Zambezi

The Zambezi River, usually called Zambesi, is one of the Longest Rivers in Tanzania and is a river that drains most of south-central Africa. It constitutes the continent's fourth biggest river basin when combined with its tributaries. The Zambezi (meaning "Great River" in Tonga) River runs through Zambia and features Victoria Falls, one of the world's most spectacular natural marvels, as well as the Kariba and Cahora Bassa dams, two of Africa's largest hydroelectric projects. The river traverses or forms the borders of six countries—Angola, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique—and its usage is governed by a number of international treaties.

The Zambezi River begins from a marshy bog near Kalene Hill in Zambia and flows for about 20 miles before entering Angola, where it extends for more than 175 miles. More than a dozen tributaries of varying sizes meet the river in this first section of its journey. The river goes over the Chavuma Falls shortly after reentering Zambia and traverses a huge tract of hummocky, sand-covered floodplains, the greatest of which is the Barotse, or Zambezi, Plain. During the summer floods, the area is inundated with fertile alluvial soils. The Kabompo River from the east and the bigger Lungué-Bungo (Lungwebungo) River from the west is the primary tributaries intersecting the river along the plains.

Total Length: 1,599 miles