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The Zambezi River is one of the four huge rivers in Africa, of course, after the Nile, Niger, Congo (Zaire). The upper course of the Zambezi begins in a swampy area, in the northern territory of Zambia, on the Lunda plateau located at an altitude of 1500 meters and goes southwest, and after about 240 kilometers it turns south, while taking in small rivers and feeding on groundwater . All the way to the origins, like faithful guardians, impenetrable deciduous forests. At the exit of them in Angola, the Zambezi River flows between the tall grass savannah, past the dry clear forest: the trees there stand at a great distance from each other, low lianas and shrubs grow among them. On the territory of the Chavuma Falls, the Zambezi, overcoming the rapids, flows back into Zambia. Visit .
The height of the plateau in this place is approximately 1100 meters, and the width of the river reaches more than 350 meters in the rainy season. Starting from a waterfall called Chavuma and up to the Ngwambe waterfall, the Zambezi River absorbs the large tributaries of the Lungwebungd and Kabombo, and after the Barotse floodplain begins, after 30 kilometers the landscape of the Zambezi banks becomes flat, the water flow in this place becomes slow and turns south East. Visit .
80 kilometers downstream, the Luanjinga River flows into the Zambezi from the western part. During the rainy season, Barotse is flooded and just at this time the Zambezi reaches 25 kilometers in width. Where is it, see here.
A little lower, rapids and stirrups begin, which end with the Ngonye waterfall. This area of the Zambezi is suitable for navigation. Then the Zambezi takes in the abundant river Kwando. It is along this line that the border between Zambia and Angola runs along this territory, after which a small border with Namibia appears - the completion of the one-way corridor of this state, which wedged between Angola. Having united with Kwando, the Zambezi River flows already at an altitude of almost 920 meters above sea level, turns east, then slows down its course, as if preparing to collapse the Victoria Falls, which is the most famous natural asset.
The waterfall, called Mosioatunya by the natives, which means "thundering smoke", was seen by the very first European - the famous African researcher D. Livingston. It happened on November 17, 1855, during his wanderings in the Zambezi.
River characteristic
He named the waterfall after the British queen. Later he wrote about him: “Angels must have looked at such beautiful places when they flew. The waterfall is about 1800 meters wide, the water falls from 80-108 meters, in the rainy season it drops 9100 cubic meters of water per second. Fog and spray they rise about 400 meters above the falling water stream, and maybe even higher.The sound can be heard from 30 kilometers away, which is why it is called explosive smoke.Another 200 kilometers, the Zambezi River passes between hills, their height is 200-250 meters, basalt rocks, whose height is 20-60 meters, speeding up on rapids and rapids. Another attraction and the main hydraulic structure on the Zambezi River is the Kariba Dam, as well as its reservoir, which arose in 1959 in the Caribbean Cave.
The Itezhi-Tezhi dam, located on the Kafue River, is a large left tributary in the middle reaches of the Zambezi, adding its part of its energy to it. At the place where the next left tributary of the Luangwa flows, the Zambezi flows through Mozambique, is 650 kilometers long, and they are navigable. There is another one at this location. hydraulic structure, reservoir and dam - Kahora Bassa, it was built in 1974. The width of the Zambezi River in Mozambique is 5-8 kilometers in the rainy season. Only 320 kilometers from the mouth of the Zambezi River is in the gorge of the Lupata canyon, the width of which is no more than 200 meters. The Shire River flows out of Lake Nyasa and flows into the Zambezi 160 kilometers from the mouth. The largest arms of the delta covered with mangroves are: Milaimb, Luabo, Kongoun, Timbw. However, only one is navigable, Shende has a single port, which is also called Zambezi.
The river valley in its middle and upper reaches is located in climate zone, where the trade winds of the South and northern hemispheres. When the months of scorching heat end, starting in November, the skies over the Zambezi become heavy thunderclouds that bring down rain walls, and all animals tend to water, spilling over the plains sometimes up to 25 kilometers away. Only small islands of land can protrude to the surface. Herds of black antelopes, as well as wildebeests, zebras, buffaloes and other animals rush to these places from the remote regions of South and Central Africa.
Zambezi in the heart of Africa great river governs the life of the ancient continent. The Zambezi River is the fourth longest river in. The basin area is 1,570,000 km², the length is 2,574 km. The source of the river is in Zambia, the river flows through Angola and flows into the Indian Ocean. ( 11 photos)
1. The name Zambezi was given to the river by its discoverer among Europeans, David Livingston, and comes from the distorted Kasambo Wayze - the name in one of the local dialects. From the source to the waterfall, for 1200 km, the river flows along a gently sloping, in some places heavily swampy plain. At the exit points hard rock there are rapids and waterfalls.
4. The Zambezi is home to a large number of wildlife populations. living on calm stretches of the river, many. Monitor lizards, special species of birds including the heron, pelican, egret and African eagle.
5. From the change of seasons depends on the overflow of rivers and drought, which affect animals. Water may not be enough, or it may be in excess. But for more than a million years, animals have adapted.
7. In its course, the river often passes through rapids, thus, through navigation on it is impossible. However, for short distances, it is much more convenient to travel along the river by boat than to travel along the regularly washed out floods. dirt roads, and in some villages it is completely possible to get only by water.
The Zambezi is one of the four great rivers of Africa after the Nile, the Congo (Zaire) and the Niger. The source of the Zambezi is born in a swampy area in northern Zambia on the Lunda plateau at an altitude of 1500 m and rushes to the southwest, and after about 240 km it makes a smooth turn to the south, absorbing small rivers along the way and feeding on groundwater. Its entire journey in the upper reaches, like faithful guards, is accompanied by dense deciduous forests. Leaving them on the territory of Angola, the Zambezi flows further among the tall grass savannah and miombo of a dry light forest: the trees in it stand at a considerable distance from each other, low shrubs and lianas grow between them. In the area of the Chavuma Falls, the Zambezi, after passing through the rapids, returns to Zambia. The height of the plateau here is already about 1100 m, and the width of the river is more than 350 m (during the rainy season). From the Chavuma waterfall to the Ngwambe waterfall, the Zambezi receives large tributaries of the Kabombo and Lungvebungd, and the Barotse floodplain begins, and after another 30 km, the landscape of the Zambezi coast becomes flat, the current here slows down and turns to the southeast. 80 km downstream, the Luanjinga River flows into the Zambezi from the west. Barotse is flooded during the rainy season and then the Zambezi can reach 25 km in width. Below, a series of rapids and rapids begins, ending with the Ngonye waterfall. This stretch of the Zambezi is navigable. After it, the full-flowing Kwando (Chobe) river flows into the Zambezi. The border between Angola and Zambia runs along it in this region, then a short border with Namibia, the end of a narrow corridor of this country, wedged between Angola. Botswana and Zimbabwe back in 1891 under an agreement between the British Cape Colony and the German protectorate of German South West Africa. Having merged with Kwando, the Zambezi flows already at an altitude of 920 m above sea level, turns east and slows down, as if preparing to collapse the Victoria Falls - the most famous natural asset, powerful and beautiful.
The waterfall, which the natives call Mosioatunya (“thundering smoke”), was the first European to see the famous African explorer David Livingston (1813-1873). It happened on November 17, 1855, during his journey through the Zambezi.
He gave the waterfall the name of the British queen. And he wrote about him like this: “The places so beautiful must have been looked at by angels in flight.” The width of the waterfall is about 1800 m, the height of the water fall is from 80 to 108 m, during the rainy season it overthrows 9100 m 3 of water per second. The spray and fog above the falling stream rise to 400 m and higher. The sound can be heard 30 km away, hence the “thundering smoke”. For the next 200 km, the Zambezi flows between hills 200-250 m high, basalt rocks 20-60 m high, accelerating on rapids and rapids. Another attraction and the main hydraulic structure on the Zambezi is the Kariba dam and its reservoir, which arose in 1959 in the Caribbean Gorge. The Itezhi-Tezhi Dam on the Kafue River, the largest left tributary in the middle reaches of the Zambezi, adds its share of energy to it. At the confluence of the next left tributary - the Luangwa - the Zambezi path along Mozambique begins - 650 km, and they are navigable. Another major hydraulic structure is located here, the Cahora Bassa dam and reservoir, built in 1974. The width of the Zambezi in Mozambique is from 5 to 8 km during the rainy season. Only 320 km from the mouth of the Zambezi falls into the gorge of the Lupata canyon with a width of no more than 200 m. The Shire River, flowing from Lake Nyasa (Malawi), flows into the Zambezi 160 km from the mouth. The largest branches of the delta, covered with mangrove forests, are Milaimb, Kongoun, Luabo and Timbw. But only one is navigable, Shende, and the only Zambezi port of the same name is also located on it.
The river valley in its upper and middle reaches is located in a climatic zone in which the trade winds of the Northern and Southern hemispheres converge. After several months of scorching heat in mid-November, the skies over the Zambezi are covered with heavy storm clouds, from which a wall of rain falls, and the whole animal world rushes to the water, which on the plains spills in places at a distance of up to 25 km, only small islands of land protrude to the surface. From the deep regions of Central and South Africa, large herds of black and wildebeest, buffalo, zebras, lion prides, families of elephants and rhinos, countless flocks of spoonbills, herons, cranes rush here different types and pelicans. They are accompanied by hyenas and hyena-like dogs. Monkeys move through the trees, among which the most numerous species- baboons. In the shallow waters formed by the spill, juvenile fish are teeming, and herds of catfish rush here. From the Indian Ocean, a gray bull shark moves upstream, capable of existing both in the sea and in fresh water. In some areas of the Zambezi, herds of hippos accumulate at this time.
In full compliance with the laws natural selection on the banks there are fights not for life, but for death, their course is closely watched by phlegmatic-looking crocodiles.
And then drought sets in again: the grass dries up, the small tributaries of the river dry up, for many species of animals there is almost no food except for some roots, dried fruits of trees and succulent leaves. Animals migrate to other places on the continent. But Zambezi and in this time of heat will give drink to all who remain.
FROM seasonal cycle the colorful holiday of the Lozi people living in the floodplain of Barotse, or Barotseland, is connected. The festival is called Kuomboka, which means "getting out of the river." Lozi, led by their leader (litunga), are sent away from the flooded places. On the front boat, the king, who is taller than the litunga, has an elephant, or rather his statue, and next to him is a statue of his “wife” in the form of a crane. The action is accompanied by loud drumming and singing. The Lozi are one of the most ancient peoples of the Bantu group, who settled on the lands near the Zambezi (but not only here) several millennia ago. Another people living since ancient times near the Zambezi, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers and also belonging to the Bantu, is the Shona. The empire of their ancestors Monomotapa (Mwene-Mutapa) arose in the 6th century, flourished in the 13th-15th centuries. and fell apart by the beginning of the 18th century. as a result of internecine conflicts and wars with the southern Ndebele people. It had influence far beyond its own borders, possessed such a rich oral folklore and such a high culture of agriculture, metallurgy, ceramics and jewelry making that some African explorers are inclined to consider Monomotapa even a separate civilization. This empire had trade relations with the Arab world from the 10th century. The ruins of its capital, the walled city of Great Zimbabwe near the modern city of Masvingo in Zimbabwe, is a monument of world significance. These are mainly the remains of gigantic towers built of blocks of granite and surrounded by powerful walls.
Even in the Zambezi Valley, which is almost free from the technogenic press of modern civilization, there is no escape from environmental problems. Reservoirs have made their own adjustments to the biological balance of the river: new species of aquatic plants and fish have appeared. The Caribbean reservoir is located in a seismically hazardous zone, its water surface area is 5580 km 2, depth is up to 97 m. Such a mass of water creates serious pressure on volcanic rocks, and this is believed to have caused at least eight recent earthquakes in the south of the continent. There is also the problem of pollution of the Zambezi waters with chemicals runoff.
general information
The fourth longest river in Africa and the longest of the African rivers flowing into the Indian Ocean.Countries through which the river flows: Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique.
Food: rainwater, in the upper reaches - groundwater.
Source: spring on the Lunda plateau in northern Zambia, near the border of the NRC.
Main tributaries: Lungwebungd, Kwando, Luangwinga, Kabombo, Kafue, Luangwa and Shire.
Major rapids: Katima, Kebrabasa.
Most large waterfalls: Victoria, Chavuma, Ngonye.
Population of the Zambezi Basin: about 32 million people
Large settlements along the coast: Mongu (Zambia), Katima Mulilo (Namibia), Seshek (Zambia), Livingston (Zambia), Victoria Fole (Zimbabwe), Kariba (Zimbabwe), Chemba (Mozambique).
The largest reservoirs: Cariba, Cahora Bassa.
Largest lake in the Zambezi basin: Nyasa (Malawi).
Port: Shinde (Mozambique).
Bridges: in the cities of Chinwingi, Katima Mulilo, Victoria Falls, Chirundu and Tete.
Major airport: in Livingston, connected by daily flights to O.R. Tambo in Johannesburg (South Africa).
Numbers
Length: 2,574 km.
Pool area: 1,570,000 km2.
Maximum Width: 1380 m (during the dry season) - in front of the Victoria Falls.
Average water flow at the mouth: 7000 m 3 / s.
Average annual runoff: 220 km 3
Climate and weather
Equatorial, mild Three seasons: cold and dry - from May to August (winter), hot and dry - from September to November (spring), warm and humid - from November to April (summer).The national average temperature fluctuates: in cold months from +16°С to +27°С, in hot months - from +27°С to +38°С.
Average annual rainfall: from 1100 to 1400 mm.
Average annual evaporation rate: 1600-2300 mm.
Floods during the rainy season: November-April.
Highest water level: november.
Economy
Hydropower: HPP Kariba and Cahora Bassa.Agriculture: cultivation of sorghum, maize, vegetables; cattle breeding.
Shipping.
Fishing and fish farming.
Services: tourism (Victoria Falls, rafting and kayaking on the Zambezi and its tributaries).
Attractions
■ waterfalls: Victoria, one of the greatest waterfalls in the world (listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site), Chavuma on the border of Zambia and Angola and Ngonye in Zambia.■ Zambezi Delta.
■ Lake Kariba(Caribbean Reservoir) - as a recreation area.
■ Ruins ancient city Great Zimbabwe (object world heritage UNESCO).
■ National parks in the Zambezi basin: Mana Pools (UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site), Zambezi, Mosioatunya, Victoria Role, Cameo, Liuwa Plains, Liuwa Sioma Nguezi, Chobe, Hwange, Lower Zambezi.
■ Crocodile farm (Livingston).
Curious facts
■ The Zambezi has its own god. His name is Nyaminyami, he has the body of a snake and the head of a fish. The tribes that have long lived on the banks of the river pray to him that he does not rage too much when the time of floods comes. In 1957, the elders of the Batonka tribe in the lower Zambezi, dissatisfied with the construction of the Kariba dam, turned to Nyaminyami for help, whom they believed would be separated from his wife by the dam. And in the same year, a severe flood on the Zambezi, caused by an earthquake, hit the dam with streams of water. Omah held out, but many of her outbuildings were destroyed.■ When David Livingston was in the area of Victoria Falls, he was accompanied by a detachment of local warriors of 300 people. But only two of them dared to approach the waterfall together with the "mad Englishman".
■ In the valley of the Zambezi River, in the jungles of Zambia and Zimbabwe, in the Wadomo tribe, most people have only ... two fingers on their feet, and both are big. The owners of such feet are also called "people-ostriches" ("sapadi"). There are two opinions of scientists about this anatomical anomaly. The first is some kind of virus. The second is the result of closely related marriages. But in all other respects, these people are completely normal, and they move very dexterously through the trees and run fast.
■ Kariba HPP provides electricity to most of Zambia and Zimbabwe, Kahora Bassa HPP - the rest of Zimbabwe and South Africa. There is also a small power plant in Victoria Fola.
■ In 1975, on the Victoria Bridge in a railway car, negotiations were held between the two warring parties in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). They argued for nine hours, arguing something to each other, but they were too often distracted to admire the waterfall, and so they didn’t agree on anything.
■ Women of the Batonka tribe look, in the opinion of Europeans, very strange, but in the opinion of their fellow tribesmen, they are perfect: in the name of beauty, six front teeth have been removed from them, this procedure is carried out by a special tribal teether. In addition, to protect against mosquitoes, they smear their faces and exposed parts of the body with red ocher.
And the indigenous people of Africa call her Kasambo Wazy. Coastline extends over the territory of six states of the African continent. Where does the Zambezi River flow into? Directly into the Indian Ocean, thus forming the widest delta. Its length is about 2600 km. On this river formed a beautiful waterfall - Victoria. It is unique in its kind and known throughout the world. A dam was built on it, which formed the world's largest Kariba reservoir. The Zambezi River basin is striking in its size, its area is 1.57 million square meters. km.
From source to delta
Zambezi originates in the territory of Zambia, in the north-west, where the terrain is swampy and hilly. The source is located at an altitude of 1.5 km above sea level, dense, almost impenetrable forests grow here. The river heads southwest, then turns south (after 240 km from its source) to let the first small tributaries into its waters and feed on groundwater.
The vegetation is also changing here - this is the territory of the savannah: a rare dry forest and shrubs. After a small waterfall Chavuma, crossing the border of Angola, the river returns to Zambia.
After the Ngonye Falls, the Zambezi expands at the expense of a large tributary - the Kwando River - and turns to the east, slowing down before the "main" waterfall (Victoria). Passing the Cabora Bassa reservoir, Zambezi rushes into the valley, where the channel becomes smaller and branches. Downstream, the water flow communicates with (the Shire tributary) and rushes to the Indian Ocean. See the map for more details.
The Zambezi Delta has a large extent from north to south with an area of 5 thousand square meters. km. However, navigation here is difficult due to natural sand drifts and shallowing of the branches. This is due to the construction of dams. The only sleeve passable for ships is the Shinde.
Zambezi and nutritional features
Zambezi originates in a mountainous area with a subtropical climate. In this area, during the summer season, heavy rainfall occurs in the form of long downpours. These rains, in fact, form the river, they are also the main source of food. And to a lesser extent, the watercourse is fed by the groundwater of the swampy area. This type of feeding is typical mainly in the upper reaches.
The regime of the Zambezi River is accompanied by constant changes From March to November (South African winter and drought), the flow becomes very shallow, and in November it replenishes again, raising its level by 1.5 m. During the rainy season, this river can be called stormy, it moves a huge amount of water with a high flow rate.
Usage
The population living in the Zambezi basin area is mainly engaged in agriculture. However, the regime of the Zambezi River is so variable that it is not always possible to use its water for irrigation. But fishing is well developed here. The watercourse abounds in both small and large fish, many of which are endemic. Fishing is the main income of the local population. Fish is used not only for food, but also for breeding in aquariums: Zambezi - habitat habitats for everyone's favorite barbs and cichlids.
Buildings on the river
This water flow provides energy to several states in the south of the continent at once, due to the hydroelectric power plants of Kariba and Cabora Bassa. However, the special regime of the Zambezi River was the reason for the construction of channels that ensure the stable operation of the hydroelectric power station. But this leads to another problem: dams crush the arms of the delta. However, in other places (below Cabora Bassa), on the contrary, the river became navigable.
The Zambezi path runs through several states and many regions, so an important fact is the presence of five full-fledged bridges that provide interregional and interstate communication.
natural diversity
The waters of the Zambezi not only abound with a variety of small fish. Also here you can find large predators: bull shark, crocodiles and monitor lizards. The coastal zone is home to many animals and birds: hippos, elephants, giraffes, zebras, herons, eagles and pelicans. Tourists can watch them either by traveling in a boat or by visiting one of the many reserves or safari parks.
Tourism
The Zambezi River attracts fishing tourists. Here you can rent equipment. Due to the many rapids, rafting along this stream is quite popular among fans of extreme rafting.
The Thundering Smoke waterfall (Victoria) is known all over the world. It has a unique ratio of width and height (1800 x). Entire families of large animals live in the reserves adjacent to the waterfall, there are also individuals of rare white rhinos. A little further downstream, lovers are offered to kayak.
In order to spend the most interesting time and visit the Zambezi water stream and other rivers of Africa, you can see the exact routes of organized excursions on the map.
One of the most striking features of the Zambezi is the Victoria Falls, one of the greatest waterfalls in the world.
The Zambezi has many other notable waterfalls: Chavuma Falls on the border between Zambia and Angola, and Ngonye Falls, near Sioma in Western Zambia. Along its course, the Zambezi is filled with only five bridges: Chinwingu, Katima Mililo, Victoria Falls, Chirindu and Tete.
River flow
Source
Upper reaches of the river
After flowing southwest about 240 (150), the river turns south and joins its own. A few miles above Keiknji, the river widens from 100 to 350 (330 to 1,150), and below Keiknji there are many rapids ending at Chavam Falls where the river flows through a rocky fissure. The first of its large tributaries to enter Zambezi- The Kabompo River is located in northern Zambia. A little further south - with a much larger Langwebang. , through which the river flows, gives way to a more open valley of shrubs surrounded by palm trees Borassas. Dense vegetation is limited to narrow the bands of tangled forest that fringe the first hundreds of meters of the Zambezi's springs and its tributaries for the first 160 km (100 miles).
From 1,500 meters (4,900 feet) at the source, drops to about 1,100 meters (3,600 feet) at Keiknji, 350 kilometers (220 miles) downstream. From this point to Victoria Falls, the level of the basin is very uniform, dropping only another 180 meters (590 feet). Thirty kilometers below the confluence Langwebang, the country becomes flat, and during the rainy season, is largely attacked. 80 kilometers (50 miles) further down, the Luanjinga, which with its tributaries dries up a large area to the west, joins the Zambezi. A few kilometers further east, the main stream joins the Luena River.
A short distance downstream of the confluence with Luanjing is Lilui, one of the capitals of the Lozi peoples who inhabit the semi-region of Zambia - Barotseland . Head Lozi has two compositions, the other is Limalanga. Limalanga is on high ground and serves as the main capital during the rainy season. The annual movement from Lilui to Limalang is famous for the festivals of Zambia, Kuombok.
After Lilui, the river turns to the southeast. From the east the river continues to receive numerous small rivers, but in the west it has no tributaries - 240 km (150 miles) when the Kuando River joins the river. Before the river joins the Ngonai Fall, subsequent rapids interrupt navigation. South of the Ngonai Falls, the river briefly borders Namibia's Caprivi Strip. The strip projects from the main body of Namibia, and stems from the colonial era: it was added to German South West Africa explicitly to give access to the Zambezi.
Below the junction of Kuando and Zambezi, the river bends almost the entire east. Here, the river is very wide and shallow, and flows slowly, but as it flows into eastbound to the edge of the big central Africa, the river reaches the abyss into which the Victoria Falls plunge.
Middle Zambezi
Victoria Falls is considered the boundary between the upper and middle Zambezi. Below them the river continues to flow through the east, from about 200 km (120 miles), cutting through perpendicular walls 20 to 60 meters (65 to 200 feet) apart in hills 200-250 (650 to 820) high. The river flows rapidly through the gorge, the flow of which is continuously interrupted. Outside the gorge is dominated by a succession of rapids that end 150 miles 240 km below Victoria Falls. Over this distance, the river drops 250 meters (820 feet).
At this point, the river enters Lake Kariba, opened in after the opening Kariba Dams. The lake is one of the world's man-made lakes and the power-generating facilities in the dam provide to much of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The Luangwa and Kafue are the two largest left tributaries of the Zambezi. Kafue joins the main river in a quiet deep stream about 180 meters wide (590 ). From this point the northward bend of the Zambezi is checked and the current continues due east. At the confluence of the Luangwa (15°37 and *8242; S), it enters Mozambique.
The middle Zambezi ends when the river enters Lake Cahora Bassa ( Cabora Bassa ). Formerly a section of dangerous rapids known as Quebrabassa. The lake was opened Cahora Bassa Dam.
Lower Zambezi
650 km Low Zambezi (400 miles) from Cahora Bassa navigable, although the river is shallow in many places during the dry season. This shallowness arises as the river enters a wide valley and spreads over a large area. Only sometimes, gorge Lupata, 320 (200) from its mouth, is a river bordered by high hills. Here barely 200 meters are wide. Elsewhere it is 5 to 8 (3 to 5) wide, flowing gently in many streams. the river is sandy. In certain places, and especially during the rainy season, the streams combine into one wide, fast-flowing river.
tributaries
The Zambezi has numerous tributaries. The most important are described below.
Kabompo rises on the high ground that forms the eastern divide between the Zambezi and the Zambezi systems. It is formed directly by the confluence of the upper Kabompo and the somewhat larger Langa River which flows into the Zambezi north of the city of Lakalu. Langwebangu, which enters the Zambezi from to the west just south of the confluence with the Kabompo River, is 200 meters wide in its upper course, flowing in a valley bordered by white sand in thin forests. Its floor forms from time to time into a flooded plain 2 to 3 wide.
The Kuando River, the largest of the western tributaries of the river, has a ruined capital of people Macololo at its lower limits. It rises at , and forms a boundary between and for part of its course, before bending to the south, passing as a gentle east at . In this stretch east to the streams of Kuando through a vast piercing swamp, with alluvial islands 110 km (70 miles), in its southern bend which joins Magwekwana. During floods, Magwecana receives some of the Okavango's excess water. This excess water, received after most of the Kuando water flow, raises the level of the lake and keeps the Kuando waters up to some miles above it.
The largest tributary of the middle Zambezi is Kafue , rises in the north at an elevation of 1350 meters in a thick forest country. The main headwaters are joined by the Langa or Luanga River. The Itezhi-Tezhi Dam is an important source of power from the Kafue River. The river also supports wildlife, which is the most protected - Kafue National Park. The lower Kafue has a series of waterfalls and streams, dropping several hundred feet over 25 km (15 miles).
The next major tributary to the east is the Luangwa, which rises near the northwest corner of , parallel to its western banks in its upper course. The Luangwa flows into a level valley bounded by steep escarpments. Its tributaries, the Lansemfwa River and the Lakasashi River, dry up a large area of the western plateau. Luangwa joins the Zambezi just above Zambo town.
The Luangwa Valley is an important nature reserve wildlife. Contains North Luangwa National Park and South Luangwa National Park. Luangwa defines the border between and about 75 km before joining .
From the south, the middle Zambezi merges with the rivers - Shangani, Sanyati, and Khanyani, in addition to minor streams. , which rises in Mashonaland, joins Zambezi below Cahora Bassa Dam.
River exploration
The Zambezi region was known to geographers as Monomotapa Empire , and the course of the river, as well as the positions of Lakes Ngami and Nyasa, were given broadly accurately in early charts. They were probably built from information.
Over the next 35 years, there was a huge amount of exploration of the river. In the Chind Canal was discovered, located north of the main mouths of the river. Two expeditions led by A. S-Hill Gibbons in (-) continued the work of research begun in the upper basin and the central course of the river. the explorer's horse Serpa, explored some of the river's western tributaries and made measurements of the Victoria Falls at .
wildlife
The wildlife of the river is varied and fruitful. There are many hippos living on calm stretches of the river. Lizards, special species of birds including heron, white heron and African. The coastal woodland is diverse - Buffalo, and. The annual flooding of this habitat is reduced.
Zambezi is beneficial in hundreds of varieties. Important species include speciesleeds, catfish, tigerfish and others. Bull shark (also known as Shark Zambezi) lives in the river, as well as throughout the world. usually inhabit coastal waters. The bull shark is an aggressive shark that is known for its attacks on people.
Economy
The population of the Zambezi Valley is estimated at about 32 million. Approximately 80% of the valley's population is dependent on , and the upper rivers provide arable land.
Communities river fish extensively from it, and many people travel from afar to fish. Some towns on roads leading to river tax informal taxes on people taking Zambezi fish to other parts of the country. As well as fishing for food, game fishing is an essential activity in some parts of the river. Between Mongu and Livingston, several lodges cater to tourists who want to fish for exotic species, and many also fish to sell to aquariums.
Transportation
The river is often interrupted by rapids. It has never been a long-distance transport route. However, on short stretches, it is often more convenient to drive
