Guidebook
Congo: Democratic Republic, Republic
Sean Rorison · 2012
Covers both Congos, including Kinshasa, Brazzaville and the Lower Congo rapids; check current security advice alongside it.
Democratic Republic of the Congo · Kinshasa
Petites Chutes de la Lukaya
The Petites Chutes de la Lukaya is a set of small waterfalls on the Lukaya River. They are just south of Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Essentials guide
Facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia, compiled September 2026; season and access are our estimate, not a visit report. How we build these pages.
Petites Chutes de la Lukaya drops 1 metres (3 ft) on the Lukaya River. It is a cascade-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Kimwenza, 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 cascade waterfall, water tumbles down a series of rock steps rather than falling free.
What you can do here
Also good forHikingPhotography
When to go
Rain-season fed: the falls are at their biggest towards the end of the main rains and can shrink dramatically in the dry months.
Getting there
- Base town Kimwenza, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Country Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Region Kinshasa, Central Africa, Africa
- Access Moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
How it compares
This waterfall
Petites Chutes de la Lukaya
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Height1 mWidth—
Most similar
Cascades de Karfiguéla
Burkina Faso
Height—Width—
Also a cascade waterfall and in Burkina Faso
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
1 m
108 m
330 m
979 m
Petites Chutes de la LukayaVictoria FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Angel Falls is 979× taller than Petites Chutes de la Lukaya. Victoria Falls is 108× taller. We don't have a reliable crest width for Petites Chutes de la Lukaya yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Books worth packing
On the map
-4.48571, 15.26708
Quick answers
Where is Petites Chutes de la Lukaya?
Petites Chutes de la Lukaya is in Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa). The nearest base is Kimwenza, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its coordinates are -4.4857, 15.2671.
How tall is Petites Chutes de la Lukaya?
Petites Chutes de la Lukaya drops 1 metres (3 feet). It is a cascade-type waterfall on the Lukaya River.
When is the best time to visit Petites Chutes de la Lukaya?
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.
What can you do at Petites Chutes de la Lukaya?
Beyond the viewpoints: swimming, hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail.
Can you swim at Petites Chutes de la Lukaya?
Yes — swimming is a normal part of a visit to Petites Chutes de la Lukaya, in the pools away from the falling water. Only swim where it is permitted on the day, stay clear of the base of the falls where currents recirculate, and skip it after heavy rain.
How do you get to Petites Chutes de la Lukaya?
The usual base is Kimwenza, Democratic Republic of the Congo. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there.
Nearby
Closest to Petites Chutes de la Lukaya
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