When I was researching the Wonders of the Natural World, I discovered Iguazu (or Iguaçu) Falls, an M shaped array of waterfalls on the border of Argentina and Brazil. These falls truly are spectacular and in order to fully appreciate them I took my first helicopter ride, the only way to travel short distances by air!
Set in verdant rainforest, home to wild cats, monkeys, capybaras and many other mammals, birds and reptiles, the falls are made up of 275 individual cascades. Together the noise is tremendous and thousands of litres of water per hour roar down into river below.
Well-built walkways allow people to trek or amble alongside and over the raging waters giving wonderful views of the falls. There are lookout areas too and I was very impressed on the Argentine side as there was excellent wheelchair access, although some of the walkways were closed due to flooding earlier in the year.
One of the highlights of my two day visit was the speedboat tour along the Iguazu River to the falls themselves. The tour begins with an open top bus ride through the thick forest, then a short steep walk down to the bank of the river.
A waterproof bag is provided to keep possessions dry and, believe you me, it was needed. I was warned I would get wet, but I was soaked through and through, as the boat gets incredibly close to the falling waters and a thick mist, created by the crashing water, encompasses everyone.
I was thoroughly drenched by one heavy wave which bombarded the boat, but none of my fellow travellers escaped a “drowning” and it was gargantuan fun being under the cascades and travelling so close to the Devil’s Throat.
This is an area of the falls that can be seen in all its glory from the Brazilian side and geographically is a horseshoe shaped chasm where most of the water crashes down into the river. More figuratively the Devil’s Throat gets its name from a legend:
A deity fell in love with a beautiful young woman called Naipi, but she was in love with a young man named Taroba. In order to escape the deity Naipi and Taroba set sail along the river, but furious with the eloping couple, the deity created a waterfall sending them to their death, (or more poetically into a never ending fall).
My real highlight at the falls was taking a ten minute helicopter ride from where I was able to see a rainbow across the Devil’s Throat and the vast rainforest beyond. I could also see the entire falls and I understood why Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Poor Niagara” when she saw them.
I had to agree. I have been to Niagara Falls and, although fabulous, the Iguazu Falls are breath-taking. I hope the photographs speak for themselves as I cannot do their spectacular beauty justice in mere words.
Whilst walking the several kilometres on both sides of the falls I did spot a few capybaras who ignore the tourists as they are more intent on searching for food. A couple of lizards were basking in the sunshine and birds circled overhead. Unfortunately I did not spot any big cats but they are probably hiding in the thick foliage disdainfully smirking at crazy tourists becoming saturated in the river boat or staring at the turbulent waters from the walkways.
When in Argentina or Brazil the Iguazu Falls are a must see and I must thank my guide Alex who showed me and my fellow travellers around. Thanks to them too for some of the photographs, especially those on the boat as they risked getting their valuable equipment wet.
Now all I need to ask myself is: where and when will I take my next helicopter ride?
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I love visiting National Parks so please click on the links to learn more about places I have visited and would recommend.
I was fortunate enough to visit two National Parks in Sri Lanka where I saw crocodiles, elephants, a leopard and many other animals.
In Ireland I saw bears and wolves in Wild Ireland located in Country Donegal
And in County Cork I visited Fota Wildlife Park where the staff has had great success in breeding cheetahs.
Finally, I loved my tour of South America and you can read more about the countries and places I visited by clicking on the links below. Thank you.