Democratic Republic of the Congo · Zambia · Luapula Province
The Mambatuta Falls is a steep waterfall on the Luapula River, which originates in Lake Bangweulu and flows through Zambia and along the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo into Lake Mweru. The Luapula flows south from Lake Bangweulu as a broad, swampy river a few hundred meters wide.
Facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia, compiled September 2026; season and access are our estimate, not a visit report. How we build these pages.
Mambatuta Falls drops over a series of steps on the Luapula River. It is a plunge-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Democratic Republic of the Congo. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article (CC BY-SA 4.0).
As a plunge waterfall, water leaves the rock entirely and falls free through the air.
No commercial adventures run at Mambatuta Falls itself — the experience is the approach and the view. Guided day trips from Democratic Republic of the Congo are the easiest way to combine it with the area around it.
Also good forHikingPhotography
Rain-season fed: the falls are at their biggest towards the end of the main rains and can shrink dramatically in the dry months.
Most similar
Ekom-Nkam Falls
Cameroon
Height80 mWidth—
Also a plunge waterfall and in Cameroon
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
We don't have a reliable crest width for Mambatuta Falls yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Guidebook
Chris McIntyre, Susie McIntyre · 2023
Detailed Livingstone-side coverage of the Falls: Knife-Edge Bridge, Devil's Pool on Livingstone Island, lodges and seasonal flow.
Guidebook
Chris McIntyre · 2016
The full-country Bradt edition that still covers remote Northern Zambia, including getting to Kalambo Falls near Mbala.
Guidebook
Sean Rorison · 2012
Covers both Congos, including Kinshasa, Brazzaville and the Lower Congo rapids; check current security advice alongside it.
-12.37448, 29.21224
Mambatuta Falls is in Democratic Republic of the Congo / Zambia (Luapula Province). The nearest base is Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its coordinates are -12.3745, 29.2122.
Peak flow is April to May and October to November. Rain-season fed: the falls are at their biggest towards the end of the main rains and can shrink dramatically in the dry months.
Beyond the viewpoints: hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail.
The usual base is Democratic Republic of the Congo. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there.
Nearby
Mumbuluma Falls are a set of waterfalls just outside Mansa, Zambia in the Luapula Province. The waterfalls…
Kundalila Falls is a waterfall on the Kaombe River in Zambia. It falls over the lip of the Muchinga…
Ntumbachushi Falls are situated on the Ngona River in Luapula Province, Zambia where it runs over the edge of…
Lofoi Falls is a waterfall in Kundelungu National Park, Haut-Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of the…