Angel Falls
Angel Falls isn’t your typical waterfall—it’s the tallest in the world and one of Earth’s most breathtaking natural wonders.
But there’s more to this place than meets the eye. From unexpected dangers lurking for tourists to mysterious plane crashes, there’s a darker side hidden deep in the Amazon rainforest.
It’s the Tallest Waterfall in the World
As previously mentioned, Angel Falls is the world’s tallest uninterrupted waterfall. It has a remarkable height of 3,212 feet, and a plunge of 2,648 feet.
It’s height is intimidating, but that’s not exactly what makes it dangerous.
Mr.Angelfish, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Its Destination is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The waterfall is located in Canaima National Park in southeastern Venezuela. The national park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 in recognition of its outstanding natural value.
UNESCO World Heritage Site’s belong to all the peoples of the world, regardless of the territory they’re located in.
Eduardo Fonseca Arraes, Flickr
Angel Falls is Home to an Isolated Tribe
The area around Angel Falls is home to the Pemon tribe, who have called the region home for centuries and consider the waterfall sacred.
Yet, despite their long-standing connection to the falls, it was named after someone else.
HumbRios, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
It Was Named After an Adventurer
Angel Falls was named after James Angel, an American adventurer and pilot who crashed his plane near the waterfall back in 1937. After crashing, he spent 11 days trekking across challenging terrain to survive.
Eventually, someone mentioned the Pemon tribe again.
Yosemite, CC-BY-SA-3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Its Name Was Changed
72 years after the waterfall was named after an American who crashed into it, the Venezuelan President came to his senses and declared that Angel Falls should only be referred to as Kerepakupai Merú out of respect for the Pemon people.
Maira2691, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Its Alternate Names
Although the President declared a new name, the waterfall is still famously known as Angel Falls. However, it also now goes by Salto Ángel and Kerepakupai-merú.
There is No Road Access to the Falls
There’s no road access to Angel Falls, and reaching it by foot can take up to two days. Alternatively, you can opt for a helicopter or boat ride to get there.
Douglas Olivares, Shutterstock
The Most Popular Way to Visit
The most popular way to visit the falls is by plane. And the guided tours are something to consider if you’re craving adventure.
The Guided Tours Require You to Camp in the Wilderness
Guided tours are available for the adventure-seeking tourists.
The experience will include tough hikes through dense rainforests and rivers, and the crew will be required to camp in the wilderness during their trip.
It’s Only 101 Feet Taller than the 2nd Largest Waterfall
Angel Falls stands at a staggering 3,212 feet, just 101 feet taller than the world’s second-tallest waterfall, South Africa’s Tugela Falls (3,110 feet).
And it’s not just tall—it’s ancient, too.
Angel Falls Was Formed More Than 200 million Years Ago
Angel Falls was formed more than 200 million years ago, during the time of the supercontinent. Tectonic activity began to lift the area, which created the Guiana Shield.
The uplift caused large layers of rock to break and form canyons. One of these canyons was Angel Falls.
Luis Carillo, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
There Are Multiple Drops
Angel Falls consists of a series of cascades and drops, with the longest uninterrupted descent measuring about 2,648 feet.
Even with its high plunge, visitors can get fairly close to the waterfall.
Visitors Can Get Up Close and Personal
Angel Falls has several wide lagoons and jacuzzi-like pools situated along the bottom of the waterfall. Visitors can cool off in these pools while feeling the misty spray from the waterfall on their faces.
The force of the waterfall is actually much less powerful than you may think.
The Average Flow is Not as Strong as You May Think
Angel Falls has an average flow of just 3,750 gallons per second—almost 100 times less than the 300,000 gallons that pour over Victoria Falls every second.
Interestingly, the water’s flow can vary depending on the season.
Rafael Estrella, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Angel Falls Has a Tropical Climate
Angel Falls has a tropical climate which brings frequent rainstorms.
The driest time of year is from December to April and the average temperature ranges from 64.76°F at night to 78.08°F during the day.
The dry season is when the water changes, though.
LBM1948, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Angel Falls Dry Season Decreases the Water Flow
During the dry season, the waterfall’s water volume decreases. In some cases, it may even become a mere trickle. Angel Fall’s peak water flow is between May and November.
This greatly affects what grows and lives in the area.
Alfredo Varela Guédez, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Flora and Fauna Are Stunning
The land around Angel Falls is a haven for incredible wildlife, thriving in the dense rainforest.
You’ll find everything from vibrant bromeliads and orchids to giant armadillos, capuchin monkeys, and even elusive jaguars in this lush ecosystem.
Angel Falls in the Amazon Rainforest
Angel Falls is located deep within the Amazon rainforest—which is why its remote location is challenging to get to.
It is also why the wildlife are like no other, and why visitors may spot various indigenous tribespeople during their travels.
Warairarepano&Guaicaipuro, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Over One Million People Visit Each Year
Each year, there are approximately one million people who visit Angel Falls—despite its remote location.
Some of those visitors are looking to do more than take photos though.
Angel Falls Attracts Daredevils
Given its impressive height, there are tons of people who go to Angel Falls to take part in extreme sports.
In 1990, Jean-Marc Boivin became the first man to BASE jump off the highest point of the falls. His celebrations were short lived, though—literally.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/hakonthingstad/, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Jean-Marc Boivin’s Second Attempt Was Fatal
Some people are never satisfied with just one achievement. The day after Jean-Marc Boivin set a world record, he decided to push the limits again—but this time, a mistake would cost him.
Jean-Marc Boivin Hit a Tree
During his second attempt, Jean-Marc Boivin hit a tree on his way down and sadly, succumbed to his injuries.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t the only person to fall to his demise over Angel Falls.
LBM1948, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Many People Have Lost Their Lives at Angel Falls
Nationwide, an estimated 21 people have died during so-called BASE jumps—the acronym for “buildings, antennae, spans and earth”—in the last 20 years.
Aside from jumping, people also like to climb the falls.
People Have Climbed Angel Falls
In 2005, a team of British, Venezuelan and Russian climbers succeeded in free-climbing the 1000m Angel Falls wall.
They were the first to do so. It took them 20 days of extraneous climbing.
tpuyol, CC BY 2.0 , Wikimedia Commons
Angel Falls Is Safe, But Venezuela is a Different Story
Angel Falls is generally considered a safe destination for most tourists, as long as visitors make wise choices.
However, the US State Department has issued a Travel Advisory for the surrounding region.
jonathan de Almeida, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Trouble in Paradise
Venezuela is a stunning nation with immense natural beauty. But safety remains a constant concern, especially for tourists.
Travel warnings regarding muggings, carjackings, imprisonment, and petty theft are among the top concerns.
Paulo Capiotti, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
The 2018 Incident Involving Major League Baseball Players
In 2018, a tragic incident occurred when a few major league baseball players returned to their native Venezuela and became victims of a very horrific crime strategy.
The Perpetrators Put Boulders in the Road
Thieves often use a dangerous tactic of placing large boulders on dark, unlit roads, forcing unsuspecting drivers to stop suddenly in the middle of nowhere.
Tragically, this strategy led to something much worse than theft for a group of baseball players.
Joshua Rainey Photography, Shutterstock
Their Vehicle Crashed
Sadly, the baseball players vehicle crashed into the boulders resulting in their demise.
That is only one specific incident, among many. Unfortunately, Venezuela has a bad reputation when it comes to public safety.
Aside from tourist safety, another notable accident occurred over the Falls.
Schuyler Erle, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
A Fatal Plane Crash
A young family from England were on holiday in Venezuela. They boarded a single-engined Cessna 208 for an internal flight as part of a two-day trip, which included vising Angel Falls.
At the end of the trip, tragedy struck.
The Plane Struggled to Take Off
After visiting the falls, the family headed back to the small airport and boarded their small plane.
Just before take-off, their 6-year-old son, Tom, who had flown countless times before, made a shocking discovery.
Safety Was Lacking
The child had apparently told his mother, “Mummy, there is no safety card” as they the plane was getting ready for take-off.
The mother had then noticed that there were several safety concerns, and that the crew did not speak English.
The Weather Was Bad
Already nervous, the rainfall had suddenly taken a turn and they found themselves in an intense rain storm.
The mother recalls, “As we went down the runway, the plane was swerving from side to side, which made us very uneasy.”
Spotting973, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Pilot Struggled to Gain Control
While her husband was reassuring her son, the mother said the plane “seemed to drop down and we thought the pilot had changed his mind about taking off”.
But then suddenly a surge of power took the plane.
The Plane Went Down
The woman tearfully recalls the moment, saying, "Suddenly, there was a surge of power, and we took off steeply—it felt like being on a white-knuckle ride."
Then, a loud warning signal blared, and in an instant, the plane "dipped to the left and dove into the ground."
Alan Wilson, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Plane Crashed
As the 6-year-old boy “flailed forward” during the crash, he hit his head.
The mother recalled the accident, saying “I could smell aviation fuel and there was our child, grey, lifeless and bleeding. My husband said Tom was badly injured and we had to get him out.”
Transportation Safety Board, Flickr
A Life Was Lost
The little boy was pulled from the wreckage and taken to a nearby medical center. Sadly, the young boy didn’t make it.
He was the only passenger to lose his life that day.
The Dangers of Venezuela
Unfortunately, Venezuela presents serious risks for tourists. Beyond the dangers posed by theft and corruption, the natural environment also presents significant challenges for tour operators.
Numerous incidents have been reported where tourists encountered trouble during their visits to Angel Falls, and travel advisories continue to be in effect.
Jeanpaul Razzouk, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Final Thoughts
Although there is risk involved when traveling to places like Venezuela, there are remarkable natural attractions that some consider are worth the risk—Angel Falls being one of them.
Known for its impressive height, and stunning surroundings, Angel Falls continues to be one those natural world wonders that should top your bucket list.
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