Letaba River

The Letaba River (Afrikaans: Letabarivier), also known as Leţaba, Lehlaba or Ritavi, is a river located in eastern Limpopo Province, South Africa. It is one of the most important tributaries of the Olifants River.

Letaba River
View of the Letaba River
Location of the Letaba River's mouth
EtymologyMeaning "sandy river" in Northern Sotho language[1]
Native nameRitavi
Location
CountrySouth Africa
RegionLimpopo Province
Physical characteristics
Source 
  locationGauteng Province
2nd source 
  locationSoutpansberg
MouthOlifants River
  location
Limpopo Province
  coordinates
23°59′22″S 31°49′36″E
Basin size67,000 km2 (26,000 sq mi)
Basin features
Tributaries 
  leftNharhweni River, Ngwenyeni River, Klein Letaba River, Molototsi River, Nsama River
  rightGroot Letaba River, Nwanedzi River, Makhadzi River

Course

It starts at the confluence of the Groot Letaba River and Klein Letaba River, whence they continue their journey eastwards through the Lowveld as the Letaba River. It joins the Olifants River in the foothills of the Lebombo Mountains, near South Africa's border with Mozambique. In Mozambique the latter river is called the Rio Elefantes.

Tributaries include the Middle Letaba River, Nharhweni River, Ngwenyeni River, Nwanedzi River, Molototsi River, Nsama River and Makhadzi River.

Dams in the basin

Game animals along its banks, near Letaba camp, central Kruger Park

See also

References

  1. Jenkins, Elwyn (2007), Falling into place: the story of modern South African place names, David Philip Publishers, p. 75


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