Waterfalls in NamibiaNamibia

Namibia is mostly desert, and both of its waterfalls on this site are on the Kunene, the river that forms the country's north-western border with Angola and carries rain from the Angolan highlands. Epupa Falls, in the remote Kunene Region, is not one drop but a series of channels and cascades spread across about 1.5 kilometres, the largest falling some 37 metres into a gorge lined with baobabs and makalani palms; Himba communities live in the surrounding hills. Ruacana Falls, upstream to the east on the Omusati Region border, is far taller at about 120 metres and up to 700 metres wide in full flood, but the river is held back upstream and diverted through Namibia's Ruacana hydroelectric station, so the falls run properly only in wet years.

When to go

The Kunene is fed by summer rain in Angola, so both falls carry most water from about February to May, peaking around March and April; this is also when Ruacana is most likely to flow at all, and even then mainly in good rain years. From June to October the dry season makes the long gravel roads easier and cooler to drive, and Epupa keeps running, thinner, all year.

Getting around

Both falls are a long self-drive north from Windhoek, usually spread over two or more days. Ruacana is reached on tarred roads via Oshakati, and the town has fuel and supplies. Epupa lies about 180 kilometres north of Opuwo on gravel; a high-clearance vehicle is sensible and a 4x4 advisable after rain. The river track linking the two falls is slow, rough, 4x4-only driving.

Entry requirements

Since April 2025, US, UK, Canadian and EU citizens all need a visa for Namibia, available online in advance as an e-visa or on arrival at main entry points for N$1,600 per adult (about US$98). Applying online before you travel avoids queues on arrival.

Entry rules checked September 2026. They change without much notice — confirm with the official government source before you travel.