Ntumbachushi Falls

The Ng'ona river drops around forty metres at Ntumbachushi in a main fall with a second, smaller set alongside it, into pools that are used for swimming and surrounded by riverine forest. Rock paintings in red occur on an outcrop close by. The site was traditionally used by Lunda chiefs for ritual washing before installation, and the falls carry that association still. It is easy to reach compared with the others in Luapula.

Background

Here the Ng'ona River leaves the northern Zambian plateau, dropping over its rim toward the Luapula River valley. At the main falls the river divides into two channels, giving two parallel falls about 10 m wide each, 50 m apart. A small area of relict rainforest grows in their spray. From November to April the water at the lip can be up to 1 m deep. A steep path on the north side climbs over the rocky cliff and runs 0.5 km to a spot nicknamed the beauty spot, with two pools below a fall about 6 m high. Two shrines near the main falls are used for rituals by traditional leaders and healers.

Source: Wikipedia, "Ntumbachushi Falls"

The landscape

• The main drop - around forty metres into the pool below.
• The second falls - the smaller set alongside the main curtain.
• The pools - the swimming water at the base among the forest.
• The rock paintings - red art on an outcrop close to the falls.

When to go

April to July has the best volume. The flow reduces markedly by the late dry season. Paths are slippery in the rains.

Before you go

Volume drops sharply late in the dry season and the falls can be thin. Facilities are a campsite and a caretaker. Swimming carries the usual bilharzia risk.

Nearby

Lumangwe Falls is north, and Mumbuluma Falls is south.

Key facts