List of rivers of Africa facts for kids

Africa is a huge continent with many important rivers. These rivers are like the lifelines of the land, providing water for people, animals, and plants. They are also used for travel, fishing, and sometimes even making electricity! This article lists some of the main rivers you can find across different parts of Africa.

Southern Africa's Rivers

Southern Africa is home to many rivers that flow through different landscapes, from deserts to lush plains. These rivers are vital for the countries they pass through.

• Cuanza - This river flows through Angola.
• Great Fish River - You can find this river in South Africa.
• Great Kei River - Another important river in South Africa.
  • Black Kei River - A branch of the Great Kei River.
  • White Kei River - Another branch of the Great Kei River.
• Groot River(s) - There are a few rivers named Groot River in South Africa.
  • Groot River (Western Cape)
  • Groot River (Southern Cape)
  • Groot River (Eastern Cape)
  • Sometimes, the Orange River is also called Groot River. The Orange River is a very long river that flows through South Africa, Lesotho, and Namibia.
• Gamtoos River - Located in South Africa.
• Ihosy River - This river is found on the island of Madagascar.
• Jukskei River - A river in South Africa.
• Kafue River - An important river in Zambia.
• Kowie River - Flows through South Africa.
• Kuiseb - This river is in Namibia.
• Kunene - Also known as Cunene, it forms part of the border between Angola and Namibia.
• Kwando - This river flows through Namibia and is also known as Linyanti and Chobe in some areas.
• Limpopo - A major river in Southern Africa, flowing through Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. It's famous for its wildlife.
• Luangwa River - An important river in Zambia.
• Mania River - Located on the island of Madagascar.
• Maputo River - This river flows through South Africa, Eswatini, and Mozambique.
• Molopo - Found in Botswana and South Africa.
• Mooi River (Tugela) - A river in South Africa.
• Mthatha River - Located in South Africa.
• Okavango - This river flows into the famous Okavango Delta in Botswana, a unique wetland. It also passes through Namibia and Angola (where it's called "Cubango").
• Onilahy River - Another river on Madagascar.
• Orange - This is the longest river in South Africa, flowing through South Africa, Lesotho, and Namibia.

• Caledon - A tributary of the Orange River, flowing through South Africa and Lesotho.
• Vaal - Another major tributary of the Orange River in South Africa.
• Fish - A tributary of the Orange River in Namibia.

• Shangani River - Located in Zimbabwe.
• Swakop River - This river is in Namibia.
• Tugela - A significant river in South Africa.
• Umfolozi River - Found in South Africa.

• Black Umfolozi River - A branch of the Umfolozi River.
• White Umfolozi River - Another branch of the Umfolozi River.

• Umgeni River - Located in South Africa.
• Umkomazi River - A river in South Africa.
• Zambezi - The fourth-longest river in Africa, famous for the Victoria Falls. It flows through Angola, Zambia, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique.
• Gairezi - Flows through Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Central Africa's Rivers

Central Africa has some of the largest and most powerful rivers on the continent, including the mighty Congo River.

• Chari - This river flows through the Central African Republic, Chad, and Cameroon.
  • Logone - A tributary of the Chari River, found in the Central African Republic and Cameroon.
• Kagera River - This river is considered a source of the Nile River. It flows through Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.
• Congo - This is the second-longest river in Africa and the deepest river in the world! It flows through Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Republic of the Congo.
  • Ebola River - A tributary of the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  • Kasai - A major tributary of the Congo River, flowing through Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Republic of the Congo.
    • Kwango - A tributary of the Kasai River, found in Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
    • Sankuru - Another tributary of the Kasai River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  • Lualaba - This is the main stream of the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  • Lomami - A tributary of the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  • Ubangi - A large tributary of the Congo River, forming borders between countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic.
  • Lulonga - A tributary of the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
    • Lopori - A tributary of the Lulonga River.
    • Maringa - Another tributary of the Lulonga River.
  • Tshuapa - A tributary of the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Uele - This river is in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Nyabarongo River - Found in Rwanda.
• Rurubu River - Located in Burundi.
• Ruzizi River - This river connects Lake Kivu and Lake Tanganyika, flowing through the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi.
• Mbomou - A river in the Central African Republic.
• Wouri - Located in Cameroon.
• Xufexufe River - This small river is on the island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe.

East Africa's Rivers

East Africa is known for its diverse landscapes, from mountains to savannas, and its rivers support a wide range of ecosystems and communities.

• Tana - This is the longest river in Kenya.
• Athi - Another important river in Kenya.
• Mara - Famous for the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebras, this river flows through Kenya and Tanzania.
• Ewaso - Nyiro-Kenya.
• Sondu - Mirio-Kenya.
• Ruvoma - This river forms part of the border between Tanzania and Mozambique.
• Rufiji - The longest river in Tanzania.
• Ruvu - Another river in Tanzania.
• Shebelle - This river flows through Somalia and Ethiopia.
• Jubba - Also flowing through Somalia and Ethiopia.
• Nile - The longest river in Africa and one of the longest in the world! It flows through many countries including Uganda, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt.
• Sezibwa - A river in Uganda.
• Maputo - This river is also found in Tanzania.

West Africa's Rivers

West Africa features several major rivers that have played a big role in the history and development of the region, including the famous Niger River.

• Aba - A river in Nigeria.
• Bandama River - Located in Ivory Coast.
• Benue - A major tributary of the Niger River in Nigeria.
• Cavalla River - This river forms part of the border of Liberia.
• Ethiope River - Found in Nigeria.
• Gambia - This river flows through The Gambia, Senegal, and Guinea.
• Kolenté (Great Scarcies) - A river flowing through Guinea and Sierra Leone.
• Little Scarcies (Kaba) - Another river in Guinea and Sierra Leone.
• Moa - Flows through Guinea and Sierra Leone.
• Niger - The third-longest river in Africa, it's a vital waterway for countries like Nigeria, Benin, Niger, Mali, and Guinea.
• Oba - A river in Nigeria.
• Ose - Found in Nigeria.
• Osun - An important river in Nigeria.
• Oteghelli - Located in Nigeria.
• Oueme - This river is in Benin.
• Rokel - A river in Sierra Leone.
• Saint Paul - Flows through Liberia.
• Sanaga - A major river in Cameroon.
• Sankarani - Located in Mali.
• Senegal - This river forms a border between Senegal and Mauritania, and also flows through Mali.
• Sewa River - Found in Sierra Leone.
• Volta - A major river system in Ghana and Burkina Faso.
• Cross River (Nigeria) - A river in Nigeria.
• Nuon River - Flows through Liberia and Ivory Coast.
• Cestos River - Located in Liberia.

North Africa's Rivers

North Africa is mostly desert, but it is home to the most famous river in Africa, the Nile, which has supported civilizations for thousands of years.

• Nile - The longest river in Africa, stretching about 6,650 kilometers! It's crucial for countries like Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia.
  • Atbarah River - A tributary of the Nile, flowing through Sudan and Ethiopia.
  • Blue Nile - One of the two main tributaries of the Nile, starting in Ethiopia.
  • Didessa River - A river in Ethiopia.
  • Nile - The main branch of the Nile in Egypt.
  • Bahr el Zeraf - A branch of the White Nile in South Sudan.
  • White Nile - The other main tributary of the Nile, flowing through Sudan, South Sudan, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.
• Bou Regreg - A river in Morocco, about 240 kilometers long.
• Draa River - The longest river in Morocco, about 1100 kilometers long.
• Moulouya River - A river in Morocco, about 520 kilometers long.
• Oum Er-Rbia River - Another important river in Morocco, about 555 kilometers long.
• Sebou River - A river in Morocco, about 496 kilometers long.
• Chelif River - The longest river in Algeria, about 725 kilometers long.

See also

In Spanish: Anexo:Ríos más largos de África para niños

• Geography of Africa
• List of rivers of Europe
• List of rivers of Asia
• List of rivers of the Americas
• List of rivers of Oceania
• Lists of rivers
• List of dry rivers in Africa