The falls are formed by the Loufoulakari River as it drops over layers of ancient rock. The spray from the water keeps the surrounding plants wonderfully moist, so ferns, mosses and bright flowers grow right up to the edge of the water. In the pools below the falls, visitors can cool off on hot afternoons.
The journey from Brazzaville to the falls passes through rolling hills and small farming villages where people grow cassava, sweet potatoes and bananas. It is a lovely day trip that gives visitors a taste of both the countryside and the capital in a single outing.
Many Congolese families pack a picnic — often including fufu and saka-saka — and spend the whole day at the falls, listening to the rushing water and watching colourful birds dart between the trees. It is the kind of place that reminds people how beautiful the natural world can be.