which has upscale Zambian wilderness retreats, labels herself an adventurous traveller. “I knew about the Devil’s Pool for quite some time and its safety measures, so I was not scared off by the name! You are with two guides during the experience, one who walks the edge of the falls and assists you getting in and out of the pool as well as taking photos, and another who is in the pool with you to ensure you do not have issues swimming and always have a professional to hold on to.”
Meanwhile, Rose says that even those who don’t have nerves of steel can hop in either the Devil’s or Angel’s Pools, pointing to a family member as proof of that.
“I would say if you’re up for adventure, both pools are great,” she states. “People don’t need to swim to the edge if they don’t want to, they can wallow in the pools and have their pictures taken ‘almost’ at the edge. The guides are also very skilled with their photos, so if people are too scared to go right to the edge, they’ll angle it to look like they have. My mom is a scaredy cat, and she did Devil’s Pool with me! She didn’t dangle on the edge, but she did sit on the rocks nearby the edge”
And those who might be a little wary of some of the predatory creatures found in the Zambezi might take comfort in that they won’t be sharing either pool with them, Rose notes.
“There are no crocs in either of the pools,” she correctly points out.
