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 · Kongo Central
Yellala Falls
The Yellala Falls are a series of waterfalls and rapids on the Congo River just upstream from Matadi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The falls are the lowest of a long series of rapids that render the river unnavigable, forcing colonial explorers to travel by foot as far as the Stanley Pool 350 kilometres upstream.
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.
Yellala Falls drops over a series of steps on the Congo River. It is a cataract-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Kongo Central, 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.
What you can do here
A walk-in-and-look waterfall
No commercial adventures run at Yellala Falls itself — the experience is the approach and the view. Guided day trips from Kongo Central are the easiest way to combine it with the area around it.
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 Kongo Central, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Country Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Region Kongo Central, Central Africa, Africa
- Access Moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
How it compares
This waterfall
Yellala Falls
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Height—Width—
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
108 m
330 m
979 m
Victoria FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
We don't have a reliable crest width for Yellala Falls yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Books worth packing
On the map
-5.72565, 13.54408
Quick answers
Where is Yellala Falls?
Yellala Falls is in Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kongo Central). The nearest base is Kongo Central, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its coordinates are -5.7256, 13.5441.
When is the best time to visit Yellala Falls?
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 Yellala 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 Yellala Falls?
The usual base is Kongo Central, Democratic Republic of the Congo. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there.
Nearby
Closest to Yellala Falls
Inga Falls
Democratic Republic of the Congo · 96 m · 20 km away
Inga Falls is a rapid 40 kilometres from Matadi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where the Congo River…
Livingstone Falls
Democratic Republic of the Congo · Republic of the Congo · 150 km away
World's most powerful river rapids by discharge
Petites Chutes de la Lukaya
Democratic Republic of the Congo · 1 m · 240 km away
The Petites Chutes de la Lukaya is a set of small waterfalls on the Lukaya River. They are just south of…
Swimming
Kalandula Falls
Angola · 105 m · 460 km away
One of Africa's largest waterfalls by volume