Draft:Devils Pool (Victoria Falls)

Devil's Pool is a natural infinity pool located at the edge of Victoria Falls, one of the largest and most famous waterfalls in the world. The pool is situated on Livingstone Island on the Zambian side of the falls, where the Zambezi River flows over the cliff into the gorge below (Zambia tourism). Devil's Pool was formed over thousands of years of erosion as the Zambezi river's current gradually hollowed out a natural rock pool near the precipice of the falls.

Devil's Pool from the edge.

It is one of the most extreme natural attractions at the falls, offering visitors the unique experience of swimming in a pool perched at the brink of one of the largest waterfalls in the world.

History of Victoria Falls

Victoria falls are renowned for their sheer size, spanning approximately 1,708 meters (5,604 feet) in width and plunging 108 meters (354 feet) at their highest point (Maufe,1936). Although Victoria Falls has been known to indigenous African peoples for centuries, it was first introduced to the Western world by Scottish explorer and missionary David Livingstone in 1855 (Molyneux, 1905) . Livingstone is credited with giving the falls its current name, in honor of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. He famously remarked that the falls were "the most wonderful sight I had witnessed in Africa."Before this, local people referred to the falls as Mosi-oa-Tunya, a name that reflects the spray and thunderous roar of the water in Lozi and Kokolo- the local language spoken in the region.

Although local indigenous people were aware of the pool for centuries, its global recognition as a tourist attraction is a more recent development. The Tonga people, one of the indigenous groups in the area, had long known about the geological features at the falls, including the pools formed by erosion (McGregor, 2003). However, Devil's Pool was not widely popularized until the late 20th century when the tourism industry around Victoria Falls began to expand significantly.

Safety

Visiting Devil's Pool comes with inherent risks due to its location at the edge of Victoria Falls. However, strict safety measures are enforced by licensed tour operators to minimize these risks. The pool is only accessible during the dry season, typically between August and January, when the water levels in the Zambezi River are low enough to make the current manageable and expose the rock ledge that prevents swimmers from being swept over the edge (Safari Bookings).

Guided Tours

Access to Devil's Pool is only permitted through guided tours. These tours are led by experienced local guides who are familiar with the conditions of the Zambezi River and the falls. Visitors are required to wear appropriate footwear for walking over the rocky terrain and must follow the guides' instructions closely to ensure their safety. The tours also limit the number of visitors at any given time to avoid overcrowding and to provide individual attention during the swimming experience.

Seasonal Risks

Swimming in Devil's Pool is only considered safe during the dry season when water levels are low. During the wet season (February to July), the Zambezi River experiences much higher water levels and stronger currents, making the pool inaccessible and highly dangerous. Even during the dry season, weather conditions and river currents are closely monitored, and tours may be canceled if conditions are deemed unsafe.

Incidents and Fatalities

Despite the precautions taken, there have been incidents at Devil's Pool. One of the most well-known tragedies occurred in 2009 when a guide lost his life while trying to save a tourist. Although rare, these incidents have highlighted the potential dangers of swimming so close to the edge of the falls. In response, tour operators have implemented even stricter safety protocols, including enhanced guide training and the careful monitoring of each visitor during their time in the pool.

Tourism

Devil's Pool is regarded as one of the most notable tourist attractions at Victoria Falls, attracting visitors from across the globe. Its position on the Zambian side of the falls, coupled with the unique opportunity to swim at the very edge of one of the world's largest waterfalls has established it as a significant draw for tourists seeking both adventure and natural beauty.

To reach Devil's Pool, visitors must first travel to Livingstone Island by boat, a short ride on the Zambezi River, where they can enjoy the wildlife along the ride, from the Zambian side of Victoria Falls. The cost for visiting varies, it is typically ranging between $100 and $130 per person, depending on the season you visit. The experience generally includes guided tours through the whole day, followed by swimming in the pool, a meal like breakfast, lunch and or tea. In addition to swimming in the pool, visitors can enjoy views of Victoria Falls from Livingstone Island. What attracts tourists even more is that when they go to Devil's Pool they are territory protected by UNESCO World Heritage Site, which highlights Victoria's Falls specialty.  More than one million people visit it every year as it is one also one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

Victoria Falls from a helicopter.

Climate Change

Victoria Falls and the surrounding region, including Devil's Pool, are increasingly affected by the impacts of climate change. Shifts in weather patterns and rising temperatures have begun to alter the flow and water levels of the Zambezi River, which directly influences the accessibility and safety of Devil's Pool (Jared, 2023). The changing climate has resulted in varying rainfall patterns in Zambia, leading to fluctuating water levels in the Zambezi River. As a result, Devil's Pool is not accessible year-round, with its availability heavily dependent on seasonal water levels. These fluctuations are largely driven by climate change, which has made it difficult to predict when the pool will be safe for visitors.

Over the past 25 years, Zambia has faced increasing challenges related to water loss and drought.Unpredictable weather patterns have, at times, rendered Devil's Pool either too dangerous or entirely inaccessible for swimmers. Prolonged droughts and erratic rainfall have impacted the Zambezi River, with water levels sometimes dropping to critically low levels. In 2019, the river experienced a dramatic decline, with water levels dropping by as much as 50%. These environmental changes have had far-reaching consequences for tourism. As access to Devil's Pool becomes more uncertain, there is growing concern about the potential long-term impacts on the local economy, which relies heavily on tourism. There are fears that, if current trends continue, Devil's Pool may eventually dry up entirely, further exacerbating the economic challenges faced by the region.