The Zambezi River

The Zambezi River is Africa’s fourth longest River system. The longest is the Nile, followed by the Congo and Niger Rivers. It flows from the source of the Zambezi River in north-west Zambia. It runs through six countries from central Africa to the Indian Ocean. The Zambezi River is less developed by human settlement. Many areas along its banks have a protected status, so it has more game than other big rivers. By visiting the Zambezi River you are likely to encounter crocodiles, baboon, elephants, hippos, lions and hyenas. There are also many other types of wildlife that thrive on the banks of the Zambezi River.

Source of the Zambezi River

The origin of the Zambezi River is in a black marshy wetland in north-west Zambia, about 1,524 m (4,900 ft) above sea level. It bubbles up between the roots of a tree, very close to the border where Zambia, Angola and Zaire meet.

Zambezi River God (Nyami Nyami)

The Nyami Nyami, or Nyaminyami is the Zambezi River God or Zambezi Snake spirit. It is one of the most important gods of the Tonga people. The Zambezi River god is believed to protect the Tonga people and give them sustenance in difficult times. The Zambezi River God is usually portrayed as female.

The Zambezi river god is described as having the body of a snake and the head of a fish. It is also described as a whirlpool or a river dragon, the Nyami Nyami is seen as the God of Zambezi Valley and the Zambezi River before the creation of the Kariba Dam. It can be found as pendants on jewellery, usually carved out of wood, stone or bone, occasionally ivory, silver or gold as a fashion accessory and as a good luck charm.

Zambezi River Dam

The Kariba Dam is a hydroelectric dam in the Kariba Gorge region of the Zambezi river basin between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is one of the largest dams in the world, standing 128 m (420 ft) tall and 579 m (1,900 ft) long.

How deep is the Zambezi River

The Luangwa and the Kafue are the two largest left-hand tributaries of the Zambezi. The Kafue joins the main river in a quiet deep stream about 180 metres (590 ft) wide. From this point the northward bend of the Zambezi is checked and the stream continues due east. At the confluence of the Luangwa (15°37′ S) it enters Mozambique.

Zambezi River Queen

The Zambezi Queen luxury African safari is located along the banks of the great Chobe River, the Zambezi Queen, affectionately known as the ZQ, offers world-class sophistication in one of the most remote locations on earth. It has only 14 suites, and is comfortable and elegant. In fact, it is the last word in Luxury African River Safaris.

The Mwambashi River Lodge offers something different. A genuine African Wildlife experience, in a comfortable and romantic luxury lodge on the banks of the Zambezi River.

Zambezi River Victoria Falls

Victoria falls Zambezi River, or Mosi-oa-Tunya (Tokaleya Tonga language for: the Smoke that Thunders), is a waterfall in southern Africa on the Zambezi River at the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Zambezi River Authority

Is the premier organ for harnessing and managing the Zambezi waters for economic and social development. More info here: http://www.zaraho.org.zm/

The Zambezi River Zimbabwe and Zambia

Part of the Zambezi River forms the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe for about 500kms. Running for a length of 2700kms, the River starts as an insignificant little spring in the corner of north-west Zambia in the Mwinilunga District.

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.

As it turns to an easterly direction it forms the border between Zambia and Namibia. Eventually the Zambezi River joins up with the Chobe River in the Caprivi Swamps, briefly forming a border with Botswana.

For the next 500kms it serves as the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe thundering over the Victoria Falls. The Zambezi River then flows through the narrow Batoka Gorge, providing a fantastic playground for white water rafting, kayaking, river boarding and jet boating. From here the steep sides of the gorge eventually flatten out at the broad Gwembe Valley. Then it flows into the Kariba dam for 281kms – it’s width at one point is 40kms.

Here it is flanked by the Lower Zambezi National Park on the Zambian side and Mana Pools National Park on the Zimbabwean side. This middle zone supports one of Africa’s most important wilderness areas.

After the Luangwa confluence, it’s a much larger Zambezi that flows into Mozambique and out towards the Indian Ocean, having provided power, food, pleasure and transport for many and a home for untold numbers of wildlife along it’s journey.

The Mwambashi River Lodge on the Zambezi

The Mwambashi River Lodge is ideally situated on the banks of the Zambesi River near the confluence of the Mwambashi River and the Zambezi River. See the map below.
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