Mthatha River
| Mthatha River Umtata River | |
|---|---|
close to where the Mthatha River meets the Indian Ocean | |
| Etymology | Sneeze-wood trees (Ptaeroxylon obliquum) growing on the banks of the river |
| Native name | 'mtathe Bawo (Xhosa) |
| Location | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | Eastern Cape Province |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Baziya Range, Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| • elevation | 1,500 m (4,900 ft) |
| Mouth | Indian Ocean |
• location | Coffee Bay, South Africa |
• coordinates | 31°56′S 29°11′E / 31.933°S 29.183°E |
• elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Length | 250 km (160 mi) |
| Basin size | 2,600 km2 (1,000 sq mi) |
Mthatha River or Umtata River (Xhosa: 'mtathe Bawo) is a river in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. The river flows into the Indian Ocean in an estuary located near Coffee Bay. The Mthatha river flows in a southeastern direction and is approximately 250 km long with a catchment area of 2,600 km2. Mthatha Town (Umtata) is named after it.
Its main tributaries are the Ngqungqu River and the Cicira River.
The Mthatha River marks the southern limit of the Pondoland region.