The Lake Whose Water Disappears: Mystery of Lake Fundudzi in South Africa Debunked

Lake Fundudzi captivates with its enigmatic allure, shrouded in legends, rituals – and a story circulated on the internet that we prove to be untrue.

We have already written about many interesting lakes, including pink ones, one full of skeletons, and one with an underwater forest, and the one we will look at today is nothing short of baffling either.

Nestled in the heart of South Africa’s Limpopo Province lies Lake Fundudzi, a body of water as enigmatic as it is beautiful. Surrounded by the lush, mountainous terrain of the Soutpansberg Mountains, it is the only known true inland lake in South Africa and was created by a landslide occurring in these mountains a long time ago.

Lake Fundudzi is encircled by the mythical Thathe Vondo forest, which is believed to be so full of spirits, that the Venda hardly enter it for fear of hauntings and the legendary lightning bird, Ndadzi. The origins of the lake itself are also steeped in legend. The landslide creating it is said to have been triggered by a curse on a kraal (typical local village with thatched-roof huts) that refused hospitality to a leper, blocking the course of the Mutale River. The resulting body of water engulfed the kraal, and it is believed that the cries of the drowned and their cattle can still be heard at times. Adding to its mystique, Lake Fundudzi is said to be guarded by a python god residing in the surrounding hills. His mood is reflected in the water’s level and color, which rise and fall independently of rainfall.

The requirement for newcomers to perform a ritual, turning their backs to the lake and viewing the water between their legs, may stem from the curse and surrounding legends. This practice, from which the lake derives its name, involves a greeting in Venda, albeit one deemed somewhat inappropriate by travelers who’ve experienced the ritual. Following this greeting, participants are instructed to spit on the ground and toss a small stone through their legs toward the lake behind them.

But there’s more to Lake Fundudzi than myth. The lake has puzzled scientists with its seemingly inexplicable behavior—nearly a hundred streams and three rivers flow into into this lake, adding millions of liters of water per hour. But despite the fact that the lake has no obvious outlet, the water never seems to flow out. But then, where does all that water go? Also, according to some sources, the water indeed seems to rise and fall independently of rainfall, much akin to low tide and how tide, even though the lake is not connected to the ocean.

There is a modern legend we found on the internet (we suspect it was conceived in ChatGPT’s mind, mindlessly published on a website, and then equally mindlessly taken over by other websites), according to which a certain Professor Henry Burnside and his assistant took samples from the lake in 1955 to find the answer to these questions. According to this totally unverified story, the water disappeared from the collecting vessels overnight, and after Burnside sampled the water by dipping his finger into it and tasting it, he died a week later.

These sources also provide a “scientific” explanation: that this sequence of events was due to high chromium levels in the water resulting from earlier mining activities. According to this “explanation”, at temperatures below 19 degrees Celsius, chromium particles in the water crystallize, causing the liquid to solidify and disperse along container bottoms and walls—hence why water taken from Lake Fundudzi ‘disappears.’

Well, we found absolutely no evidence that the lake has high chromium levels or that chromium was ever mined in the region. And even if there was, not even high concentrations of chromium dissolved in water would cause the water itself to vanish. While chromium can form crystals under specific conditions, it definitely wouldn’t crystallize all the water in a glass overnight. The remaining liquid would still be visible.

Also, even if Lake Fundudzi’s water was unsafe to drink due to its high chromium content, there wouldn’t be instantaneous death from taking a sip. Chromium poisoning has symptoms that develop over time.

But in reality, there seems to be no chromium involved at all. In fact, Lake Fundudzi was declared a National Heritage Site in 2013, according to Beautiful News, and is guarded by local communities, who shield it from human encroachment and retain its natural state. You actually have to ask for permission from the chief of one of the nearby villages if you want to venture near the water’s edge.

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So no, the lake’s water doesn’t disappear due to its high chromium levels and it didn’t kill Professor Burnside either, if there ever was one. Instead, the answer to this apparent paradox might lie underground. According to a paper by Sibonakaliso Chiliza presented at the World Landslide Forum, the quartzitic sandstone rocks of the Soutpansberg group, where the lake is located, are “severely faulted by faults of various ages,” which also played a role in the landslide that created the lake.

Now, faults can act like giant drains. If the fault creates a pathway with enough space and a downward angle, water can flow through the cracks and into deeper rock layers. This can significantly reduce the amount of water on the surface, making it seem like it disappeared.

So, our best guess is that it is these faults that make the water of Lake Fundudzi “vanish.” Period. Mystery solved, as far as we are concerned.

Oh, a word of caution to conclude this post with: should you ever decide to see this “mysterious” lake for yourself, please note that it’s highly recommended to explore Lake Fundudzi with a knowledgeable local guide. They can offer invaluable insights into Venda culture, regaling you with traditional tales that animate the lake’s legends. Additionally, they’ll ensure your safety not only from the perils hinted at by these legends but also from the sizable crocodile population inhabiting the waters. While locals seem undeterred by the crocs and often swim here, it remains uncertain whether strangers would likewise be safeguarded by the protective local spirits. And, of course, your guide will demonstrate the proper way to greet the sacred waters of the lake.