Top 10 largest rivers in Africa

Last updated on January 15th, 2024 at 10:08 am

Africa is the second-largest continent in the world. Africa is blessed with several largest rivers. Two of the most famous rivers in the world are in Africa. In this article, we will be measuring the size of the top 10 largest rivers in Africa based on their length. 

1. Nile River

The Nile is the largest river in Africa by length, measuring 4,100 miles long. The Nile River flows through 10 countries across Africa, covering Egypt, Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi.

2. Congo River

The Congo River is the second-largest river in Africa by length, measuring 2,900 miles long. The Congo River is also the deepest river in the world. 

3. Niger River

The Niger River is the third-largest river in Africa, measuring 2,600 miles long. The river flows through Benin, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria. It is home to 243 fish species. It is also the main river of West Africa.

4. Zambezi River

The Zambezi River is the fourth-largest river in Africa, measuring 2,200 miles long. It is home to Nile crocodiles, hippopotamuses, monitor lizards, catfish, yellowfish, cichlids, tigerfish, and bull sharks.

5. Ubangi-Uele River

Ubangi-Uele River is the fifth-largest river in Africa, measuring 1,410 miles long. It is a river in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It also joins the Congo River at Liranga.

6. Kasai River

Kasai River is the sixth-largest river in Africa, measuring 1,338 miles long. It is located in Central Africa. It begins in central Angola and flows to the east until it reaches the border between Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

7. Orange River

The Orange River is the seventh-largest river in Africa, measuring 1,300 miles long. It is the largest river in South Africa. The river extends from Lesotho into South Africa and Namibia to the north.

8. Shebelle River

The Shebelle River is the eighth-largest river in Africa, measuring 1,130 miles long. The river begins in the highlands of Ethiopia and flows southeast into Somalia towards Mogadishu.

9. Lualaba River

The Lualaba River is the ninth-largest river in Africa, measuring 1,100 miles long. It flows entirely within the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It is home to freshwater elephant fish, African tetras and cichlids.

10. The Kwango

The Kwango is the tenth-largest river in Africa, measuring 1,100 miles long. It flows through Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is a major target for alluvial diamonds. It begins in the highlands of Alto Chicapa, a town and commune of Angola.