Africa continent is combined of hot and pleasant places such as deserts, rain forests and plains, the rivers here are long and deep because the areas where these rivers are located in drainage areas. The continent is large in size and has thousands of tributaries that join the rivers. Many countries in Africa are naturally rich by a depth of forest with the variety of Animals including endangered species. The Rivers usually flow heavily in the rainy season. The rain creates many streams which merge to main rivers and makes these rivers size larger and longer. As we all know, the Nile is the longest river on earth.(measured officially). But there are some discussions lately between the Nile or Amazon whick river is the longest in the World.
1. NILE RIVER
Nile is the longest River in Africa and even in the World. It flows through 11 African countries. The main outflow is Mediterranean and its total length is about 6,650 km, Drainage area of 3,254,555 km2 with average discharge around 5,100 cubic meters per second. The nile is more known for its irrigational purposes. But to some other countries the river passes through, the river provides fish and. Its main source is Lake Victoria in Tanzania stretching to Egypt where it discharges its waters in the mediterranean sea.
The origins of the name: “Nile”are disputed. Some people think that it comes from the Semitic word: Nahal, which means "river". Others think that the Greek word, “neilos”, which means valley, is the true origin.
Length: 6,650 km
Countries: Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Egypt, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan
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| the nile.. Passing close to the great pyramids of egypt.. (Picture Source: Rss media feed) |
2. ZAIRE RIVER (CONGO-CHAMBESHI)
Merge into the Atlantic Ocean and flow through where many countries and different landscapes meet this river. This includes a desert and the congo rain forest. The Congo River length is 4,700 km with a discharge of 41,800 cubic meters per second. The lovely thing to boast about this river is that it is the deepest river in the world, and the 9th longest river in the world. Another firsts for Africa's nature.
Livingstone Falls, named after the well known explorer, David Livingstone, is one of the most impressive sights of the river. In the falls there are several waterfalls and rapids, stretching for over 200 miles and still have as much power as all of the waterfalls and rivers in the United States combined.
Livingstone Falls, named after the well known explorer, David Livingstone, is one of the most impressive sights of the river. In the falls there are several waterfalls and rapids, stretching for over 200 miles and still have as much power as all of the waterfalls and rivers in the United States combined.
Length: 4,700 km
Countries: The Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Angola, Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Cameroon, Zambia, Burundi, Rwanda
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| Did you know? The congo river has over 4000 islands |
3. NIGER RIVER
The third longest river in Africa with main source water from Guinea Highlands in Southern Guinea, and merges into the Atlantic Ocean, it has the total discharge of 9,570 cubic meters per second. Its primary tributaries are Sokoto River, Kaduna River, Benue River, Bani River and flow through many cities.the Niger is very clear. This is because its source contains very little silt.
The countries of Niger and Nigeria get their names from the river.The Niger has one of the most unusual routes of any of the major rivers in the world. It starts approximately 150 miles from the Atlantic Ocean (240 kilometers). Instead of flowing to the nearby Atlantic Ocean it instead heads inland, away from the sea into the Sahara Desert. It turns sharply near the city of Timbuktu and heads to the Gulf of Guinea.
The countries of Niger and Nigeria get their names from the river.The Niger has one of the most unusual routes of any of the major rivers in the world. It starts approximately 150 miles from the Atlantic Ocean (240 kilometers). Instead of flowing to the nearby Atlantic Ocean it instead heads inland, away from the sea into the Sahara Desert. It turns sharply near the city of Timbuktu and heads to the Gulf of Guinea.
Length: 4,200 km
Countries: Nigeria, Mali, Niger, Algeria, Guinea, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin, Chad
4. ZAMBEZI RIVER
The fourth longest, its water source starts from Mwinilunga in Zambia and flowing into the Indian ocean, the famous Victoria Falls and Chavuma Falls created by Zambazi. Its average discharge is around 3,400 cubic meters per second with the catchment area of 1,390,000 km2.The Zambezi is the longest east flowing river in Africa.A huge source of hydroelectric power on the Zambezi is the Kariba Dam. At 420 feet (128 meters) high and 1,900 feet (579 meters) long it is one of the largest dams in the world. Its construction was completed in 1977. Eighty six men lost their lives building it.
Bull sharks (also called Zambezi Sharks) which normally live in costal waters have been known to swim very far up the Zambezi River.
Bull sharks (also called Zambezi Sharks) which normally live in costal waters have been known to swim very far up the Zambezi River.
Length: 2,693 km
Countries: Zambia, Angola, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Namibia, Botswana
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| Did you know? The famous Victoria falls is found in the zambezi river |
5. UBANGI -UELE RIVER
Ubangi and Ulele rivers are the longest tributaries of Congo River which flow into the Congo River, the combined Ubangi, and Ulele length is about 2,270 km. The Rivers are important transport artery between Bangui and Brazzaville, its drainage basin 772,800 km2.River Ubangi has two main tributaries, River Uele and River Kasai. River Uele is the longest tributary of River Ubangi, hence the name River Ubangi-Uele.
The region also supports sparse population because of the harsh living conditions. The original inhabitants of this land were the Mbuti who lived in the land more than 2,000 years ago.
The region also supports sparse population because of the harsh living conditions. The original inhabitants of this land were the Mbuti who lived in the land more than 2,000 years ago.
Length: 2,270 km
Countries: The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo
6. KASAI RIVER
The Kasai is flowing into Congo River at Kwamouth northeast of Kinshasa, the main tributaries include the Fimi, Kwango and Sankuru rivers, and the catchment Area is about 880,200 km2, the most valuable diamond found in this river.
The tributaries of River Kasai are clear of obstacles like cataracts and river weed, making them very navigable. They facilitate the transport sector and form an important trade artery. The river’s role in transport and trade was more prominent during the pre-colonial period when slave trade was legal. Slave traders used one of its major tributaries, the Kwango River, to navigate the equatorial rain forest, capture slaves and find their way back to the Atlantic Ocean where they had docked their ships.
The tributaries of River Kasai are clear of obstacles like cataracts and river weed, making them very navigable. They facilitate the transport sector and form an important trade artery. The river’s role in transport and trade was more prominent during the pre-colonial period when slave trade was legal. Slave traders used one of its major tributaries, the Kwango River, to navigate the equatorial rain forest, capture slaves and find their way back to the Atlantic Ocean where they had docked their ships.
Length: 2,153 km
Countries: Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo
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| Did You Know? The kasai river forms a natural border between Congo and Angola |
7. ORANGE RIVER
The primary water source is Thaba Putsoa located in Maloti Mountains in Lesotho and Orange River is the longest river in South Africa and plays the important role in the economy by providing water for irrigation and hydroelectricity, its drainage basin is 973,000 km2.
One may wonder why a river would take up such a name. Was it from the (orange) fruits grown extensively along its banks? Clearly, orange is a colour that is contradictory to the normal shade of clear or silt filled, brown, murky water. Why not call it Brown River? Well…its discoverer, a Dutch navigator named it in honour of the Dutch prince, William of Orange. This is contrary to the incorrect belief that the river gets its name from the orange colour of its water during sunsets. This is inaccurate since its largest tributary and water source, the Vaal, has pale grey waters.
One may wonder why a river would take up such a name. Was it from the (orange) fruits grown extensively along its banks? Clearly, orange is a colour that is contradictory to the normal shade of clear or silt filled, brown, murky water. Why not call it Brown River? Well…its discoverer, a Dutch navigator named it in honour of the Dutch prince, William of Orange. This is contrary to the incorrect belief that the river gets its name from the orange colour of its water during sunsets. This is inaccurate since its largest tributary and water source, the Vaal, has pale grey waters.
Length: 2,092 km
Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho
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| Orange river is the longest river in southern Africa |
8. LIMPOPO RIVER
It rises in central southern Africa and flowing into the Indian ocean, it discharges 170 cubic meters per second at its mouth with the drainage basin of 415,000 km2 in size, its main water source is Marico and Crocodile river which located in Botswana and South Africa border at the elevation of 872 meters.
River Limpopo has over twenty tributaries, a reason why it never dries up even though it flows through the Kalahari Desert in its upper course.
Its current name is a modification of an original version, ‘diphororo tsa metse’ whose translation is “gushing strong waterfalls”. The geographical course of the river forms a large arc as it snakes eastwards forming a border that separates South Africa from Botswana in the Northwest, and Zimbabwe, which lies in the North.
River Limpopo has over twenty tributaries, a reason why it never dries up even though it flows through the Kalahari Desert in its upper course.
Its current name is a modification of an original version, ‘diphororo tsa metse’ whose translation is “gushing strong waterfalls”. The geographical course of the river forms a large arc as it snakes eastwards forming a border that separates South Africa from Botswana in the Northwest, and Zimbabwe, which lies in the North.
Length: 1,800 km
Countries: Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana
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| The river limpopo |
9. SENEGAL RIVER
Senegal River named after the country Senegal has 2 large dams along its course, the river has drainage basin of 270,000 km2 with a mean flow of 60 cubic meters per second at its mouth in the Atlantic Ocean.
The “Gateway to Africa” tag was earned due to the presence of the Senegal River, due to which the Portuguese and the French were able to make inroads to Sudan and Central Africa. It was a major link in the Great Trans-Saharan trade across the vastness of Africa. It helped develop contact between the Morocco and the Ghana Empire in the Middle Ages.
An ancient Greek guy, who’s quite famous on Wikipedia, Pliny the Elder named the Senegal River, “Bambotus”, which simply means hippopotamus. Though “Bambotus” is way better a name than “Pliny”. The river is famous for its hippopotamuses but in a bad way because they are the deadliest animals in the river the reported death toll, now reaching 100 per year
The “Gateway to Africa” tag was earned due to the presence of the Senegal River, due to which the Portuguese and the French were able to make inroads to Sudan and Central Africa. It was a major link in the Great Trans-Saharan trade across the vastness of Africa. It helped develop contact between the Morocco and the Ghana Empire in the Middle Ages.
An ancient Greek guy, who’s quite famous on Wikipedia, Pliny the Elder named the Senegal River, “Bambotus”, which simply means hippopotamus. Though “Bambotus” is way better a name than “Pliny”. The river is famous for its hippopotamuses but in a bad way because they are the deadliest animals in the river the reported death toll, now reaching 100 per year
Length: 1,641 km
Countries: Guinea, Senegal, Mali, Mauritania
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| Locals bathing in the river Senegal |
10. BLUE NILE RIVER
The Blue Nile is the tributary of Nile River and its origin from Lesser Abay and Lake Tana, creates Blue Nile Falls at Lake Tana, the flow of the Blue Nile reaches maximum volume in the rainy season to 2,349 cubic meters per second with a catchment area of 325,000 km2.
”. It adopts the blue part of its name from the large amount of fertile soil it erodes from the highlands of Ethiopia, giving the water a grey-bluish colour. The Blue Nile originates from Lake Tana in Ethiopia whereas the White Nile originates from Eastern Africa and joins the Blue Nile in Khartoum, the capital city of Sudan.
The Blue Nile is the shorter of the two branches, with a length of 1,450 kilometres.In its upper course, the Ethiopians call it the Abay River. Many have religious beliefs based on the holiness of its water.
They believe that the Blue Nile is the same river mentioned in the bible, in the book of Genesis. According to their religious beliefs, it is one of the four rivers flowing out of the Garden of Eden to merge into one later. Out of the many feeder streams, Ethiopians believe that the Lesser Abay, a small spring feeding the Blue Nile is also a holy stream. Their faith is deep rooted and goes way back to the pre-colonial times, when Ethiopia retained their freedom even as European settlers divided Africa amongst themselves like a cake.
The Italians tried to colonize them but even with their superior weapons, the Ethiopians defeated them. The Ethiopian believers believed, and continue to believe that they had the power of the Abay, a far more superior weapon to the atomic bombs of the colonialists. That is how believers of the power of the Blue Nile believe they escaped colonization!
”. It adopts the blue part of its name from the large amount of fertile soil it erodes from the highlands of Ethiopia, giving the water a grey-bluish colour. The Blue Nile originates from Lake Tana in Ethiopia whereas the White Nile originates from Eastern Africa and joins the Blue Nile in Khartoum, the capital city of Sudan.
The Blue Nile is the shorter of the two branches, with a length of 1,450 kilometres.In its upper course, the Ethiopians call it the Abay River. Many have religious beliefs based on the holiness of its water.
They believe that the Blue Nile is the same river mentioned in the bible, in the book of Genesis. According to their religious beliefs, it is one of the four rivers flowing out of the Garden of Eden to merge into one later. Out of the many feeder streams, Ethiopians believe that the Lesser Abay, a small spring feeding the Blue Nile is also a holy stream. Their faith is deep rooted and goes way back to the pre-colonial times, when Ethiopia retained their freedom even as European settlers divided Africa amongst themselves like a cake.
The Italians tried to colonize them but even with their superior weapons, the Ethiopians defeated them. The Ethiopian believers believed, and continue to believe that they had the power of the Abay, a far more superior weapon to the atomic bombs of the colonialists. That is how believers of the power of the Blue Nile believe they escaped colonization!
Length: 1,600 km
Countries: Ethiopia, Sudan
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| Did you Know? 80% of Sudan's electricity is originated from the Blue Nile |
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