NamibiaChris McIntyre
Guidebook
Namibia
Chris McIntyre · 2019
Practical Kunene coverage for Epupa and Ruacana: 4x4 access, riverside camps, Himba village etiquette and when the falls flow.
Namibia · Angola · Omusati Region
Ruacana Falls
A hydroelectric scheme diverts nearly all of the Kunene River's flow underground, so the spectacular natural cataract only reappears during major floods when the dam spills excess water. When it does run, the entire border cliff turns into a thundering wall.
Namibia's tallest waterfall when in flood Essentials guide
Checked September 2026 by David Bussell
Ruacana Falls drops 120 metres (394 ft) across a face roughly 700 metres wide on the Kunene. It is a block-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Ruacana. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate.
Ruacana Falls is the tallest of the 2 waterfalls we cover in Namibia; number 10 on our list of the widest waterfalls in the world. As a block waterfall, a wide sheet of water falling from a broad river.
What you can do here
A walk-in-and-look waterfall
No commercial adventures run at Ruacana Falls itself — the experience is the approach and the view. Guided day trips from Ruacana are the easiest way to combine it with the area around it.
Also good forHikingPhotography
When to go
Mostly diverted for hydropower; the dam spills in wet years, usually March to May (it did in both 2025 and 2026).
Getting there
- Base town Ruacana
- Country Namibia, Angola
- Region Omusati Region, Southern Africa, Africa
- Access Moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
How it compares
This waterfall
Ruacana Falls
Namibia · Angola
Height120 mWidth700 m
Most similar
Kalandula Falls
Angola
Height105 mWidth400 m
Also a block waterfall, of similar height and in Angola
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
105 m
108 m
120 m
330 m
979 m
Kalandula FallsVictoria FallsRuacana FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Ruacana Falls
700 m
Kalandula Falls
400 m
Angel Falls is 8.2× taller than Ruacana Falls. It is about the same height as Victoria Falls (108 m). Khone Phapheng Falls is 15× wider. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Videos from Ruacana Falls
17:15
2:27
3:35
Chosen from YouTube; videos belong to their creators and play from YouTube's privacy-enhanced player.
Books worth packing
AngolaOscar Scafidi
Guidebook
Angola
Oscar Scafidi · 2019
The only dedicated English guide to Angola, covering the drive from Luanda to Kalandula and the Cunene border region.
On the map
-17.3931, 14.2181
Quick answers
Where is Ruacana Falls?
Ruacana Falls is in Namibia / Angola (Omusati Region). The nearest base is Ruacana. Its coordinates are -17.3931, 14.2181.
How tall is Ruacana Falls?
Ruacana Falls drops 120 metres (394 feet), across a face about 700 metres wide. It is a block-type waterfall on the Kunene.
When is the best time to visit Ruacana Falls?
Peak flow is March to May. Mostly diverted for hydropower; the dam spills in wet years, usually March to May (it did in both 2025 and 2026).
What can you do at Ruacana Falls?
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.
How do you get to Ruacana Falls?
The usual base is Ruacana. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there.
Nearby
Closest to Ruacana Falls
Full guide Epupa Falls
Namibia · Angola · 37 m · 110 km away
Border waterfall shared by Namibia and Angola
Kalandula Falls
Angola · 105 m · 940 km away
One of Africa's largest waterfalls by volume
Full guide Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia · 108 m · 1,230 km away
Largest sheet of falling water on Earth
Bungee jumpingHelicopter flights+6
Yellala Falls
Democratic Republic of the Congo · 1,300 km away
The Yellala Falls are a series of waterfalls and rapids on the Congo River just upstream from Matadi in the…