Vaal River

The Vaal River is South Africa's greatest tributary of the Orange River. The river originates near Breyten in the Mpumalanga province, around 30 kilometers (19 miles) north of Ermelo and barely 240 kilometers (150 miles) from the Indian Ocean. It then runs west, merging with the Orange River southwest of Kimberley in the Northern Cape. It runs for 1,458 kilometers (906 miles) between Mpumalanga, Gauteng, and the North West Province on the north bank and the Free State on the south bank.

It is South Africa's third largest river, behind the Orange River (2432 km) and the Limpopo River (1750 km), and it was established as the main source of water for the huge Witswatersrand area following the gold rush in the nineteenth century. The Vaal Dam is located on the Vaal River in Deneysville, just south of the Gauteng-Free State boundary. It's also worth noting that the Vaal River is the world's longest river entirely within South Africa's borders.

Rain and underground water collect in pans, vleis, and streams, which join to form the Vaal River, which flows westward. Near Standerton, Mpumalanga, the river runs west into the Grootdraai Dam. The river is joined by a number of tributaries on its way to the Vaal Dam near Vereeniging. The Little Vaal River begins near Ermelo in an escarpment. The Klip River begins near Memel, in the Free State. In Secunda, Mpumalanga, the Watervals River begins. Before the Vaal Dam was erected in 1938, the Wilge River met the Vaal River; now the water runs straight into the dam.

The Vaal River is 50 kilometers long and has 50 kilometers of navigable water. As a result, the river basin provides a variety of enjoyable water sports that draw both local and foreign visitors throughout the year. Boating, yachting, and water skiing are some of the activities available.

Deneysville is a prominent water-sports destination on the Free State side of the Vaal River, with visitors enjoying swimming, kiteboarding, yachting, boating, catamaran cruise, jet skiing, windsurfing, snorkeling, and fishing.

Length: 1,458 km (906 mi)