Guidebook
Lonely Planet South Africa, Lesotho & Eswatini
James Bainbridge et al. · 2022
Covers the Drakensberg, Augrabies, KZN Midlands, Panorama Route falls and Lesotho's Semonkong for Maletsunyane in one book.
Lesotho · Southern Africa
Maletsunyane Falls
Semonkong Falls
A single vertical drop off a basalt cliff near the mountain village of Semonkong holds the Guinness record for the world's longest single-drop commercial abseil. In winter the plunge pool mist freezes onto the rock face, encasing the gorge in ice.
Longest single-drop abseil (204m) in the world Essentials guide
Checked September 2026 by David Bussell
Maletsunyane Falls drops 192 metres (630 ft) on the Maletsunyane. It is a plunge-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Semonkong, with MSU the closest airport. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate.
As a plunge waterfall, water leaves the rock entirely and falls free through the air.
What you can do here
Planning one of these? Check your travel insurance covers adventure activities — SafetyWing is one option.
Also good forCampingHikingPhotography
When to go
Summer rains (Nov-Mar) bring full flow; winter can freeze the spray into ice formations.
Entry: Lodge/village access fee, small
Getting there
- Base town Semonkong
- Airport MSU
- Country Lesotho
- Region Southern Africa, Africa
- Access Moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
How it compares
This waterfall
Maletsunyane Falls
Lesotho
Height192 mWidth—
Most similar
Kalambo Falls
Zambia · Tanzania
Height235 mWidth—
Also a plunge waterfall, of similar height and in Zambia
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
108 m
192 m
235 m
330 m
979 m
Victoria FallsMaletsunyane FallsKalambo FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Angel Falls is 5.1× taller than Maletsunyane Falls. It drops 1.8× further than Victoria Falls (108 m). We don't have a reliable crest width for Maletsunyane Falls yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Videos from Maletsunyane Falls
3:26
25:01
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Books worth packing
On the map
-29.8682, 28.0513
Quick answers
Where is Maletsunyane Falls?
Maletsunyane Falls is in Lesotho (Southern Africa). The nearest base is Semonkong and the closest airport is MSU. Its coordinates are -29.8682, 28.0513.
How tall is Maletsunyane Falls?
Maletsunyane Falls drops 192 metres (630 feet). It is a plunge-type waterfall on the Maletsunyane.
When is the best time to visit Maletsunyane Falls?
Peak flow is January to March and November to December. Summer rains (Nov-Mar) bring full flow; winter can freeze the spray into ice formations.
What can you do at Maletsunyane Falls?
Beyond the viewpoints: abseiling, camping, hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail.
How do you get to Maletsunyane Falls?
The usual base is Semonkong, and the closest airport is MSU. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there. Lodge/village access fee, small.
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