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Cuando River
Cuando River
from Wikipedia
Cuando River
Chobe River at Kasane
The Cuando basin
Location
Countries
Physical characteristics
SourceMount Tembo[1]
 • locationLutuai, Moxico Province, Angola
 • coordinates13°00′08″S 19°07′16″E / 13.00222°S 19.12111°E / -13.00222; 19.12111
 • elevation1,359 m (4,459 ft)
MouthZambezi River
 • location
Caprivi Region, Namibia and Chobe District, Botswana
 • coordinates
18°30′08″S 23°36′58″E / 18.50222°S 23.61611°E / -18.50222; 23.61611
 • elevation
943 m (3,094 ft)
Length731 km (454 mi) [2]
Basin size96,778 km2 (37,366 sq mi)
Basin features
ProgressionZambezi RiverIndian Ocean

The Cuando (or Kwando) is a river in south-central Africa flowing through Angola and Namibia's Caprivi Strip and into the Linyanti Swamp on the northern border of Botswana.[3] Below the swamp, the river is called the Linyanti River and, farther east, the Chobe River,[4] before it flows into the Zambezi River.

Course

[edit]
A bit of Namibia as seen from the Linyanti River
Sunset over the Chobe River in Botswana's Chobe National Park
Aerial photo of the confluence of the Kuando (Chobe) River (centre left) and the Zambezi River at Kazungula (map, 9) looking west, at Africa's "four corners", where Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana meet
Map of the Cuando-Linyanti-Chobe river system in the region of Namibia's Caprivi Strip based on a NASA satellite photo (note orientation with north-west at top). Water shows black. 1 The Cuando River; 2 Caprivi Strip; 3 Mudumu National Park and Lianshulu Lodge, the end of the Linyanti Swamp; 4 Linyanti Swamp and Mamli National Park, where a ridge of Kalahari sand blocks flow to the south-east; 5 Okavango River and delta which sinks into the Kalahari sands; 6 Linyanti River; 7 Lake Liambezi (dry when photo was taken); 8 Chobe River; 9 Confluence of Chobe and Zambezi at Kazungula; 10 Zambezi and Caprivi Swamps were experiencing an extreme flood at the time of the photo
Lake Liambesi

The Cuando rises in the central plateau of Angola on the slopes of Mount Tembo,[5] thence flowing southeast along the Zambian border. Along this reach it flows in a maze of channels in a swampy corridor 5–10 km wide (map 1: the border with Zambia is the eastern bank of this floodplain, not the river channel). As with all rivers in south-central Africa, its flow varies enormously between the rainy season when it floods and may be several kilometres wide, and the dry season when it may disappear into marshes.

The Cuando continues in its marshy channel across the neck of the Caprivi Strip of Namibia (map, 2) and then forms the border between Namibia and Botswana as it continues southeast. Some 10,000 years ago, the Cuando merged with the Okavango River and they flowed south to Lake Makgadikgadi (which is a seasonal wetland in current times[6]), but the land in that area was uplifted. As a consequence the Cuando now meets slightly higher ground (map, 4) and breaks up into many channels and swamps (called the Linyanti Swamp) dotted with alluvial islands, nearly disappearing into the Kalahari sands like the Okavango (map, 5). But instead it has diverted east and has been captured by the Zambezi. The flow turns sharply east, still forming the border with Botswana. In the dry season there are few open channels through the swamps and marshes. Beginning at this point it is known as the Linyanti (map, 6), and after it flows through a seasonal lake, Lake Liambesi (map, 7), it is called the Chobe (map, 8). The river then flows into the Zambezi just above the former Kazungula Ferry (map, 9), now replaced by the Kazungula Bridge.

In years when the Okavango experiences a good flood some of the water escapes east along the normally dry channel of the Magwekwana River (also known as Selinda Spillway) into the Linyanti Swamp, thus entering the Zambezi basin. The Selinda Spillway and the Boteti River are the only outlets of the Okavango basin.

On the north side of the Chobe River are the Caprivi Swamps, on the edge of which is the ruined capital of the Kololo people who conquered Barotseland in the 19th century.

So much of the water of the Cuando, Linyanti and Chobe is lost to evaporation in the various swamps that its contribution to the flow of the Zambezi is very small except in occasional years when it floods excessively.

The perennial river bifurcation of Selinda Spillway (or Magweggana River), on the Cuando River, connects the Kalahari Basin to the Zambezi Basin.[7]

Wildlife

[edit]

The Cuando system is noted for its wildlife and for most of its length the land either side is protected as game reserves or wildlife management areas. Some of these suffered poaching during wars and conflict in Namibia and Angola, but with peace restored in those countries they have the chance of returning to their former state.

The national parks through which the Cuando passes or on which it borders are:

References

[edit]

Sources

[edit]
  • "Afrique Centre et Sud", Carte Routiere et Touristique Michelin, Paris (1996)
  • C. Michael Hogan (2008) Makgadikgadi, ed. A. Burnham, Makgadikgadi Ancient Village or Settlement, The Megalithic Portal and Megalith Map: http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=22373&mode=&order=0
  • Robert Mepham, R. H. Hughes, G. M. Bernacsek (1992) A Directory of African Wetlands, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, United Nations Environment Programme, World Conservation Monitoring Centre, 820 pages ISBN 2-88032-949-3
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The Cuando River, also known as the Kwando River, is a 731-kilometer-long in south-central that originates in the highlands of central and flows generally southeast through and , forming parts of the international borders between and as well as and , before entering the Linyanti Marshes and ultimately joining the River as one of its major tributaries. Spanning a basin of 96,778 square kilometers across , , , and , the river supports approximately 200,000 people through subsistence activities such as farming and fishing, while serving as a vital "linear oasis" in the otherwise arid region. It lies at the heart of the , the world's largest terrestrial transfrontier conservation landscape, fostering rich including savanna elephants, Southern African cheetahs, African wild dogs, zebras, and wildebeests that rely on its wetlands and floodplains for migration corridors and habitats. Ecologically, the Cuando's dynamic flow regime sustains seasonal flooding that nourishes surrounding ecosystems, contributing to the health of the broader River system and supporting ecotourism in protected areas like Namibia's Bwabwata National Park and Botswana's . Despite its relative underdevelopment, the basin faces emerging pressures from climate variability, upstream water abstractions in , and inadequate data for management, earning a "C-" health rating in recent assessments that underscore the need for transboundary cooperation under frameworks like the Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM). In August 2024, WWF and partners launched the Cuando River Basin Integrated Water Resources Management Plan to strengthen such cooperation.

Geography

Course

The Cuando River originates in central near Mount Tembo in , at coordinates approximately 13°00′S 19°07′E and an elevation of about 1,359 m above . From its source, the river flows generally southeast for a total length of 731 km, traversing diverse landscapes including plateaus and floodplains. Along much of its upper course, it forms a 288 km international border between and , marked by swampy corridors and meandering channels up to 10 km wide. Entering , the river passes through the (now ), where it continues southeast and begins forming the border with . This section features broad and supports perennial flow, though seasonal flooding can temporarily widen the river's path. In this reach, the river remains known as the Cuando or Kwando, contributing to the region's systems. Upon crossing fully into , the river enters expansive marshes and changes name to the Linyanti River, flowing through the Linyanti Marshes covering approximately 900 km². Further downstream, it passes Lake Liambezi, a shallow floodplain lake spanning about 300 km², before becoming the Chobe River. The river's course includes the Selinda , a natural channel linking it intermittently to the system. Ultimately, the Chobe River meets the River near Kasane Rapids at an elevation of roughly 943 m, just upstream of the where , , , and converge.

River basin

The Cuando River basin encompasses a total drainage area of 96,778 km², extending across four southern African countries: , , , and . The basin is characterized by its position within the broader Kalahari geological formation, where the river originates in the highland Bié Plateau of central at elevations around 1,400 meters. As it flows southeastward, the terrain gradually flattens toward 930 meters at the Linyanti Swamps and Lake Liambezi, transitioning from the Angolan plateau through expansive Kalahari sands into broad floodplains measuring 5 to 15 km wide, featuring meandering channels, oxbow lakes, and seasonal wetlands that span approximately 3,450 km² over a 500 km stretch. Major tributaries originate primarily in , with the Luiana River serving as the principal contributor to the Cuando's flow, alongside smaller streams such as the Kembo, Cubangui, Cussivi, Cueio, Lomba, Cubia, Luengue, and Utembo, many of which are ephemeral and recharge the system during wet periods. These inputs sustain the river's upper reaches while supporting intermittent lower sections. The basin's physiography supports a mix of woodlands, open grasslands, and baikiaea-burkea woodlands, with the floodplains acting as vital corridors for migration. Soils across the basin are predominantly sandy and nutrient-poor, dominated by arenosols derived from Kalahari substrates, which exhibit low fertility and water-holding capacity, alongside ferralsols that are acidic and leached, and fluvisols in alluvial marshy areas with accumulations. These soil types contribute to the basin's low agricultural productivity, with crop yields such as at around 700 kg/ha and millet at 300 kg/ha among the lowest in . The climate is tropical , with annual rainfall decreasing southward from 1,000–1,200 mm in the northern Angolan highlands to 600–800 mm in the southern reaches, concentrated in a warm from to April, followed by cool dry winters; high evaporation rates exceeding 2,500 mm/year further influence the hydrological dynamics and seasonal formation.

Hydrology

Flow regime

The flow regime of the Cuando River, also known as the Kwando River, is dominated by seasonal variations tied to rainfall in its Angolan headwaters, resulting in pronounced differences between wet and dry periods. The rainy season spans October to April, delivering high discharges that flood the river and its adjacent wetlands, while the from May to features low flows that often reduce the river to narrow channels or marshy seepage. At the Kongola gauging station, dry season discharge typically falls to around 25–30 m³/s, compared to wet season averages of up to 40 m³/s. Flood peaks generally occur in June or July, delayed by the time it takes runoff to travel through upstream floodplains and swamps, causing the river to expand dramatically across low-gradient . These peaks inundate floodplains up to 10–15 km wide along the lower reaches, creating temporary wetlands that store and slowly release water. The overall flow variability is relatively low and stable, driven primarily by interannual rainfall fluctuations in the basin, with observed estimates indicating an average annual discharge of approximately 33 m³/s at Kongola, though actual contributions to downstream systems like the are often near zero due to extensive . Significant water loss occurs through evaporation in the extensive marshes and floodplains, where high temperatures and large surface areas lead to estimates of approximately 40% of inflow being lost, based on hydrological modeling of the regional wetland dynamics. This attenuation is particularly evident in the lower basin, where open evaporation rates can exceed 2,500 mm annually. Additionally, during periods of elevated flows, excess water may divert via the Selinda Spillway into the , altering the river's effective outflow and contributing to transboundary hydrological connectivity. Climate projections indicate a decline in from 2020–2100 due to temperature increases of 3–6°C, with low flows shifting from November/December to April–August.

Water quality

The water quality of the Cuando River (also known as the Kwando River) is generally good, characterized by neutral to slightly acidic levels ranging from approximately 6.5 to 8.0 in most reaches, low electrical conductivity (around 40 μS/cm), and dissolved oxygen concentrations that adequately support diverse aquatic life. These parameters reflect the river's pristine within the broader system, where waters remain clear and uncontaminated in upstream sections. Natural factors contribute significantly to the river's water composition, with low levels resulting from the permeable sandy soils of the upper basin, which limit leaching and mineralization. However, (TDS) and increase gradually in the lower reaches due to high rates in the semi-arid floodplains and seepage from , though levels remain below thresholds harmful to ecosystems. Water temperature typically ranges from 20°C to 28°C, influenced by seasonal variations and inputs, while rises during flood events, carrying suspended sediments from the upstream Angolan highlands. are notably absent in the upper basin, underscoring the minimal geological sources of contamination. Human influences on water quality are minor but present, primarily from agricultural runoff and small-scale settlements along the riverbanks in Angola and Namibia, introducing limited nutrients and organic pollutants. In Namibia's Caprivi region, brackish groundwater near the lower Kwando (Linyanti) reaches necessitates localized desalination efforts, though the river itself shows no widespread pollution. Monitoring efforts, such as those by the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project in 2018 and 2023, confirm these parameters through in-situ measurements along transects, highlighting the river's overall suitability for ecological and human use. Current trends indicate stable water quality across the basin, with no significant degradation observed, but vulnerability persists from potential upstream developments in Angola, including expanded agriculture that could elevate nutrient inputs and alter dilution patterns.

Ecology

Aquatic life

The Cuando River, also known as the Kwando River, supports a rich aquatic biodiversity, with over 80 fish species documented in its basin and the adjacent confluence with the Zambezi and Chobe rivers. Prominent among these are predatory species like the tigerfish (Hydrocynus vittatus), which dominates in faster-flowing sections, as well as herbivorous and omnivorous fish such as bream (Oreochromis andersonii and O. macrochir) and various catfish (Clarias gariepinus and C. ngamensis). Endemic species, including the restricted-range Lobogenes michaelis (data deficient), and certain Barbus taxa like Barbus sp. “Zambia chubby head”, highlight the river's role as a regional hotspot for fish endemism. These fish assemblages vary by habitat, with rheophilic species favoring rapids and pools in the upper reaches, while lentic-adapted forms thrive in expansive marshes and floodplains downstream. Invertebrate communities further enhance the river's ecological complexity, particularly in environments where seasonal inundation creates dynamic habitats. exhibit low diversity with only about six recorded, often in rocky or vegetated margins, while mollusks are more abundant, encompassing around 30 gastropod and bivalve such as Lymnaea natalensis (a ) and Mutela dubia (a ), which inhabit sandy substrates and permanent backwaters. larvae, numbering over 200 primarily from orders like Coleoptera, Diptera, and , proliferate in these floodplains, with larvae of and blackflies anchoring benthic food webs in vegetated pools and marshes. These serve as critical prey for and contribute to nutrient cycling, with their abundance peaking during wet seasons when floodwaters expand available habitat. Microorganisms, including and , form the base of the aquatic , facilitating and in the river's varied environments. Algal communities, dominated by , undergo seasonal blooms during flood periods, driven by nutrient influx from inundated , which in turn support bacterial and higher trophic levels. Many and species exhibit adaptations to the river's challenging conditions, such as tolerance to low oxygen levels in swampy marshes—achieved through physiological mechanisms like increased erythrocyte production in cichlids—and migratory behaviors synchronized with annual flooding, allowing access to nurseries for spawning and feeding. These adaptations ensure resilience in the river's pulse-driven , where diverse assemblages in pools, , and marshes sustain a interconnected underwater .

Terrestrial wildlife

The riparian zones and floodplains of the Cuando River, also known as the Kwando River in its middle reaches, support a diverse array of terrestrial mammals that rely on the river's resources for and water access. African elephants (Loxodonta africana) are prominent, utilizing the river corridor as a key migration route within the , where they move seasonally between , , , and to access water and vegetation. Hippopotamuses (Hippopotamus amphibius) inhabit the river's deeper pools and channels, emerging at night to graze on surrounding grasslands. Predators such as lions (Panthera leo) patrol the floodplains, preying on herbivores, while antelopes including (Aepyceros melampus), red lechwe (Kobus leche), (Hippotragus equinus), and (Hippotragus niger) thrive in the mosaic of woodlands and wetlands along the riverbanks. The river's hosts over 400 bird species, many of which are adapted to the aquatic-terrestrial interface of its floodplains and riparian areas. African fish eagles (Icthyophaga vocifer) are iconic residents, perching along the river to hunt fish and vocalizing their distinctive calls that echo across the landscape. Wading birds like goliath herons (Ardea goliath) and various egret species in the shallow waters and reed beds, while migratory waterfowl, including spur-winged geese (Plectropterus gambensis) and African spoonbills (Platalea alba), arrive seasonally to exploit the nutrient-rich floodplains during the wet period. These birds contribute to the , with the river serving as a vital corridor for intra-African migrants. Reptiles are well-represented in the river's terrestrial habitats, particularly along its muddy banks and in adjacent woodlands. Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) bask on the river's edges and hunt in the shallows, playing a top-predator role in the . Nile monitor lizards (Varanus niloticus), one of Africa's largest lizards, inhabit the riparian zones, scavenging and preying on smaller animals while occasionally raiding nests near the water. Vegetation in the Cuando River's riparian zones and floodplains forms a critical structure, dominated by mopane woodlands (Colophospermum mopane) that provide browse for elephants and shade for understory species. Dense reed beds of (Cyperus papyrus) and sedges line the river channels, offering cover for birds and small mammals, while acacia riparian forests, including species like Acacia erioloba and Acacia tortilis, fringe the floodplains, supporting grazing and bird nesting. These plant communities create a transitional zone between and , enhancing diversity. The Cuando River functions as a natural migration corridor within the region, facilitating the movement of large mammals like elephants across international borders and connecting protected areas such as Bwabwata National Park in and Mudumu National Park in the . This connectivity allows for seasonal dispersal, enabling animals to access varying resources and avoid in any single area.

Conservation

The Cuando River lies at the heart of the Kavango-Zambezi () Transfrontier Conservation Area, the world's largest terrestrial transfrontier conservation area spanning approximately 500,000 km² across , , , , and , which supports transboundary efforts to protect shared ecosystems and wildlife migration corridors. Key protected areas along the river include Mudumu National Park in , which borders the Kwando River (the Namibian stretch of the Cuando) and encompasses habitats vital for diverse species; Chobe National Park in , connected via the Linyanti-Chobe system that receives Cuando waters; and Sioma Ngwezi National Park in , facilitating wildlife dispersal across unfenced borders in the Kwando-Zambezi . The river's ecosystems face multiple threats, including human-wildlife conflict (HWC) driven by crop raiding and livestock predation in bordering communities, targeting and other species amid illegal trade routes through , and climate change-induced droughts that reduce seasonal flooding and exacerbate . Conservation initiatives include WWF's annual basin cards, which assess ecological health, , and pressures like land-use change to guide transboundary decision-making among , , , and . In 2025, WWF and partners launched a new initiative, supported by the Dutch , to protect the river from upstream threats in . Community-based (CBNRM) programs, such as those in 's Kwandu Conservancy along the Kwando River, empower local communities to manage wildlife, generate tourism revenue, and mitigate HWC through benefit-sharing and anti-poaching patrols. The Cuando River basin remains a within , with ongoing monitoring by organizations like WWF and the Secretariat tracking ecosystem indicators; seasonal flooding plays a crucial role in habitat renewal by replenishing wetlands, nutrient distribution, and supporting migratory cycles essential for ecological balance.

History

Pre-colonial period

The Cuando River basin, encompassing parts of modern-day , , , and , has been inhabited by human populations since the , with evidence of activities dating back to approximately 10,000 BCE. Archaeological findings in the broader Kalahari and upper regions, which include the basin, reveal nomadic groups living in temporary huts made of sticks and grass, relying on and early tool technologies typical of the . Rock art attributed to San hunter-gatherers, depicting animals, hunts, and spiritual motifs, is found across , including sites in the (now ), reflecting cultural practices that persisted for millennia in the riverine environment. Indigenous communities such as the Mbukushu (also known as Hambukushu), Lozi, and San have long utilized the Cuando River for sustenance and livelihood. The Mbukushu, a Bantu-speaking group, settled along the river's banks around 1750 CE, employing it for fishing with baskets and traps, cultivating crops like and pumpkins on fertile , and engaging in regional trade of goods such as and salt. The Lozi, centered in the upper but extending influence to the Cuando, practiced agriculture and herding, using the river's seasonal floods to enrich soils for millet and cultivation. Meanwhile, the San maintained a economy, fishing in shallow waters and trading forest products with neighboring farmers, while avoiding direct competition through seasonal mobility. The river played a pivotal cultural role as a migration corridor for Bantu-speaking groups between 500 and 1000 CE, facilitating the spread of ironworking technologies and agro-pastoralism into . These migrations, part of the broader from , followed river systems like the Congo and tributaries, including the Cuando, allowing groups to transport crops, , and iron- knowledge southward. By this period, early ironworking sites in the portion of the basin indicate smelting for tools and weapons, integrated with herding that provided milk, meat, and social status. Settlements proliferated along the river's floodplains, drawn to the nutrient-rich soils deposited during annual inundations. Villages consisted of clustered thatched huts, supporting mixed economies of , farming, and , with communities like the Mbukushu establishing semi-permanent sites for crop storage and boat-building. In the , the Kololo kingdom, a Sotho-Tswana group displaced northward, founded its capital at Dinyati near the Chobe River (the Cuando's lower course), leveraging the waterway for defense, trade routes, and agricultural expansion until the mid-1860s. This pre-colonial era underscored the river's centrality to subsistence economies, where with weirs and hooks, herding on grassy uplands, and localized ironworking for agricultural implements sustained diverse societies without external influences.

Colonial and modern era

European exploration of the Cuando River, also known as the Kwando or Chobe in parts of its course, began in the mid-19th century with Scottish missionary and explorer , who traversed the river system during his expeditions in the 1850s. In 1851, Livingstone became the first European to document the river, describing it as a with multiple branches and lagoons suitable for navigation and settlement, based on his observations near Linyanti where he noted "deep never-failing streams" in his 1856 . Later, in the late , British explorer mapped significant portions of the river during his travels in 1878 and 1881, emphasizing its eastward flow and seasonal flooding, which contributed to more accurate European cartography of the region. The colonial period saw the river become a focal point for territorial claims following the of 1884, which initiated the and led to the division of the continent among European powers. In 1890, the Anglo-German Agreement established the —named after German Chancellor —as part of , granting Germany access to the River via the Cuando's course, with the river's main channel designated as the boundary under the principle. This strip, incorporating the Namibian side of the river, fell under German administration in the 1890s, while the upper reaches in present-day remained under Portuguese control, and the southern banks bordered the British protectorate of Bechuanaland (modern ). British and Portuguese influences further shaped border delineations, with the river serving as a natural frontier amid rival colonial interests. Post-independence developments in the 1960s through 1990s solidified these borders as former colonies gained sovereignty: in 1964, in 1966, in 1975, and in 1990, with following in 1980. Angola's civil war from 1975 to 2002 severely disrupted the river basin, causing population displacement, wildlife decimation, and instability that spilled into the Caprivi region through cross-border conflicts and refugee movements, indirectly affecting riverine ecosystems and water management. In the , the Cuando River supports in protected areas such as Namibia's Mudumu and Bwabwata National Parks, where activities like game viewing and generate revenue and employment for local communities. remains a vital for riparian populations, with over 80 sustaining artisanal fisheries, though poses challenges. An operational small hydroelectric project is the 50 kW Divundu plant along the Namibian stretch, aimed at providing without large-scale damming. As of 2025, high flood levels in the , influenced by Kwando inflows, have highlighted the river's continued importance for regional water dynamics and biodiversity. Transboundary cooperation has intensified through the Transfrontier Conservation Area, established via a 2006 Memorandum of Understanding among , , , , and , with a formal signed in 2011 to manage shared resources across 520,000 km², including the Kwando dispersal area for migratory . Human-wildlife conflicts have risen with population growth in the , where expanding settlements increase livestock losses to lions and elephants, prompting initiatives like the Kwando Carnivore Project since 2013, which has upgraded kraals to reduce depredation by 90%. Post-2000 climate adaptation efforts focus on resilience-building, including early warning systems for floods and droughts, , and integrated management to safeguard the basin against changing rainfall patterns.

References

  1. https://www.[researchgate](/page/ResearchGate).net/publication/361793991_Cuando_River_-_State_of_the_Basin_Report
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