List of rivers of Zambia facts for kids

Zambia is a country in Southern Africa, and it's famous for its amazing rivers! Rivers are like nature's highways, carrying water across the land. They are super important for people, animals, and plants. They provide drinking water, help farmers grow food, and are home to lots of wildlife. This article will tell you about the main rivers in Zambia and where their waters end up.

Zambia's Amazing Rivers

A river system is like a giant network of waterways. It includes a main river and all the smaller streams and rivers that flow into it. These smaller rivers are called tributaries. All the land that drains water into a particular river system is called a drainage basin. Think of it like a huge bathtub where all the rain and water eventually flows to one main drain. Zambia's rivers flow into different drainage basins, meaning their waters end up in different large bodies of water, like oceans or big lakes.

Rivers Flowing to the Atlantic Ocean

Some of Zambia's rivers eventually send their water all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. This journey often starts in Lake Tanganyika, one of the largest and deepest lakes in the world.

Lake Tanganyika's Outlets

• The Lufubu River is one of the rivers that flows into Lake Tanganyika.
  • The Kalambo River is a tributary of the Lufubu. It's famous for the Kalambo Falls, which are very tall!
• The Luvua River (which is mainly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo) also receives water from Zambian rivers.
  • The Kalungwishi River from Zambia flows into the Luvua.
    • The Luangwa River (not to be confused with the larger Luangwa River that flows into the Zambezi) is a tributary of the Kalungwishi.
  • The Luapula River is a major river that forms part of the border between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It flows out of Lake Bangweulu and eventually joins the Congo River system, which leads to the Atlantic Ocean.
    • The Mbereshi River flows into the Luapula.
    • The Luongo River is another tributary of the Luapula.
    • The Lwela River also joins the Luapula.
    • The Luombwa River adds its waters to the Luapula.
    • The Chambeshi River is often considered the true source of the Congo River. It flows into Lake Bangweulu, and its waters then become part of the Luapula River.
      • The Lukulu River is a tributary of the Chambeshi.

* The Lwombe River flows into the Lukulu.

Rivers Flowing to the Indian Ocean

Most of Zambia's rivers are part of the Zambezi River basin. The Zambezi is the fourth-longest river in Africa and flows all the way to the Indian Ocean. It's a very important river for Zambia and many other countries.

The Mighty Zambezi River

• The Zambezi River itself starts in Zambia. It flows through several countries before reaching the Indian Ocean. The famous Victoria Falls are on the Zambezi River!
  • The Luia River (in Mozambique) receives water from Zambian rivers.
    • The Capoche River flows into the Luia.
  • The Luangwa River is one of the Zambezi's biggest tributaries in Zambia. It's known for its amazing wildlife and national parks.
    • The Lunsemfwa River flows into the Luangwa.
      • The Lukasashi River is a tributary of the Lunsemfwa.
      • The Mulungushi River also joins the Lunsemfwa.
    • The Lupande River is another tributary of the Luangwa.
    • The Lundazi River also flows into the Luangwa.
  • The Chongwe River is a smaller river that joins the Zambezi.
  • The Kafue River is another very important river in Zambia. It flows through the Kafue National Park, which is one of Africa's largest parks.
    • The Lufupa River flows into the Kafue.
    • The Lunga River is a major tributary of the Kafue.
    • The Luswishi River also joins the Kafue.
  • The Kalomo River flows into the Zambezi.
  • The Machili River is another tributary of the Zambezi.
  • The Cuando River (also spelled Kwando) flows along Zambia's border before joining the Zambezi.
  • The Njoko River flows into the Zambezi.
  • The Lumbe River is a smaller tributary.
  • The Lui River also joins the Zambezi.
  • The Luete River flows into the Zambezi.
  • The Luanginga River is another tributary.
  • The Luena River joins the Zambezi.
  • The Lungwebungu River is a significant tributary.
  • The Kabompo River is a large river in western Zambia that flows into the Zambezi.
    • The Dongwe River is a tributary of the Kabompo.
      • The Lalafuta River flows into the Dongwe.
      • The Musondweji River also joins the Dongwe.
    • The Maninga River flows into the Kabompo.
    • The West Lunga River is another tributary of the Kabompo.
    • The Mwafwe River also joins the Kabompo.
  • The Sakeji River is a smaller river that flows into the Zambezi.

Rivers Flowing to Lake Rukwa

A very small part of Zambia's water flows into the Lake Rukwa basin, which is mainly in Tanzania. Lake Rukwa is an endorheic basin, meaning its water doesn't flow out to an ocean but stays within the lake and evaporates.

Lake Rukwa's Tributaries

• The Momba River (in Tanzania) receives water from Zambia.
  • The Saisi River flows into the Momba.
    • The Lumi River from Zambia is a tributary of the Saisi.

See also

• Water transport in Zambia