2 July 2024
Perhaps we are a little partial, but Tanzania really does offer everything: safaris, waterfalls, mountains and… wait for it… rivers! Most visitors come to climb peaks and wander through rainforests, unaware that the rivers teem with wildlife of their own – crocodiles, hippos and birds beyond counting. So, with no further delay, let’s take a look at the longest rivers that flow through this East African country.
6 Major Rivers in Tanzania
The rivers of Tanzania give you plenty of chances to discover birdlife as well as life in the water. Besides spotting a crocodile lying low, you can join a range of boat cruises, walk along the banks and enjoy a delicious breakfast at the water’s edge while feeding the turtles and fish.
Rufiji River
Whether or not you have visited Tanzania before, chances are you have heard of the Rufiji River – the largest river in the country, spreading across its southern half. It measures 603 kilometres (375 miles), is created where the Kilombero and Luwegu Rivers meet, and empties into the Indian Ocean. To outsiders, the Rufiji River may look like a candidate for hydroelectric power or a handy supply of water for irrigation and household use. The people who live here, though, are proud of this remarkable river and see it as their emblem of biodiversity – a rich and well-protected ecosystem.
White Nile
On your Tanzania holiday you can call at the far-off source of the famous Nile: the White Nile, or more exactly the Kagera River, which empties into Lake Victoria. The White Nile rises in the mountains of Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania, and once it has left Lake Victoria it travels all the way to Khartoum in Sudan. There it joins the Blue Nile, and together the two form the mighty Nile River. If a trip to Egypt isn’t on the cards any time soon, you can still proudly say you have seen – or even swum in – the longest river in all of Africa… only at its modest beginnings, but that still counts!
Congo River
Africa’s second-largest river is the Congo River, which runs for 4,374 kilometres (2,900 miles) across several countries. At 220 metres (720 feet) deep, it is the deepest river anywhere in the world. It rises in Lake Tanganyika and the highlands of Zambia, then winds through Zambia, Tanzania, the Central African Republic and Cameroon. Looking for a fact to impress people with? Here you go: it is the only major river to cross the equator twice.
Kalambo River
Tourists have a soft spot for the Kalambo River, because it leads to the enchanting Kalambo Falls, the second-highest uninterrupted waterfalls in Africa. Like the Ruvuma, the Kalambo River marks a border, in this case between Tanzania and Zambia. The river itself is lovely, of course, but its fame rests on the star attraction: the waterfall that tumbles down into Lake Tanganyika.
Ruvuma
Rising in the Matagoro Mountains of southeastern Tanzania, the Ruvuma River runs to the Indian Ocean. At 800 kilometres (497 miles) in total it is fairly long, though it cannot match the other rivers in this list. It has still earned its place, as part of the river forms the border between Tanzania and Mozambique. A plan to build a bridge linking the two countries became reality in 2010. These days you can stand with one foot in Tanzania and the other in Mozambique.
Mara River
No list of this kind would be complete without the Mara River. It rises in Narok County in Kenya and runs all the way into Tanzania’s Mara region. Each year, travellers from across the globe gather here to watch the Great Wildebeest Migration, as vast herds cross the river on their way into Kenya. The Mara River is the spot to see all kinds of wild animals, from wildebeests and zebras to hippos, crocodiles and plenty more. Should you make it to the place where the crossing happens, you will understand at once why the Mara River is nicknamed the ‘river of death.’
Winding through a great variety of landscapes, Tanzania’s rivers are a vital water source for people and animals alike. The mighty Rufiji River empties into the Indian Ocean and stands as an example of unique biodiversity. Lake Victoria, fed by the Kagera River, is where the Nile begins. The Congo River crosses several countries and is so deep that scientists still cannot say exactly how far down the bottom lies. The Ruvuma and Kalambo Rivers form borders between countries, and the Mara River is the place to be during the Great Wildebeest Migration.
Fancy a walk along one of these rivers, a boat trip, or simply admiring them? Then send us a message and we will get you there.
