The Botswana Rivers add to the natural beauty of Botswana, Africa. Some of the famous Botswana Rivers include the Thamalakane River, Limpopo River, Molopo River, Okavango River, and Chobe River
Most of the Botswana Rivers do not originate in Botswana itself. Most of the Botswana Rivers originate either in South Africa or in Angola. Few Botswana Rivers terminate in the Atlantic Ocean, while some drain into the Indian Ocean. Because of the earth’s movements along the course line of these rivers, some of the Botswana Rivers have given rise to the formation of hidden lagoons. Large varieties of flora can be found in and around the Botswana Rivers. Various types of water lilies are found in abundance in the lagoons.
The banks of Botswana Rivers are mostly covered with thick woods. Along a few banks, villages or cities lives have been set up. Some of the Botswana Rivers provide major transportation facilities for the villagers. Boat riding facilities are also available for tourists in a few Botswana Rivers.
Most of the Botswana Rivers dry up in the summer season. But in the monsoon season, these rivers often flood their banks. The tourists prefer to visit the Botswana Rivers during the monsoon. Varieties of wild animals are found in and around the Botswana Rivers.
Limpopo River :
The Limpopo River with its origin in the interior region of Africa holds an important place for many reasons. The Limpopo River is Africa’s second largest river when the size of the river is brought into consideration. The other reasons behind its importance are its association with legendary characters like the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama and the British author Rudyard Kipling. In a few of the stories of Rudyard Kipling, it has been mentioned that the Limpopo River is dwelt in by numerous pythons. Vasco da Gama is claimed to be the first European to catch a glimpse of the Limpopo River.
The length of the Limpopo River is approximately 1,700 kilometers. The flow of the Limpopo River is mostly eastwards. It flows towards the east to drain itself into the Indian Ocean. The Olifants/Letaba River is one of the major tributaries of the Limpopo River. The course of the Limpopo River is a crooked one in the north and northeast. The presence of the Limpopo River creates a border between Botswana with South Africa.
Water is not seen to flow in the Limpopo River throughout the year. During the dry season, water is rarely seen along the crooked course line of the Limpopo River. But in the rainy season, the water flows heavily. During the rainy season, the flow of water is so rapid that large ships can also navigate through the river.
Tourists can have real fun along the Limpopo River, but they are suggested to be careful of the reptiles.
| Botswana |
|---|
| River | Length (km) | Length (miles) | Drainage area (km²) | Outflow | Countries in the drainage basin | Botswana Districts in the drainage basin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Okavango River | 1600 | 1000 | 530000 | Moremi Game Reserve | Botswana, Angola, and Namibia | Ngamiland district |
| Limpopo River | 1800 | 1100 | 415000 | Indian Ocean | Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique | Central District |
| Zambezi River | 2574 | 1599 | 1390000 | Indian Ocean | Botswana, Zambia, DR Congo, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Angola, Namibia | Chobe District |
| Molopo River | 970 | 603 | 367201 | Orange River | Botswana, South Africa, and Namibia | Kgalagadi District |
| Cuando River | 731 | 457 | 96778 | Confluence with Zambezi River | Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Angola | Ngamiland district |
| Nossob River | 740 | 460 | 100000 | Molopo River | Botswana, South Africa, and Namibia | Kgalagadi District |
| Shashe River | 362 | 225 | 18 991 | Confluence with Limpopo River | Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe | North-East District |