Democratic Republic of the Congo · Zambia · Luapula Province
Mambilima Falls is a series of rapids on the Luapula River on the boundary between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The falls used to be called the Johnstone Falls.
Facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia, compiled September 2026; season and access are our estimate, not a visit report. How we build these pages.
Mambilima Falls drops over a series of steps on the Luapula River. It is a cataract-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Malundu, 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 cataract waterfall, a large, powerful waterfall or series of rapids on a big river.
No commercial adventures run at Mambilima Falls itself — the experience is the approach and the view. Guided day trips from Malundu 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
Livingstone Falls
Democratic Republic of the Congo · Republic of the Congo
Height—Width—
Also a cataract waterfall and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo too
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 Mambilima 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.
-10.54417, 28.66083
Mambilima Falls is in Democratic Republic of the Congo / Zambia (Luapula Province). The nearest base is Malundu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its coordinates are -10.5442, 28.6608.
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 Malundu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there.
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