The longest rivers in Africa
1. The Nile, the largest river in Africa
With a length of 6,670 km excluding tributaries, the Nile is the largest river in Africa. The surface area of the river is 3.4 million km² and the average flow at the mouth is 2,830 cubic meters per second.
This river is mythical and majestic. It has its source somewhere in the African jungle and ends its course in the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt. The source of the Nile is still a mystery. It is indeed very complicated to find the starting point
The Nile flows through Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt, Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya, Eritrea, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Nile flood takes place between July and December. On this occasion, the flow of the river can be up to 15 times higher. The Nile floods make the Nile valley very fertile by depositing a lot of alluvium. Numerous dams like the one in Aswan were built to control the force and violence of this river.
This river which saw the birth and disappearance of the Egyptian civilization is the biggest river on the planet.
2. The Congo River, one of the largest rivers in Africa
This river is nearly 4,700 kilometers long. It crosses three countries: the Democratic Republic of Congo, one of the largest countries in Africa (Congo Kinshasa, ex-Zaire) and the Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville), and Zambia. It is in the north of Zambia, in Katanga, that the Congo River has its source.
The surface area of the Congo River basin is 3.68 million m². The flow of this river at the mouth, the estuary of Boma, is exceptional. The average flow is 41,000 cubic meters per second.
3. The Niger River
With a length of 4,184 kilometers, the Niger River is the third largest river in Africa.
After crossing no less than six countries, the Niger River ends its course in the Atlantic Ocean. The six countries through which the river flows are: Nigeria, Benin, Niger, Mali, Guinea, and Sierra Leone.
The flow at its mouth is 6,000 cubic meters on average. The Niger River has an area of 2.26 million square kilometers.
4. The Zambezi
With a length of 2,574 kilometers, the Zambezi River ends its course in the Indian Ocean. The average surface area of the river is 1.4 million km².
This river occupies fourth place in the list of the largest African rivers.
The Zambezi passes through 9 countries. These countries are Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Angola.
The Zambezi is a very impressive river. It was its power that formed and sculpted the famous Victoria Falls.
Part of the river’s energy is captured by two hydraulic dams. The Kariba and Cahora Bassa dams supply electricity to South Africa.
5. The Orange River
With a length of 2160 kilometers, the Orange River flows mainly in South Africa. The area of the basin of this river is 973 000 km². The average flow rate at its mouth is about 370 cubic meters per second.
The Orange River originates in the Drakensberg Mountains at an altitude of 3150 meters (Lesotho). Part of its course serves as the land border between South Africa and Namibia. Then the Orange River ends its course in the Atlantic Ocean. This river is very important for South Africa because the water of the Orange River is used to irrigate crops as well as to produce electricity.
6. The Senegal River
The Senegal River is 1,790 kilometers long and its basin has an area of 337,000 km². The average flow at the mouth is about 640 M3 per second.
The river crosses several countries including Guinea, where it originates, then it passes through the territory of Mali, then it crosses Mauritania, and ends in Senegal.
This river is one of the main sources of life in North West Africa. The Senegal River brings water and fertility, depending on the season, to these arid and dry regions. It serves as a natural border between northern Mali and eastern Mauritania.
7. The Limpopo
This river flows mainly in South Africa and is about 1700 kilometers long.
It has its source at an altitude of 1,800 meters. It flows through Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and South Africa. The Limpopo ends its course in the Indian Ocean, one of the largest oceans in the world.
Its basin is 413,000 km² and the flow of the Limpopo is 265 cubic meters per second.
8. The Okavango River
Its length of 1,600 km makes it one of the top 10 largest rivers in Africa. The Okavango flows through 3 countries: Angola, Namibia, and Botswana.
The surface area of this river is 721,200 km² on average. And the average flow at the mouth is 475 cubic meters per second.
9. The Volta River
This 1,346 km long river crosses Burkina Faso, Ghana, and ends its course in Côte d’Ivoire. The river then flows into the Gulf of Guinea – Atlantic Ocean.
This river is in fact made up of three tributaries. The White Volta rises in the region of Ouahigouya, and the Red Volta and the Black Volta rise in the region of Banfora.
10. The Ogoué River
With a length of about 1,200 kilometers, the Ogoué River flows exclusively in Gabon. The river flows into the Atlantic Ocean and at its mouth, a flow of about 4,700 m3 per second is measured.
11. The Gambia River (bonus)
With a length of 1,130 kilometers, the Gambia River has its source in Guinea, crosses Senegal, and then the Gambia. It is in the Gambia that this eponymous river ends its course by flowing into the Atlantic Ocean.