At Inga Falls the Congo River squeezes through a canyon and drops about 96 metres over a stretch of about 15 kilometres. The water moves with incredible force — far more energy is packed into this one stretch of river than in any similar place on Earth. Engineers say that if the rapids were harnessed for electricity, they could power a very large portion of the entire African continent.
The sound of Inga Falls is extraordinary. From a distance you hear a deep, constant roar like a storm that never stops. Up close, the white water crashes against black volcanic rocks, throwing up clouds of spray that catch the sunlight and create shimmering rainbows.
Because the river moves so violently here, Inga Falls has created its own remarkable wildlife world. Certain fish have evolved specifically to survive in the furious current — some cling to rocks with their mouths while others have extra-powerful tails for swimming against the flow.
Inga Falls reminds us how full of energy our natural world truly is. The water here has been rushing through this canyon for millions of years, long before any human being arrived to marvel at it.