The World’s Highest Waterfalls

Here at SafarisAfricana.com, we are going to discuss the world’s highest waterfalls. If you are a nature lover just like us, stick to the list of 10 highest waterfalls in the world till the end.

There are different kinds of waterfalls in the world. In some waterfalls, water comes straight from above and in other cases, it comes down slowly, like a lady stepping downstairs. No matter what, the sound of a waterfall too loud or too soft, soothes the soul. There is pleasure in watching a waterfall and feeling the sensation just like the flow of blood through our veins.

Before reading the list, let’s know all about the waterfalls.

What’s a waterfall?

According to Wikipedia, A waterfall is a location or area where water flows over a vertical drop or a series of elevated drops in the course of a stream or river.

Waterfalls also occur where water released from melting ice drops over the edge of a tabular iceberg or floating ice.

What about the height of a waterfall?

Here’s an interesting fact for you. Do you know? There is no standard way to measure the height of a waterfall. When the height of a waterfall is mentioned, it tends to show an estimated value of height. Those measures are not precise.

Let’s take the officially available measures.

How many types of waterfalls are there?

There are several types of waterfalls in the world. Here we’re putting light on the popular types and their examples.

• Ledge Waterfall: In this kind of waterfall, Water descends vertically over a vertical cliff, maintaining partial contact with the bedrock. e.g. Niagara Falls
• Plunge: In a plunge, water descends vertically in haste, losing complete contact with the bedrock surface. e.g. Angel Falls
• Horsetail: In a horsetail waterfall, descending water maintains contact with bedrock most of the time. e.g. Jog falls
• Cataract: Cataract is a large and powerful waterfall. e.g. Victoria Falls

What are you waiting for? Let’s dive into the list of 10 world’s highest waterfalls.

Top 10 Highest Waterfalls in the World

10. Browne Falls

• Height: 836 metres (2,743 ft)
• Location: Doubtful Sound, Southland, New Zealand

Browne Falls is the 10th highest waterfall in the world. It is located in Fiordland National Park, New Zealand. It is one of the two waterfalls that claim to be the highest waterfall in New Zealand.

The falls are named after the photographer, Victor Carlyle Browne. He discovered the falls in the 1940s.

9. James Bruce Falls

• Height: 840 metres (2,756 ft)
• Location: British Columbia, Canada

James Bruce Falls is the 9th tallest waterfall in the world. It is the highest waterfall in North America.

You can find the waterfall in Princess Louisa Marine Provincial Park.

8. Pu’uka’oku Falls

• Height: 840 metres (2,756 ft)
• Location: Hawaii, United States

Pu’uka’oku Falls is the 8th highest waterfall in the world. You can find the waterfall in the Molokai islands, in Hawaii.

What are you waiting for? Don’t miss the Pu’uka’oku falls on your next trip to Hawaii.

7. Balåifossen

• Height: 850 metres (2,789 ft)
• Location: Hordaland, Norway

Balåifossen Falls is the 7th highest waterfall in the world. It is located in Hordaland, Norway. Hordaland is semicircular.

The height of the Balåifossen Falls is 850 meters. According to the latest data, its tallest single drop is 452 meters. It is situated on the river Baläi.

6. Vinnufossen

• Height: 860 metres (2,822 ft)
• Location: Møre og Romsdal, Norway

Vinnufossen or Vinnufallet is the 6th tallest waterfall in the world. It is the tallest waterfall in Europe.

It comes under the category of horsetail waterfall. The falls flow into the Driva River.

5. Yumbilla Falls

• Height: 896 metres (2,940 ft)
• Location: Amazonas, Peru

Yumbilla Falls is the 5th tallest waterfall in the world. After the recent discovery conducted by the Geographical Institute of Peru (IGN) in 2007, it became known internationally.

The height of the falls was measured using laser instruments. It is considered a tiered type waterfall as it constitutes four or five drops.

4. Olo’upena Falls

• Height: 900 metres (2,953 ft)
• Location: Molokai, Hawaii, United States

Olo’upena Falls is the 4th tallest waterfall in the world. It is the highest waterfall in the United States. Oloupena Falls is located in the Molokai Islands, the northeastern part of the Hawaiian Islands.

It is also a tiered type waterfall.

3. Tres Hermanas Falls

• Height: 914 metres (2,999 ft)
• Location: Otishi National Park, Junin, Peru

Tres Hermanas Falls is the third highest waterfall in the world. In Spanish, Tres Hermanas means “three sisters”.

You can find the falls in the Otishi National Park, near the Cutivireni river. Tres Harmanas is another tiered waterfall, with three drops. The montane forest surrounds the waterfall.

2. Tugela Falls

• Height: 948 metres (3,110 ft)
• Location: KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Tugela Falls is the second-highest waterfall in the world. It is located in the Drakensberg (Dragon’s Mountains).

You can find the waterfall in Royal Natal National Park, in South Africa.

In 2016, a Czech scientific expedition took new measurements of this fall. It came out that the height of the fall is actually 983 m. They sent the data to the World Waterfall Database for confirmation. After the confirmation, it will become the world’s highest waterfall in no time!

Now, let’s see who is sitting in the number one position in our top 10 list.

You can read about Africa’s 50 Largest National Parks here.

You can read about The Big Seven Animals of South Africa here.

1. Angel Falls

• Height: 979 metres (3,212 ft)
• Location: Canaima National Park, Bolivar, Venezuela

Angel Falls is the highest waterfall on the planet. Its height is 979 meters. Close to 1 kilometers!!!

Angel Falls is Venezuela’s top tourist attraction. You’ve to make a very tough choice while planning to visit the falls. No matter what, it’s a one-time thing in life. You have to visit this site if you are a lover of waterfalls. It is located in a lonely jungle like a hidden paradise! Waiting for your eyes to unravel its hidden beauty. Drink it with your eyes, feel it with your heart!

Don’t forget to drop a comment if you have already visited the Angel Falls.

Do you know, Which Country Has The Most National Parks? Click the link for more details.

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Need some Safari Inspiration for your next Honeymoon? You can read about Romantic Honeymoon Safaris here.

Frequently asked questions about “world’s highest waterfalls”

Which is the largest waterfalls in the world?

Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world. Don’t confuse it with Angel Falls in Venezuela. It is the tallest waterfall in the world, not the largest one.

Is Victoria Falls the highest waterfall in the world?

Victoria Falls is not the highest waterfall in the world. It is the largest waterfall on the planet. However, Angel Falls holds the tag of the world’s highest waterfall on Earth.

Where is the world second highest waterfall?

Tugela Falls is the second-highest waterfall in the world and it is situated in Royal Natal National Park in South Africa. The height of the waterfall is 948 meters.

Which is the smallest waterfall in the world?

It is hard to tell the name of the smallest waterfall in the world. However, several waterfalls in the world show a little elevation from the ground.

And that’s our take on the world’s highest waterfalls. Have you visited any of these stunning water features? Let us know in the comments section below!