See Five Longest Rivers In Africa And Where They Are Located (Photos)

5. River Ubangi

Backgrounds:
Ubangi River is the fifth longest river in Africa with length of 2,270 km (1,410) and is a major tributary of the Congo River in equatorial Africa.

The Ubangi is formed at the junction of the Uele and Bomu rivers. It then flows westward and southward through Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of Congo.

Highlights:
Ubangi River is the largest tributary of the Congo River.

Forms the boundary between the DRC and the Republic of Congo.

In 1870 the river was visted by Georg Schweinfurth a German botanist and in 1882–83 was visted by Wilhelm Junker a German explorer from Russia.

Activities:
Transport: it provides an important transport artery for river boats between Bangui and Brazzaville.

Agriculture: Due to fertile soils along the river banks.

Fishing: This is the major activities done the river more especially by locals.

4. River Zambezi

Backgrounds:
River Zambezi is the fourth longest river in Africa and the largest flowing into the Indian Ocean from Africa.

The area of its basin is 1,390,000 square kilometres and the depth of 2,693 km (1,673 mi).

The river flows through Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Highlights:
River Zambezi is known for several waterfalls including the amazing Victoria Falls, which is one of Africa’s most popular sightseeing spots.

Others are waterfalls include Ngonye Falls in Western Zambia and Chavuma Falls on the border of Angola and Zambia.

People of Zambia believe the Zambezi River has a spirit called Nyami Nyami.

First European to see the Zambezi River was Vasco de Gama in 1498 who named it the River of Good Omens.

On Zambezi River there is Victoria Falls

Activities:
Devils Pool – There is Livingstone Island with a picnic and then a swim in Devils Pool on the very edge of Victoria Falls

Wave boarding and surfing – this one is for the serious enthusiast. River boarding is done on the same section of water as the river rafting.

Fishing: there is tiger fish, a variety of bream, Kafue pike and Vundu catfish found in the upper Zambezi River and Chessa, Nkupi, Bottlenose, Cornish Jack and a variety of Bream found in the Lower Zambezi.

White water rafting: The rafting takes place in the gorges below the Victoria Falls.

Viewing the falls

3. River Niger

Backgrounds:
Niger River is the third longest river in Africa, the principal river of western Africa and eleventh longest in the world, extending about 4,200 km (2,611 mi).

The river flows through: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Nigeria. Its main tributary is the Benue River.

Highlights:
Third-longest River in Africa.

Its main tributary is the Benue River.

River Niger floods yearly; this begins in September, peaks in November and by May.

The river is known for its unique route that is; the river runs away from the sea into the Sahara Desert and then takes a sharp right turn near the ancient city of Timbuktu

Activities:
Transport: Mainly by boats on the River.

Agriculture: Most of the river banks are fertile and good for agriculture.

Fishing

Trade: Great River has supported life and trade in the region for instance; the ancient city of Timbuktu is located only a short distance from its banks.

2. River Congo

Backgrounds:
River Congo is the second longest river in Africa and the world’s deepest river with measured depths in excess of 220 m (720 feet).

It is the second largest river in the world by volume of water discharged and ninth longest in World with length of 4,700 km (2,922 mi).

The river flows through Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Republic of the Congo.

The Congo River’s sources are in the mountains and highlands of the East African Rift, as well as Lake Tanganyika and Lake Mweru.

Highlights:
The river and its tributaries flow through the Congo rainforest, the second largest rain forest area in the world

The river has the second-largest flow in the world
River steamers operate throughout the year between Kinshasa and Kisangani.

Congo River is Africa’s largest potential source of hydroelectric power.

Kinkole is a small fishing port some 40 km from downtown Kinshasa. With its lively fish market

Activities:
Generating hydropower.

Tourism: Congo River is the most pertinent tourist attraction in the country. The river separates the two Congos – Kinshasa and Brazzaville.

Production of palm oil

Transport: The Congo River is an important navigational system in Africa, accessible at all seasons to barges with capacities between 800 and 1,100 tons.

Fishing: Dominated by the elephantfishes, followed by cichlids, characins and the Distichodontidae.

Agricultural activities

1. River Nile

Backgrounds:
River Nile is the longest river in Africa and in the world with the length of 6,650 km (4,132mi) flowing northwards from Burundi through Rwanda, Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Egypt on its way to Mediterranean Sea.

Highlights:
River Nile is famous International River because of it being the longest in the world.

River Nile flows from south to north.

It is formed by three major tributaries: the White Nile, the Blue Nile and the Atbara.

The Nile is regarded as Egypt’s lifeblood since most of the country’s population lives in the Nile valley.

Activities:
Fishing: A number of fish species including the Tilapia are found in this river.

It is the potential for water games like rafting.

Farming: There is a lot of farming going on the Nile Valley.

Some parts of the river are Navigable.

The river has the potential to support agricultural farming through irrigation.

Wildlife : The river is supporting a lot of wildlife including hippos, crocodiles and many species of birds and animals.

The river has been tapped in a number of places for energy production and has the potential to produce more energies.