List of rivers of South Africa facts for kids

A map showing South Africa's cities, main towns, selected villages, rivers, and its highest peak.

Rivers are natural flowing watercourses that usually end up in an ocean, a lake, or another river. South Africa has many rivers that are very important for its people, animals, and plants. They provide water for drinking, farming, and industry.

It's common to find the Afrikaans word -rivier as part of a river's name. This simply means "river." Another common ending is "-kamma", which comes from the Khoisan language and also means "river." Sometimes, the English word "river" is added too, which means you might hear "Kamma River" – literally "River River"! The Zulu word amanzi (meaning "water") is also part of some river names. Smaller rivers are often called "spruit", which is an Afrikaans word for a small stream or spring.

Major Rivers of South Africa

South Africa is home to many rivers, big and small. Some of the most well-known rivers flow across different provinces and are vital for the country.

The Orange River

The Orange River is the longest river in South Africa. It starts in the Drakensberg Mountains in Lesotho and flows all the way to the Atlantic Ocean on the west coast. It forms part of the border between South Africa and Namibia. This river is super important for farming, as it provides water to dry areas. Many dams, like the Gariep Dam and Vanderkloof Dam, are built on the Orange River to store water.

The Limpopo River

The Limpopo River is another major river in South Africa. It flows through parts of Limpopo Province and forms borders with Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. The Limpopo River eventually flows into the Indian Ocean. It's known for its wildlife and the areas it supports.

The Vaal River

The Vaal River is a very important river for South Africa's biggest cities, like Johannesburg and Pretoria. It's a major source of water for millions of people and industries. The Vaal River joins the Orange River, adding to its flow. The Vaal Dam is a huge dam on this river, helping to store water for many uses.

The Tugela River

The Tugela River is the largest river in KwaZulu-Natal province. It also starts in the Drakensberg Mountains. The Tugela River is known for the stunning Tugela Falls, which are among the highest waterfalls in the world. This river flows into the Indian Ocean.

Other Important Rivers

• The Breede River in the Western Cape is important for agriculture, especially vineyards.
• The Great Fish River in the Eastern Cape has a long history and is known for its dry, rugged landscape.
• The Crocodile River (West) flows through Gauteng and North West Province, eventually joining the Limpopo River. It's important for the areas around Pretoria.
• The Olifants River (Limpopo) flows through Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces and is part of the Kruger National Park ecosystem.

Dams and Water Management

Many rivers in South Africa have dams built on them. Dams are like giant walls that hold back river water, creating large lakes called reservoirs. These reservoirs are essential for:

• Storing water: For drinking, irrigation (watering crops), and industrial use.
• Generating electricity: Hydroelectric power stations use the force of water from dams to make electricity.
• Controlling floods: Dams can help manage the flow of water during heavy rains, preventing floods downstream.

Some famous dams include the Hartbeespoort Dam on the Crocodile River and the Midmar Dam on the Umgeni River.

River Basins

A river basin, also called a drainage basin, is an area of land where all the water flows into a single river, stream, or lake. Think of it like a giant funnel! South Africa is divided into different river basins, each with its own main river and many smaller rivers and streams that feed into it. This helps manage the country's water resources.

Images for kids

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  Topographic map of South Africa.

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  Course and watershed of the Orange River with topography shading and political boundaries.

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  Grootrivier in Nature's Valley, stained a tea colour by plant tannins

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  Amanzimtoti River at Ilanda Wilds

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  Amanzimtoti River at Ilanda Wilds

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  Amanzimtoti Lagoon

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  Crocodile River (Limpopo)

See also

In Spanish: Anexo:Ríos de Sudáfrica para niños

• List of reservoirs and dams in South Africa
• Water Management Areas
• Estuaries in South Africa
• List of lakes in South Africa
• Lagoons of South Africa
• List of Bays of South Africa
• Drainage basins of South Africa