List of estuaries of South Africa

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False Bay, Lake St Lucia False Bay, Lake St Lucia.jpg
False Bay, Lake St Lucia

This is a list of estuaries in South Africa. The list is in order from East (border with Mozambique) to the West (border with Namibia).

Contents

The South African coastline stretches for some 3000 km from Kosi Bay near the Mozambique border in the east to the Gariep (Orange) River at the Namibian border in the west. Some 300 river outlets intersect this coastline and these range from small water bodies that are only occasionally connected to the ocean, to large, permanently open systems, and coastal lakes connected to the sea via a narrow channel (Heydorn, 1991). Being places where rivers meet the sea, estuaries are one of the most important features of the South African coastline; they are tranquil areas of high productivity and play a vital role in the life cycles of many plants and animals. Apart from their ecological importance, estuaries are also popular sites for human activity and development. Recreational uses of estuaries include bait collection, bird watching, boating, fishing and swimming. Because of their great aesthetic value, areas around estuaries are often favoured for housing and tourist developments.

List of estuaries in South Africa

Map all coordinates using: OpenStreetMap
NameDrainage area in Km²Province and locationRiver NameCoördinatesSummary / Remarks
Kosi Bay Estuary 304 KwaZulu-Natal, border Mozambique 26°54′S32°52′E / 26.900°S 32.867°E / -26.900; 32.867 Kosi Bay (26° 54' S; 32° 53’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated on the east (KwaZulu-Natal) coast near the Mozambique border. This system has a catchment area of approximately 304 km2.
St Lucia Estuary 9542 KwaZulu-Natal, Richards Bay 28°23′S32°25′E / 28.383°S 32.417°E / -28.383; 32.417 The St Lucia estuary (28° 23' S; 32° 25’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated north of the coastal town of Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal. It is the largest estuarine system in the country and has a catchment area of approximately 9 542 km2.
Mfolozi/Msunduzi Estuary 11068 KwaZulu-Natal, Richards Bay Mfolozi River, and Msunduzi River 28°24′S32°25′E / 28.400°S 32.417°E / -28.400; 32.417 The Mfolozi/Msunduzi estuary (28° 24' S; 32° 25’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is located north of the coastal town of Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal. This system has a catchment area of approximately 11 068 km2.
Richards Bay/Mhlathuze Estuary 3670 KwaZulu-Natal, Richards Bay Mhlathuze River 28°51′S32°03′E / 28.850°S 32.050°E / -28.850; 32.050 The Richards Bay/Mhlathuze system (28° 51' S; 32° 03’E) is situated at the coastal town of Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal. Prior to the construction of a deep-water harbour in the 1970s, the system comprised a large shallow, expanse of water, fed primarily by the Mhlathuze River, with a catchment area of approximately 3670 km2. The system today consists two separate components, a harbour (Richards Bay) and a sanctuary area (Mhlathuze estuary) into which the Mhlathuze River flows. The harbour and sanctuary are separated by a 4 km long causeway or berm and each has its own separate opening to the sea. Both drain into the Indian Ocean.
Mlalazi Estuary 492 KwazUlu-Natal, Richards Bay Mlalazi River 28°57′S31°49′E / 28.950°S 31.817°E / -28.950; 31.817 The Mlalazi estuary (28° 57' S; 31° 49’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is located just south of Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal. The river is approximately 54 km long with a catchment area of 492 km2.
Matigulu/Nyoni Estuary 900 KwazUlu-Natal, Richards Bay Matigulu River and Nyoni River 29°05′S31°38′E / 29.083°S 31.633°E / -29.083; 31.633 The Matigulu/Nyoni system (29° 05' S; 31° 38’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated south of Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal. This system drains a catchment area of over 900 km2.
Thukela (tugela) Estuary 29101 KwaZulu-Natal, between Richards Bay and Durban Tugela River 29°13′S31°30′E / 29.217°S 31.500°E / -29.217; 31.500 The Thukela system (29° 13' S; 31° 30’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated in KwaZulu-Natal, approximately midway between Richards Bay and the coastal city of Durban. The Thukela is the largest river system in KwaZulu-Natal. The river is approximately 405 km long with a catchment area of 29 101 km2.
Mvoti Estuary 2829 KwaZulu-Natal, north of Durban Mvoti River 29°24′S31°20′E / 29.400°S 31.333°E / -29.400; 31.333 The Mvoti estuary (29° 24' S; 31° 20’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated north of the coastal city of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. The river is approximately 197 km long with a catchment area of 2 829 km2.
Mgeni Estuary 4432 KwaZulu-Natal, Durban Mgeni River 29°48′S31°02′E / 29.800°S 31.033°E / -29.800; 31.033 The Mgeni estuary (29° 48' S; 31° 02’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated near the coastal city of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. The river is approximately 232 km long with a catchment area of 4 432 km2.
Durban Bay 264 KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 29°52′S31°04′E / 29.867°S 31.067°E / -29.867; 31.067 Durban Bay (29° 52' S; 31° 04’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is located in the coastal city of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. This important industrial harbour has a catchment area of approximately 264 km2.
Mkomazi Estuary 4310 KwaZulu-Natal, south of Durban Mkomazi River 30°12′S30°48′E / 30.200°S 30.800°E / -30.200; 30.800 The Mkomazi estuary (30° 12' S; 30° 48’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and lies south of the city of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. The river is approximately 298 km long with a catchment area of 4 310 km2.
Mzimkulu Estuary 6745 KwaZulu-Natal, Port Shepstone Mzimkulu River 30°44′S30°27′E / 30.733°S 30.450°E / -30.733; 30.450 The Mzimkulu estuary (30° 44' S; 30° 27’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated near the coastal town of Port Shepstone in KwaZulu-Natal. The river is approximately 329 km long with a catchment area

of 6 745 km2.

Mtavuna Estuary 1553 KwaZulu-Natal, south of Port Edward Mtamvuna River 31°04′S30°12′E / 31.067°S 30.200°E / -31.067; 30.200 The Mtamvuna estuary (31° 04' S; 30° 12’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated just south of the coastal town of Port Edward at the KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape provincial border. The river is approximately 162 km long with a catchment area of 1 553 km2.
Mzamba Estuary 505 Eastern Cape, south of Port Edward Mzamba River 31°06′S30°10′E / 31.100°S 30.167°E / -31.100; 30.167 The Mzamba estuary (31° 06' S; 30° 10’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape, just south of Port Edward near the KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape provincial border. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 505 km2.
Mtentu Estuary 965 Eastern Cape, north of Port St Johns Mtentu River 31°15′S30°03′E / 31.250°S 30.050°E / -31.250; 30.050 The Mtentu estuary (31° 15' S; 30° 03’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated north of the coastal town of Port St Johns on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 965 km2.
Msikaba Estuary 1011 Eastern Cape, north of Port St Johns Msikaba River 31°18′S29°58′E / 31.300°S 29.967°E / -31.300; 29.967 The Msikaba system (31° 18' S; 29° 58’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and lies north of the coastal town of Port St Johns on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 1 011 km2.
Mzintlava Estuary 280 Eastern Cape, north of Port St Johns Mzintlava River 31°32′S29°41′E / 31.533°S 29.683°E / -31.533; 29.683 The Mzintlava estuary (31° 32' S; 29° 41’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated north of the coastal town of Port St Johns on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 280 km2.
Mntafufu Estuary 178 Eastern Cape, north of Port St Johns Mntafufu River 31°34′S29°38′E / 31.567°S 29.633°E / -31.567; 29.633 The Mntafufu estuary (31° 34' S; 29° 38’E) lies north of the coastal town of Port St Johns on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 178 km2.
Mzimvubu Estuary 19853 Eastern Cape, Port St Johns Mzimvubu River 31°38′S29°33′E / 31.633°S 29.550°E / -31.633; 29.550 The Mzimvubu estuary (31° 38' S; 29° 33’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated near the coastal town of Port St Johns on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 19 853 km2.
Mngazi Estuary 561 Eastern Cape, south of Port St Johns Mngazi River 31°41′S29°27′E / 31.683°S 29.450°E / -31.683; 29.450 The Mngazi estuary (31° 41' S; 29° 27’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and lies just south of the coastal town of Port St Johns on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 561 km2.
Mngazana Estuary 285 Eastern Cape, south of Port St Johns Mngazana River 31°42′S29°25′E / 31.700°S 29.417°E / -31.700; 29.417 The Mngazana estuary (31° 42' S; 29° 25’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated south of the town of Port St Johns on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 285 km2.
Mtakatye Estuary 493 Eastern Cape, south of Port St Johns Mtakatye River 31°51′S29°16′E / 31.850°S 29.267°E / -31.850; 29.267 The Mtakatye estuary (31° 51' S; 29° 16’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and lies south of the coastal town of Port St Johns on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 493 km2.
Mdumbi Estuary 2338 Eastern Cape, south of Port St Johns Mdumbi River 31°56′S29°13′E / 31.933°S 29.217°E / -31.933; 29.217 The Mdumbi estuary (31° 56' S; 29° 13’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated south of the coastal town of Port St Johns on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 2 338 km2.
Mtata Estuary 2585 Eastern Cape, south of Port St Johns Mtata River 31°57′S29°10′E / 31.950°S 29.167°E / -31.950; 29.167 The Mtata estuary (31° 57' S; 29° 10’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and lies south of the coastal town of Port St Johns on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 2 585 km2.
Xora Estuary 438 Eastern Cape, south of Port St Johns Xora River 32°10′S29°00′E / 32.167°S 29.000°E / -32.167; 29.000 The Xora estuary (32° 10' S; 29° 00’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated south of the coastal town of Port St Johns on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 438 km2.
Mbashe Estuary 6030 Eastern Cape, south of Port St Johns Mbashe River 32°15′S28°54′E / 32.250°S 28.900°E / -32.250; 28.900 The Mbashe estuary (32° 15' S; 28° 54’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated south of the coastal town of Port St Johns on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 6 030 km2.
Nqabara Estuary 578 Eastern Cape, south of Port St Johns Nqabara River 32°20′S28°47′E / 32.333°S 28.783°E / -32.333; 28.783 The Nqabara estuary (32° 20' S; 28° 47’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and lies south of the coastal town of Port St Johns on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 578 km2.
Shixini Estuary 332 Eastern Cape, south of Port St Johns Shixini River 32°24′S28°43′E / 32.400°S 28.717°E / -32.400; 28.717 The Shixini system (32° 24' S; 28° 43’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and lies south of the coastal town of Port St Johns on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 332 km2.
Qora Estuary 700 Eastern Cape, south of Port St Johns Qora River 32°27′S28°40′E / 32.450°S 28.667°E / -32.450; 28.667 The Qora estuary (32° 27' S; 28° 40’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated south of the coastal town of Port St Johns on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 700 km2.
Nggusi/Inxaxo Estuary 134 Eastern Cape, south of Port St Johns Nggusi River and Inxaxo River 32°35′S28°31′E / 32.583°S 28.517°E / -32.583; 28.517 The Ngqusi/Inxaxo system (32° 35' S; 28° 31’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated south of the coastal town of Port St Johns on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. This system drains a total catchment area of approximately 134 km2.
Kobonqaba Estuary 321 Eastern Cape, south of Port St Johns Kobonqaba River 32°36′S28°29′E / 32.600°S 28.483°E / -32.600; 28.483 The Kobonqaba estuary (32° 36' S; 28° 29’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape, south of Port St Johns. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 321 km2.
Great Kei Estuary 20566 Eastern Cape, north of East London Great Kei River 32°41′S28°23′E / 32.683°S 28.383°E / -32.683; 28.383 The Great Kei estuary (32° 41' S; 28° 23’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated north of the coastal city of East London and forms the southern border of the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. The river is approximately 520 km long with a catchment area of 20 566 km2.
Kwelera Estuary 418 Eastern Cape, north of East London Kwelera River 32°55′S28°05′E / 32.917°S 28.083°E / -32.917; 28.083 The Kwelera estuary (32° 55' S; 28° 05’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated north of the coastal city of East London in the Eastern Cape. The river is approximately 86 km long with a catchment area of 418 km2.
Gqunube Estuary 665 Eastern Cape, north of East London Gqunube River 32°56′S28°02′E / 32.933°S 28.033°E / -32.933; 28.033 The Gqunube estuary (32° 56' S; 28° 02’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and lies just north of the coastal city of East London in the Eastern Cape. The river is approximately 109 km long with a catchment area of 665 km2.
Nahoon Estuary 548 Eastern Cape, East London Nahoon River 32°59′S27°57′E / 32.983°S 27.950°E / -32.983; 27.950 The Nahoon estuary (32° 59' S; 27° 57’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated near the coastal city of East London in the Eastern Cape. The river is approximately 77 km long with a catchment area of 584 km2.
Buffalo Estuary 1279 Eastern Cape, East London Buffalo River 33°02′S27°55′E / 33.033°S 27.917°E / -33.033; 27.917 The Buffalo estuary (33° 02' S; 27° 55’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated at the coastal city of East London in the Eastern Cape. The river is approximately 133 km long with a catchment area of 1 279 km2.
Tyolomnqa Estuary 441 Eastern Cape, southwest of East London Tyolomnqa River 33°14′S27°35′E / 33.233°S 27.583°E / -33.233; 27.583 The Tyolomnqa estuary (33° 14' S; 27° 35’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and lies southwest of the coastal city of East London and forms the northern border of the former Ciskei coast of the Eastern Cape. The river is approximately 78 km long with a catchment area of 441 km2.
Keiskamma Estuary 2745 Eastern Cape, between East London and Port Alfred Keiskamma River 33°17′S27°29′E / 33.283°S 27.483°E / -33.283; 27.483 The Keiskamma estuary (33° 17' S; 27° 29’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is found on the former Ciskei coast of the Eastern Cape and is situated approximately midway between the City of East London in the north and the coastal town of Port Alfred in the south. The river is approximately 263 km long with a catchment area of 2 745 km2.
Great Fish Estuary 30366 Eastern Cape, near Port Alfred Great Fish River 33°30′S27°08′E / 33.500°S 27.133°E / -33.500; 27.133 The Great Fish estuary (33° 30' S; 27° 08’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated northeast of the coastal town of Port Alfred and forms the southern border of the former Ciskei coast of the Eastern Cape. The river is approximately 730 km long with a catchment area of 30 366 km2.
Kowie Estuary 800 Eastern Cape, Port Alfred Kowie River 33°36′S26°54′E / 33.600°S 26.900°E / -33.600; 26.900 The Kowie estuary (33° 36' S; 26° 54’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is located at the coastal town of Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape. The river is approximately 94 km long with a catchment area of 800 km2.
Kariega Estuary 685 Eastern Cape, Port Alfred Kariega River 33°41′S26°44′E / 33.683°S 26.733°E / -33.683; 26.733 The Kariega estuary (33° 41' S; 26° 44’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated southwest of the coastal town of Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape. The river is approximately 138 km long with a catchment area of

685 km2.

Bushmans Estuary 2675 Eastern Cape, southwest of Port Alfred Bushmans River 33°42′S26°40′E / 33.700°S 26.667°E / -33.700; 26.667 The Bushmans system (33° 42' S; 26° 40’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated southwest of the coastal town of Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape. The river is approximately 293 km long with a catchment area of 2 675 km2.
Sundays Estuary 20990 Eastern Cape, northeast of Port Elizabeth Sundays River 33°43′S25°51′E / 33.717°S 25.850°E / -33.717; 25.850 The Sundays estuary (33° 43' S; 25° 51’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is located northeast of the coastal city of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. The river is approximately 481 km long with a catchment area of 20 990 km2.
Swartkops Estuary 1303 Eastern Cape, Port Elizabeth Swartkops River 33°52′S25°38′E / 33.867°S 25.633°E / -33.867; 25.633 The Swartkops estuary (33° 52' S; 25° 38’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated near the coastal city of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. The river is approximately 134 km long with a catchment area of 1 303 km2.
Gamtoos Estuary 34635 Eastern Cape, west of Port Elizabeth Gamtoos River 33°58′S25°04′E / 33.967°S 25.067°E / -33.967; 25.067 The Gamtoos estuary (33° 58' S; 25° 04’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and lies to the west of the coastal city of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. The river is approximately 645 km long with a catchment area of 34 635 km2.
Kromme Estuary 1085 Eastern Cape, west of Port Elizabeth Krom River 34°09′S24°51′E / 34.150°S 24.850°E / -34.150; 24.850 The Kromme estuary (34° 09' S; 24° 51’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and lies to the west of the coastal city of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. The river is approximately 109 km long with a catchment area of 1 085 km2.
Keurbooms Estuary 1080 Western Cape, near Plettenberg Bay Keurbooms River 34°02′S23°23′E / 34.033°S 23.383°E / -34.033; 23.383 The Keurbooms system (34° 02' S; 23° 23’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is located in the Western Cape province near the coastal town of Plettenberg Bay. The river is approximately 85 km long with a catchment area of 1 080 km2.
Knysna Estuary and Harbour 525 Western Cape, Knysna Knysna River 34°05′S23°04′E / 34.083°S 23.067°E / -34.083; 23.067 The Knysna estuary (34° 05' S; 23° 04’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated near the coastal town of the Knysna in the Western Cape. The river is approximately 60 km long with a catchment area of 525 km2.
Swartvlei Estuary 455 Western Cape, between Knysna and Mossel Bay Sedgefield River 34°00′S22°48′E / 34.000°S 22.800°E / -34.000; 22.800 The Swartvlei system (34° 00' S; 22° 48’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is located on the Sedgefield River, approximately midway between the coastal towns of Knysna and Mossel Bay in the Western Cape. The river is approximately 38 km long with a catchment area of 455 km2.
Gourits Estuary 45715 Western Cape, southwest of Mossel Bay Goutitz River 34°21′S22°33′E / 34.350°S 22.550°E / -34.350; 22.550 }The Gourits estuary (34° 21' S; 22° 33’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and lies southwest of the coastal town of Mossel Bay in the Western Cape. The river is approximately 416 km long with a catchment area of 45 715 km2.
Goukou Estuary (kafferkuils)1550 Western Cape, west of Mossel Bay Goukou River 34°23′S21°25′E / 34.383°S 21.417°E / -34.383; 21.417 The Goukou system (34° 23' S; 21° 25’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and lies west of the coastal town of Mossel Bay in the Western Cape. The river is approximately 67 km long with a catchment area of 1 550 km2.
Duiwenhoks Estuary 1340 Western Cape, west of Mossel Bay Duiwenhoks River 34°22′S21°00′E / 34.367°S 21.000°E / -34.367; 21.000 The Duiwenhoks estuary (34° 22' S; 21° 00’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated west of the coastal town of Mossel Bay in the Western Cape. The river is approximately 83 km long with a catchment area of 1 340 km2.
Breë Estuary 12384 Western Cape, west of Mossel Bay Bree River 34°24′S20°51′E / 34.400°S 20.850°E / -34.400; 20.850 The Breë estuary (34° 24' S; 20° 51’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and lies west of the coastal town of Mossel Bay in the Western Cape, near Cape Infanta. The river is approximately 337 km long with a catchment area of 12 384 km2.
Heuningnes Estuary 1400 Western Cape, Cape Agulhas Heuningnes River 34°42′S20°07′E / 34.700°S 20.117°E / -34.700; 20.117 The Heuningnes system (34° 43' S; 20° 07’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is the southernmost estuary in South Africa, situated near Cape Agulhas. The catchment area that feeds this system is approximately 1 400 km2.
Klein Estuary 906 Western Cape, near Hermanus Klein River 34°25′S19°18′E / 34.417°S 19.300°E / -34.417; 19.300 The Klein estuary (34° 25' S; 19° 18’E) drains into the Atlantic Ocean, and is located near the coastal town of Hermanus in the Western Cape. The river is approximately 66 km long with a catchment area of 906 km2.
Bot Estuary 920 Western Cape, northwest of Hermanus Bot River 34°21′S19°05′E / 34.350°S 19.083°E / -34.350; 19.083 The Bot system (34° 21' S; 19° 05’E) drains into the Atlantic Ocean, and is situated just northwest of the coastal town of Hermanus in the Western Cape. The river is approximately 54 km long with a catchment area of 920 km2.
Palmiet Estuary 535 Western Cape, west of Hermanus Plamiet River 34°21′S19°00′E / 34.350°S 19.000°E / -34.350; 19.000 }The Palmiet estuary (34° 21' S; 19° 00’E) drains into the Atlantic Ocean, and is located west of the coastal town of Hermanus in the Western Cape. The river is approximately 73 km long with a catchment area of 535 km2.
Diep Estuary 1495 Western Cape, near Cape Town Diep River 33°53′S18°28′E / 33.883°S 18.467°E / -33.883; 18.467 The Diep estuary (33° 53' S; 18° 28’E) drains into the Atlantic Ocean, and is situated near the coastal city of Cape Town in the Western Cape. The river is approximately 87 km long with a catchment area of 1 495 km2.
Berg Estuary 7715 Western Cape, north of Cape Town Berg River 32°46′S18°09′E / 32.767°S 18.150°E / -32.767; 18.150 The Berg estuary (32° 46' S; 18° 09’E) drains into the Atlantic Ocean, and is located in the Western Cape and is found on the west coast, north of the coastal city of Cape Town, in fact north of Saldanha Bay. The river is approximately 294 km long with a catchment area of 7 715 km2.
Verloren Estuary 1895 Western Cape, north of Cape Town Verlorenvlei River 32°19′S18°20′E / 32.317°S 18.333°E / -32.317; 18.333 The Verlore system (32° 19' S; 18° 20’E) is located in the Western Cape and is found on the west coast, north of the coastal city of Cape Town, south of Lamberts Bay. The river is approximately 101 km long with a catchment area of 1 895 km2.
Olifants Estuary 46220 Western Cape, north of Cape Town Olifants River 31°42′S18°11′E / 31.700°S 18.183°E / -31.700; 18.183 The Olifants estuary (31° 42' S; 18° 11’E) is located in the Western Cape and is found on the west coast, north of the coastal city of Cape Town, north of Lamberts Bay. The river is approximately 285 km long with a catchment area of 46 220 km2.
Orange Estuary (Gariep)549,700 Northern Cape border Namibia north of Port Nolloth Orange River 28°38′S16°27′E / 28.633°S 16.450°E / -28.633; 16.450 The Gariep (Orange) system (28° 38' S; 16° 27’E) is situated just north of the coastal town of Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape and forms the border between South Africa and Namibia. The Gariep (Orange) River is the largest in southern Africa and drains most of the western part of southern Africa including parts of Namibia and Lesotho. The river is approximately 2 173 km with a catchment area of about 549,700 km2.

See also

The Knysna Estuary Knysna Lagoon 3.jpg
The Knysna Estuary

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Tanzania comprises many lakes, national parks, and Africa's highest point, Mount Kilimanjaro. Northeast Tanzania is mountainous, while the central area is part of a large plateau covered in grasslands. The country also contains the southern portion of Lake Victoria on its northern border with Uganda and Kenya.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geography of Zambia</span>

Zambia is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa, to the east of Angola. It has a total area of 752,618 square kilometres, of which 9 220 km2 is water.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geography of Madagascar</span> Overview of the geography of Madagascar

Madagascar is a large island in the Indian Ocean off the eastern coast of Southern Africa, east of Mozambique. It has a total area of 587,040 square kilometres (226,660 sq mi) with 581,540 square kilometres (224,530 sq mi) of land and 5,500 square kilometres (2,100 sq mi) of water. Madagascar is the fourth-largest island and the second-largest island country in the world. The highest point is Maromokotro, in the Tsaratanana Massif region in the north of the island, at 2,876 metres (9,436 ft). The capital Antananarivo is in the Central Highlands near the centre of the island. It has the 25th largest exclusive economic zone of 1,225,259 km2 (473,075 sq mi). Madagascar is 400 kilometres east of mainland Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geography of Malawi</span> Geographical features of Malawi

Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa. It is wholly within the tropics; from about 9°30S at its northernmost point to about 17°S at the southernmost tip. The country occupies a thin strip of land between Zambia and Mozambique, extending southwards into Mozambique along the valley of the Shire River. In the north and north east it also shares a border with Tanzania. Malawi is connected by rail to the Mozambican ports of Nacala and Beira. It lies between latitudes 9° and 18°S, and longitudes 32° and 36°E.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geography of South Africa</span>

South Africa occupies the southern tip of Africa, its coastline stretching more than 2,850 kilometres from the desert border with Namibia on the Atlantic (western) coast southwards around the tip of Africa and then northeast to the border with Mozambique on the Indian Ocean. The low-lying coastal zone is narrow for much of that distance, soon giving way to a mountainous escarpment that separates the coast from the high inland plateau. In some places, notably the province of KwaZulu-Natal in the east, a greater distance separates the coast from the escarpment. Although much of the country is classified as semi-arid, it has considerable variation in climate as well as topography. The total land area is 1,220,813 km2 (471,359 sq mi). It has the 23rd largest Exclusive Economic Zone of 1,535,538 km2 (592,875 sq mi).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dyfed</span> Preserved county of Wales

Dyfed is a preserved county in southwestern Wales. It is a mostly rural area with a coastline on the Irish Sea and the Bristol Channel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zambezi</span> Major river in southern Africa

The Zambezi is the fourth-longest river in Africa, the longest east-flowing river in Africa and the largest flowing into the Indian Ocean from Africa. Its drainage basin covers 1,390,000 km2 (540,000 sq mi), slightly less than half of the Nile's. The 2,574-kilometre-long (1,599 mi) river rises in Zambia and flows through eastern Angola, along the north-eastern border of Namibia and the northern border of Botswana, then along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe to Mozambique, where it crosses the country to empty into the Indian Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Namib</span> Desert in Southern Africa

The Namib is a coastal desert in Southern Africa. According to the broadest definition, the Namib stretches for more than 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) along the Atlantic coasts of Angola, Namibia, and northwest South Africa, extending southward from the Carunjamba River in Angola, through Namibia and to the Olifants River in Western Cape, South Africa. The Namib's northernmost portion, which extends 450 kilometres (280 mi) from the Angola-Namibia border, is known as Moçâmedes Desert, while its southern portion approaches the neighboring Kalahari Desert. From the Atlantic coast eastward, the Namib gradually ascends in elevation, reaching up to 200 kilometres (120 mi) inland to the foot of the Great Escarpment. Annual precipitation ranges from 2 millimetres (0.079 in) in the aridest regions to 200 millimetres (7.9 in) at the escarpment, making the Namib the only true desert in southern Africa. Having endured arid or semi-arid conditions for roughly 55–80 million years, the Namib may be the oldest desert in the world and contains some of the world's driest regions, with only western South America's Atacama Desert to challenge it for age and aridity benchmarks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Landlocked country</span> Country with no ocean coastline

A landlocked country is a country that does not have territory connected to an ocean or whose coastlines lie solely on endorheic basins. There are currently 44 landlocked countries, 2 of them doubly landlocked, and 4 landlocked de facto states. Kazakhstan is the world's largest landlocked country, while Ethiopia is the world's most populous landlocked country.

iSimangaliso Wetland Park South Africas third-largest protected area, spanning 280 km of coastline

iSimangaliso Wetland Park is situated on the east coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, about 235 km (146 mi) north of Durban by road. It is South Africa's third-largest protected area, spanning 280 km (170 mi) of coastline, from the Mozambican border in the north to Mapelane south of the Lake St. Lucia estuary, and made up of around 3,280 km2 of natural ecosystems, managed by the iSimangaliso Authority. The park includes:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geography of England</span> Geographical features of England

England comprises most of the central and southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain, in addition to a number of small islands of which the largest is the Isle of Wight. England is bordered to the north by Scotland and to the west by Wales. It is closer to continental Europe than any other part of mainland Britain, divided from France only by a 33 km (21 mi) sea gap, the English Channel. The 50 km (31 mi) Channel Tunnel, near Folkestone, directly links England to mainland Europe. The English/French border is halfway along the tunnel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kosi Bay</span>

Kosi Bay is a series of four interlinked lakes in the Maputaland area of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern Africa mangroves</span> Ecoregion of mangrove swamps in rivers and estuaries on the eastern coast of South Africa

The Southern Africa mangroves are mangrove ecoregion on the Mozambique's southernmost coast and the eastern coast of South Africa.

The Peace Park Foundation, founded in 1997 by Dr Anton Rupert, President Nelson Mandela and Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, is an organization that aims to re-establish, renew and conserve large ecosystems in Africa, transcending man-made boundaries by creating regionally integrated and sustainably managed networks of Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs). Peace Parks Foundation has been involved in the establishment and development of ten of the 18 TFCAs found throughout southern Africa, all of which are in various stages of development. The establishment of each TFCA, or peace park, is complex and far-reaching, and involves several phases of activity, which can take many years to achieve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Albanian Adriatic Sea Coast</span>

The Albanian Adriatic Sea Coast stretches in the Southeastern Adriatic Sea beginning at the Gulf of Drin in the north, across the port cities of Shëngjin, Durrës and Vlorë, to the Bay of Vlorë in the south, where the Albanian Riviera as well as the Albanian Ionian Sea Coast begins.

The Urema Valley, also known as the Urema Graben, is a lowland valley in Sofala Province of central Mozambique.

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