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Zambezi
The Zambezi is Africa’s
fourth largest River system, after the Nile, Zaire and Niger Rivers.
It runs through six countries on it’s journey from central
Africa to the Indian Ocean. Its unique value is that it is less
developed than others in terms of human settlement and many areas
along it’s banks enjoy protected status.
Running for a length of 2700kms,
it begins it’s journey as an insignificant little spring in
the corner of north-west Zambia in the Mwinilunga District. It bubbles
up between the roots of a tree, very close to the border where Zambia,
Angola and Zaire meet. It enters Angola for about 230kms, where
it accumulates the bulk of its headwater drainage, and re-enters
Zambia again at Cholwezi rapids flowing due south but substantially
enlarged by the entry of various tributaries.
It passes through the flat sandy
country of the Western Province, then traverses the broad, annually
flooding Barotse Plains, where much of the water is lost to evaporation,
then over more rocky country where it’s tranquil course is
interrupted by the Ngonye falls and rapids.
As it turns to an easterly direction it forms the border between
Zambia and Namibia and eventually
joins up with the
Chobe River in the Caprivi
Swamps, briefly forming a border with Botswana.
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