List of rivers of the Democratic Republic of the Congo facts for kids

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a very large country in Central Africa. It's known for its incredible natural beauty, especially its many rivers. Rivers are super important here! They help people travel, transport goods, and even generate electricity. The most famous river is the mighty Congo River, one of the longest and deepest rivers in the world. This article will tell you about the main rivers that flow through the DRC.

Rivers of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

A map showing the main rivers and lakes of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Imagine a giant funnel where all the rain and smaller streams eventually flow into one big river and then out to the ocean. This area is called a drainage basin. Most of the DRC's rivers are part of the huge Congo River basin, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean. A smaller part of the country's rivers flows towards the Mediterranean Sea.

Rivers Flowing to the Atlantic Ocean

Most of the DRC's rivers, including the mighty Congo River, flow into the Atlantic Ocean. The Congo River is the second-longest river in Africa and the deepest river in the world! It's like a superhighway for boats and ships, helping people and goods move across the country.

• Chiloango River: This river flows directly into the Atlantic Ocean.
• Congo River: The heart of the DRC's river system. Many other rivers are its tributaries, meaning they flow into the Congo River.
  • M'pozo River
  • Inkisi River (also called Zadi River)
  • Ndjili River
    • Lukaya River
  • Lukunga River
  • Kasai River (also called Kwa River): A major tributary of the Congo, known for its diamond mining areas.
    • Fimi River
      • Lukenie River
      • Lokoro River
      • Lotoi River
    • Kwango River
      • Kwilu River

* Inzia River * Kwenge River * Lutshima River

• • • • Wamba River

* Bakali River

• • • Kamtsha River
    • Luele River
    • Lubue River
    • Loange River
      • Lushiko River
    • Sankuru River: Another very important tributary, flowing through a large part of the DRC.
      • Lubudi River
      • Lubefu River
      • Lubi River

* Fwa River

• • • • Mbuji-Mayi River (also called Bushimaie River)
      • Luilu River
      • Lubilash River
      • Luenbe River
    • Lutshuadi River
    • Lulua River
      • Loebo River
    • Lovua River
    • Chicapa River
    • Luachimo River
    • Chiumbe River
      • Luia River
    • Lueta River (also called Kaongeshi River)
  • Ubangi River: A huge tributary that forms part of the border between the DRC and the Central African Republic.
    • Ngiri River
    • Lua River
    • Mbomou River
      • Bili River
    • Uele River: An important river in the northern part of the DRC.
      • Bima River
      • Uere River
      • Bomokandi River
      • Duru River
      • Dungu River

* Garamba River

• • • • Kibali River

* Nzoro River

• • Ruki River
    • Momboyo River
      • Lokolo River
      • Luilaka River
      • Loile River
    • Busira River
      • Salonga River

* Yenge River

• • • • Lomela River

* Tshuapa River

• • Ikelemba River
  • Lulonga River
    • Lopori River
      • Bolombo River
    • Maringa River
      • Lomako River
  • Mongala River
    • Ebola River: This river gave its name to the famous Ebola virus, first identified near its banks.
  • Itimbiri River
    • Tele River
    • Likati River
    • Rubi River
  • Aruwimi River
    • Lulu River
    • Nepoko River
    • Ituri River: Flows through the Ituri Rainforest, famous for its wildlife.
      • Lenda River
  • Lomami River
  • Lindi River
    • Tshopo River
  • Maiko River
  • Lualaba River: This is the name for the upper part of the Congo River, before it becomes the main Congo River.
    • Lowa River
      • Oso River
    • Ulindi River
      • Lugulu River
    • Elila River
    • Luama River
    • Lukuga River: This river flows out of Lake Tanganyika.
      • Luizi River
      • Lake Tanganyika: One of the largest and deepest freshwater lakes in the world, shared by several countries.

* Ruzizi River: This river flows out of Lake Kivu and into Lake Tanganyika. * Mulobozi River

• • • Luvidjo River
    • Luvua River
      • Lukushi River
      • Luapula River: This river forms part of the border between the DRC and Zambia.
    • Lufira River
    • Lubudi River

Rivers Flowing to the Mediterranean Sea

A small part of the DRC, in the eastern region, is part of the Nile River basin. These rivers eventually flow into Lake Albert and then into the Nile River, which empties into the Mediterranean Sea.

• Nile: The longest river in Africa.
  • White Nile: One of the two main branches of the Nile.
    • Lake Albert: A large lake on the border with Uganda.
      • Semliki River: This river flows from Lake Edward to Lake Albert.

* Rutshuru River * Ishasha River (via Lake Edward)