Kaieteur Falls In The Amazon Rainforest Is The Largest Single-Drop Waterfall In The World

Mother nature has often left us mesmerized with breathtaking sights, and the view of Guyana’s Kaieteur Falls stands as an outstanding example. With a height of about 226 metres from its plunge, it is the world’s largest single-drop waterfall. It is about four times higher than the renowned Niagara Falls and two times as high as the Victoria Falls. The view of this mighty waterfall will definitely lift up your spirits and take your senses on a blissful ride.

An Abode Of Serenity

Tucked away in the lush greenery of the sprawling Amazon rainforest, the Kaieteur Falls is located on the Potaro River of the Kaieteur National Park. It is one of the most powerful rapids in the world, in terms of both volume and height. According to the Patamona Indian legend, the waterfall has derived its name from Kai, a chief, or Toshao who rowed over the falls to rescue people as an act of self-sacrifice to the great spirit, Makonaima. Another belief drawn from the Amerindians holds that Kaieteur is another word for ‘old-man-fall’ and it has been named after a bothersome old man who was put in a boat and left in the fall by his kins. 

Discover It In Books and Movies

The charismatic aura of the place has turned it into a remarkable shooting spot, and directors have picked it up for documentaries, T.V. series, science fictions and loads more. It has been spotted in famous documentaries, like Werner Herzog’s The White Diamond and Jeremy Wade’s River Monsters. Talking about television series, episode 6 of Life on Earth and episode 1 of Deadly Adventures have featured the marvellous fall. Kaieteur has also appeared in the opening credits of the fourth season of Gold Rush on Discovery Channel. 

What’s more, you will even find the waterfall’s references in Charles Barrington Brown’s books Canoe and Camp Life in British Guiana and Fifteen Thousand Miles on the Amazon and Its tributaries.

So, while you’re cocooning at home, take a breather from your work woes and feast your eyes on the phenomenal Kaieteur.