The World's 12 Highest Waterfalls: Nature's Most Spectacular Drops

2. Tugela Falls (South Africa) – 948 meters (3,110 feet)

Tugela Falls is a series of five dramatic drops cascading down the rugged cliffs of the Amphitheatre, a towering rock formation in South Africa's Drakensberg Mountains. The falls are fed by the Tugela River, which originates high in the Mont-Aux-Sources plateau. Although Angel Falls claims the title of the tallest waterfall, recent studies suggest Tugela’s combined drop may actually rival or surpass it, depending on measurement criteria. The falls change dramatically with the seasons. During the summer rains, they roar with incredible power, while in the dry season, they reduce to a trickle, allowing visitors to explore the cliffs and riverbed. Hikers often tackle the Sentinel Trail to reach the best viewpoints of the falls, a route that provides breathtaking panoramas of the Drakensberg landscape. Beyond its natural beauty, Tugela Falls is part of a region rich in biodiversity, with unique alpine flora and fauna thriving in its surroundings.