Explore the World’s Four Major Waterfalls: Ultimate Travel Guide

Just returned to the lodge from Angel Falls, thinking about the promise I made to a friend to write an introduction and guide for these waterfalls (mainly because I’m hungry but dinner hasn’t started yet, and there’s no internet in the room, so I’m just sitting in the lobby feeding mosquitoes, might as well do something [Disappointed R][Disappointed R][Disappointed R]).

Image 2: Niagara Falls (view from the US side) 2018-07-19
Located at the border of Canada 🇨🇦 and the USA 🇺🇸, I first visited with a tour group when I went to the USA. Because the itinerary was fixed and I didn’t have a Canadian visa at the time, I only viewed it from the US side and the boat (later, when I went to Toronto, I really couldn’t be bothered to go again [Petrified R]).

This is the easiest one to visit among the four, so I won’t elaborate too much. Anyway, the Canadian side is closer to the main falls, and the boat ride is like taking a shower.

Image 3: Victoria Falls (helicopter view) 2023-05-25
Located at the border of Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 and Zambia 🇿🇲, you can fly to Livingstone Airport in Zambia or Victoria Falls Town Airport in Zimbabwe. For land viewing, the Zimbabwe side offers a better perspective, but because the waterfall is shaped like a trench, the mist is extremely heavy, especially during the rainy season in summer, making it impossible to see clearly on the ground, just like taking a shower [Laughing Crying R].

Also, the entrance fee on the Zimbabwe side is $50, while on the Zambian side it’s $30. In comparison, the helicopter ride is only $130+, and I strongly recommend it. PS: If you want to experience Devil’s Pool, remember to go during the dry season in winter. Another PS: Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 has a visa on arrival, and Zambia 🇿🇲 is visa-free, so this can be a spontaneous trip.

Image 4: Iguazu Falls (helicopter view) 2024-07-08
Located at the border of Brazil 🇧🇷 and Argentina 🇦🇷, and very close to Paraguay 🇵🇾. The Brazilian side is farther from the main falls but offers a better view (of course, also like taking a shower). I only saw the Brazilian side and the helicopter view, mainly because Argentina now costs around $400, which is pure robbery.

Transportation: You can fly to Foz do Iguaçu Airport on the Brazilian side, and there’s a corresponding airport on the Argentine side. Additionally, there’s an airport in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay, from where you can enter Brazil by road, which is also very close (of course, this option is almost never chosen).

Similar to Victoria Falls, the best view is from a helicopter, and the price is about the same, around $130, and I recommend trying it.

Image 5: Angel Falls (ground view) 2024-07-12

Angel Falls, the most challenging and expensive destination on this list, is a true test of dedication. A trip, excluding round-trip airfare to Venezuela, can set you back around $12,000. The journey to the ground view is an adventure in itself, involving a scenic but bumpy ride upriver in a traditional wooden boat, followed by a trek through dense jungle.

For those seeking a more luxurious experience, a helicopter ride offers a breathtaking aerial view, though it comes with a hefty price tag of $500 per person. (Stay tuned for more detailed information in my upcoming Venezuela 🇻🇪 travel guide, as I’ve reached the character limit here.)

I also have plans to visit Kaieteur Falls in Guyana 🇬🇾 in the future, and I’ll share a special update when that time comes. [Shy R]