Ruacana Falls- Travel Tips

What to See, How to Plan & Tours

Nestled along the Kunene River in northern Namibia, the Ruacana Falls cascade down a dramatic gorge approximately 120 meters deep and 700 meters wide at peak flow, earning its place among Africa's most expansive waterfalls. The river splits into a network of channels above the falls before plunging into a V-shaped rock shelf, giving rise to the Otjiherero name "Ruacana", roughly translating to "hurrying of the waters". The falls are notably seasonal—heavy flows result from the Angolan monsoon, while most of the year, water is diverted to feed Namibia's largest hydroelectric station deep underground, reducing the visible cascade. Beyond its geological spectacle, Ruacana Falls holds modern relevance for energy production and local development. The nearby Ruacana Hydroelectric Power Station, commissioned in 1978 and expanded in 2012, contributes nearly half of Namibia's electricity capacity, making it both a natural marvel and a crucial component of the nation's energy infrastructure. Visitors driving from Etosha or through the cultural landscapes of Ovambo country follow paved routes—such as the C35 and C46—to reach the site, passing through the modest but historically rich town of Ruacana, which emerged in the 1970s as a support base for the hydro project and later gained formal town status in 2010.