Lumangwe Falls

From Chalo Chatu, Zambia online encyclopedia
Lumangwe falls on the Kalungwishi river during the dry season (September-October)

Lumangwe Falls on the Kalungwishi River in northern Zambia is the second largest waterfalls in Zambia, with a height of 30-40 m and a width of 160 m. The falls is 80 km from Mporokoso on the Kawambwa road. It has a similar depth of water falling over the edge to the Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya) on the Zambezi for which it is frequently mistaken in photographs.

At the river's height at the end of the rainy season in April/May, spray from the waterfall may be carried 100 m into the air and the roaring sound in the gorge below seems to shake the ground.

Lumangwe Falls are reached via a 10 km earth road which turns west from the Kawambwa-Mporokoso gravel road 2.5 km north-east of the Kalungwishi bridge at Chipempe, which replaced the pontoon (Kalungwishi Ferry) in 2004. The falls can be viewed from the bank of the river at the top and from a cliff almost opposite the drop. Paths lead to the foot of the falls and also down the gorge to Kabwelume Falls 6 km downstream which are only slightly lower and narrower but also giving a semi circle spectacular view of falling water.

Coordinates: 9°32′S 29°23′E / 9.533°S 29.383°E / -9.533; 29.383