Researchers have discovered that the Zambezi river actually begins in Angola, not Zambia as was previously believed. They have also found that the river is about 10% longer than earlier estimates.
Scientists from The Wilderness Project, which was created in 2018 to study African freshwater systems such as the Okavango Delta in Botswana and Zambezi, have found that more than 70% of the water flowing over the Victoria Falls actually originates in Angola.
To investigate the true source of the river, research teams paddled from the commonly accepted starting point near Kalene Hill in Northwestern province. They also explored the Lungwebungu River in Angola to determine which source was farther from the ocean. Their measurements showed that if the Angolan source is used, the Zambezi is 342km / 213mi longer than previously thought.
The Lungwebungu river begins in the highlands of Angola and flows for about 1 032km / 641mi before joining the Zambezi near Lukulu in Western province.
In 2022 and 2023, researchers from The Wilderness Project, together with the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project and the Wild Bird Trust, paddled the entire length of the Zambezi River.
Based on the new research, the Zambezi is now considered to be 3 421km / 2 126mi long. It remains the fourth-longest river in Africa after the Nile, Congo and Niger rivers.
Cruising the Zambezi with Waterberry Lodge
The Lungwebungu in Angola starts much farther from the ocean than the previously accepted source in Zambia. It begins in an area known as the Angolan Highlands Water Tower, which receives heavy rainfall and feeds several major rivers, providing about 70% of the water that flows into the upper Zambezi.
The Lungwebungu flows through deep sands of the Kalahari, which naturally filter and clean the water. Large wetlands, including those around Cameia National Park, also help purify the water and support the river’s ecosystem.
The Zambezi River Basin covers about 1.37 million square kilometres across eight countries: Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
It is the largest river basin in southern Africa and an important biodiversity hotspot. Scientists have recorded more than 200 species of mammals, 700 of birds, 290 of reptiles and amphibians and 190 species of fish there.
PLACES TO STAY NEAR THE ZAMBEZI RIVER
PHOTOS Waterberry Zambezi Lodge
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