Kaieteur Falls Is The World’s Largest Single Drop Waterfall By Volume!

Gushing down a mountain so high, you can hear the roar of the water from a distance. You can even feel a few sprinkles and as you sniff the air its fresh and clean aroma makes the long trail worth it. As you draw closer your eyes finally captures it, you see it in all its glory – the mighty Kaieteur Falls. Finally, you realize why everyone has been speaking about this beautiful falls, it is a sight to behold, you gaze at it and take in the moment that will stay with you for a lifetime.

History of Kaieteur Falls

In the 1870’s, the falls was discovered by Europeans. A party was led by Charles Barrington Brown who was a British geologist appointed as a government surveyor to the colony of British Guiana [Now Guyana].

In 1867, Brown and his partner James Sawkins had arrived in Georgetown. While they did some of their mapping and preparation of geological reports together, some work was performed in separate expeditions, and Sawkins was taking a break from his work at the time of Brown’s discovery of Kaieteur. At this point, Brown did not have time to investigate Kaieteur Falls closer, so he returned one year later to make comprehensive measurements.

In 1876, Brown’s book Canoe and Camp life in British Guiana was published and in 1878, he published Fifteen Thousand Miles on the Amazon and its tributaries.

Where Did The Name Kaieteur Come From?

• According to a Patamona Indian legend, Kaieteur Falls was named for Kai, a chief, or Toshao who acted to save his people by paddling over the falls in an act of self-sacrifice to Makonaima, the great spirit.
• Another legend though was told to Brown by Amerindians in the night of discovery of falls: Kaieteur has been named after an unpleasant old man who was placed in a boat and shoved in the fall by his relatives. Thus the fall was named “Kaieteur”, which means “old-man-fall”.

Fun Facts About Kaieteur Falls

• Single Drop Waterfall: Kaieteur Falls is about four times higher than Niagara Falls, on the border between Canada and the United States, and about twice the height of Victoria Falls, on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe in Africa. It is a single drop waterfall.
• Location: Kaieteur Falls is located on the Potaro River in the Kaieteur National Park and it sits in a section of the Amazon rainforest included in the Potaro-Siparuni region of Guyana.
• Height: It is 226 metres (741 ft) high when measured from its plunge over a sandstone and conglomerate cliff to the first break. It then flows over a series of steep cascades that, when included in the measurements, bring the total height to 251 metres (822 ft).
• Flow Rate & Power: While many falls have greater height, few have the combination of height and water volume, and Kaieteur is among the most powerful waterfalls in the world with an average flow rate of 663 cubic metres per second (23,400 cubic feet per second).

Tour to the Kaieteur Falls

Travelers generally visit the falls in small groups and therefore the area is never crowded. This allows tourist to marvel at the rugged landscape and relish the feeling of deep isolation. There is a special airstrip (Kaieteur Airstrip) which is only a 15 minute walk from the top of Kaieteur Falls. Flights to the airstrip run at regular intervals from two airports in Georgetown: Eugene F. Correira International Airport (formerly known as Ogle International Airport) and Cheddi Jagan International Airport. Flights from the Georgetown airports to the falls are only 45 minutes to an hour. So with this time along with spending a few hours at the falls, the full return trip can easily be completed in a day.

Tip: Be careful at quieter times of the year since trips can be cancelled if the minimum number of people have not reserved.

Trip Schedule: Air Services Limited (ASL)

Contact Information:

• (592) 222-1234
• (592) 222-4337
• (592) 222-2536
• (592) 222-4368
• [email protected]

Did You Know?

At some times of the year there can be fog which could obscure your view so it is good to check the weather forecast and set your trip at a date where you will have good visibility.

Watch This

Kaieteur Falls In Guyana

When visiting this majestic falls be sure to walk with comfortable shoes, a hat, cool clothes, a raincoat (just in case), bug spray, your camera, sun screen and your favorite snacks and beverages. It will be a sight and you will have a feeling that will remain with you for a long time. The history is amazing as well as the height and flow rate of this powerful single drop waterfall. Taking a trip to visit this magnificent falls has been an unforgettable experience for many, they talk about it on and on with their family and friends. Truly, the world’s largest single drop waterfall by volume – Kaieteur Falls – is definitely a sight to behold!

Article References:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaieteur_Falls
• https://www.aslgy.com/tours/kaieteur
• https://www.beautifulworld.com/south-america/guyana/kaieteur-falls/