Rivers of Africa
Like the veins that run through the human body carrying blood and oxygen, the rivers of Africa are the veins of the continent.
Millions of people rely on these rivers for fresh water, food and transport. In this article we’re going to dive into ten African rivers, with 5 lesser known facts on each of them.
1. The Nile
Let’s start with the basics. We know that the river is over 6000 km long and it links a bunch of countries Egypt, Zaire, Tanzanian, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Kenya. You’re also probably aware that it’s the longest river in the world, also a great reason to start with the Nile.
Another well documented tale of the Nile involves a tiny baby, placed in a basket to escape persecution. The baby was Moses, of course, and to escape certain death after the Pharaoh ordered the execution of all male Hebrew babies.
But let’s look at 5 lesser known facts.
Did you know?
- Pasquale Scaturro was the first explorer to travel the length of the river, taking 114 days to complete, in 2004
- Most of the water carried by the Nile originates from Ethiopia
- Approximately 160 million people depend on the Nile river
- The Nile is a popular white water rafting destination
- We don’t know for certain where the origin of the Nile is
2. The Okavango
Think of the Okavango and you think of David Livingstone, the Scottish explorer who reached the delta in 1849. The first documented European known to have successfully made the journey along the river, much has been written about him and his explorations.
The origin of the Okavango is Angola and known as the Rio Cubango and from there flows through Angola, Namibia and Botswana. Unlike other African rivers, the Okavango does not flow into the sea. Instead it broadens and forms a delta, spreading some 2,023,590 ha over Botswana.
But let’s look at 5 lesser known facts.
Did you know?
- The Okavango serves as a border between Angola and Namibia
- You’ll find over 400 species of birds on the Okavango
- Geologists believe that the Okavango, the upper Zambezi and Limpopo river were all joined around 2 million years ago
- Diving with Okavango river crocodiles, is a thing
- The Okavango is also known as the river of life
3. The Congo river
Perhaps one of Africa’s most mysterious and fascinating rivers. We know it’s the 2nd largest, next to the Nile and we also know that it flows through the 2nd largest rainforest in the world. The mystery of this river has drawn European explorers to its banks for 100’s of years, looking to document their explorations through Africa.
Diogo Cão, the Portuguese explorer entered the Congo estuary in 1482 and claimed the territory for his King. It’s fair to say that the history that followed this region along the banks of the river is nothing short of horrific. It’s therefore not without irony that the Congo river and basin is believed to be crucial to ecological health of the African continent.
But let’s look at 5 lesser known facts.
Did you know?
- The equivalent of 13 Olympic-sized swimming pools water flow into the Atlantic Ocean every second
- The freshwater fish diversity is immense with at least 686 known species
- The Congo crosses the equator twice
- Home to the “Gates of Hell,” a 75-mile long canyon of rapids
- The Congo basin has been home to people for over 50,000 years
4. The Zambezi
The mighty Zambezi river is one of Africa’s most celebrated rivers winding its way through 6 different countries before it ends in the Indian Ocean. Scores of explorers and tourists flock to the river year on year to soak in its pristine waters, the chance to see wildlife and for the adrenalin junkies, do white water rafting.
The pièce de résistance, is of course the Victorian Falls. At the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia the Zambezi meets a 100m vertical chasm creating what the locals refer to as “the smoke that thunders”. A truly magical sight to behold.
It was November 1855 when Dr Livingstone, yes the same Scotsman from the mill town of Blantyre, that first recorded the sight and named the falls after Queen Victoria.
But let’s look at 5 lesser known facts.
Did you know?
- Archeological sites confirm people have occupied this land for 3million years
- Bull sharks which normally live in coastal waters have been known to swim far up the river
- Victoria falls is a very popular wedding destination
- The spray from the falls can be seen up to 48 km (30 mi) away
- Nyami Nyami is the guardian and God of the Zambezi River Valley
5. The Luangwa river
The Luangwa river is one of the major tributaries of the Zambezi and so appropriate to follow with. It rises in north-east Zambia at an elevation of around 1500 m, near the border with Tanzania and Malawi, and flows in a southwesterly direction. Roughly 150 km from its source it drops to an elevation of about 690 m.
Located in the Luangwa valley and often referred to as the real Africa where herds of antelope can be seen sheltering under thorn trees, or roaming the plains and predators skulking in the shadows.
But let’s look at 5 lesser known facts.
Did you know?
- Most of the economic activity in this region depends on the river
- Game protection in the area began in the late 19th century
- The Luangwa is home to over 1000 hippopotami
- Bird watcher? The Luangwa is a breeding ground for Carmine Bee-eaters
- You’ll find hot springs in several areas of the valley
6. The Tugela River
Tugela in Zulu, Thukela, meaning “something that startles” is the main river in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. This modest little river eventually finds its way to the Drakensberg where it leaps over the edge of a cliff. At 948 m it’s long been thought to be the tallest waterfall on earth, but this is still open for debate. Angel Falls, Venezuela at 979 m stakes its claim as the tallest.
But let’s look at 5 lesser known facts.
Did you know?
- The Tugela is 502 km long
- The Orange and Vaal Rivers are tributaries
- You’re likely to find Nile crocodiles in the Tugela
- The Tugela is a super popular fly fishing spot
- The river flows into the Indian Ocean
7. Niger River
Wearing the title as one of the most dangerous rivers in the world, and not for nothing. In 2010 it wiped out 30,000 animals and thousands of people when its banks burst. The Niger river is in West Africa and considered the principal river in the region spanning over 4,000 km.
With its source in Guinea, the Niger runs through Niger, Mali, Benin and Nigeria before widening to a large delta.
Let’s look at 5 lesser known facts.
Did you know?
- The boomerang shape has baffled geographers for two centuries
- The Niger bend, is an important area because it is the major source of water in that part of the Sahara desert
- The Niger delta is also referred to as the oil rivers
- The name Niger was first published in Italy by Leo Africanus in 1550
- The first successful European expedition to plot a map of the river was in 1796 by the Scottish explorer Mungo Park
8. The Chambeshi River
In the Northern mountains of Zambia, a small stream begins that will eventually become the Chambeshi. The fact that it stretches over 4,700 kms and through 10 African countries is impressive. The Cambeshi is the most remote head stream of the Congo river, which is also its source.
But let’s look at 5 lesser known facts.
Did you know?
- The Chambeshi is one of the deepest rivers in the world, with sections reaching 720 feet
- The Chambeshi basin catchment is roughly 44,400 square meters
- One of the world’s great wetland systems, Bangweulu and it’s main source is the Chambeshi
- The floodplains of the Chambeshi is used for growing large quantities of rice
- Fishing is the main source of economic activity of the Chambeshi
9. The Orange river
Certainly one of the better known rivers in Southern Africa, the Orange river is a very popular destination for adventure seekers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. Another key reason why this river is so important to South Africa is the irrigation and hydroelectric power it provides.
Let’s look at 5 lesser known facts.
Did you know?
- The first diamond discovered in South Africa was discovered on the banks of the Orange River by 15-year-old boy, Erasmus Jacobs
- There are no large or dangerous animals on the Orange river
- The hottest temperature recorded on the Orange river is 47.8º C in 1939
- The Orange river is home to 189 bird species
- The river is over 2000 kms long
10. The Kasai River
The Kasai starts in Angola and stretches 1,800 km before flowing into river Congo. The history of this river is not an entirely happy one. Slave traders used the Kasai to navigate the equatorial rain forests, transporting captured slaves back to the Atlantic Ocean, where their ships would await.
Thankfully this history does not define the Kasai. Here are some interesting facts about the river and the environment it flows through.
Let’s look at 5 lesser known facts.
Did you know?
- The Kasai has rich deposits of alluvial diamonds
- The river attains widths of up to 4 km for stretches of up to 700 km
- Rich in fish with over 200 known species
- Very rich in frogs, with about 60 species
- The Kasai river and Mai-Ndombe river cross each other, but never mix
There you have it. A selection of 10 awesome rivers in Africa, some you’ll no doubt have read about before and even had the privilege of experiencing, be it white water rafting or gently kayaking to your overnight camp site.
Rich in history, wildlife and culture, each river has its own unique story to tell. So start planning that next experience of a lifetime today on a river in Africa.
