Rufiji River
| Rufiji | |
|---|---|
Rufiji river in Selous | |
Map of the Rufiji River drainage basin. The separate, endorheic Lake Sulunga basin is shown in green. | |
| Location | |
| Country | Tanzania |
| Region | Pwani Region |
| Region | Morogoro Region |
| Region | Iringa Region |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Great Ruaha River |
| • location | Tanzania |
| 2nd source | Kilombero River |
| • location | Morogoro Region |
| 3rd source | Luwegu River |
| • location | Morogoro Region |
| Mouth | Indian Ocean |
• location | Pwani Region |
• coordinates | 7°46′26″S 39°21′50″E / 7.77389°S 39.36389°E |
| Length | 600 km (370 mi) |
| Basin size | 177,429 square kilometres (68,506 sq mi) |
The Rufiji River lies entirely within Tanzania. It is also the largest and longest river in the country. The river is formed by the confluence of the Kilombero and Luwegu rivers. It is approximately 600 kilometres (370 mi) long, with its source in southwestern Tanzania and its mouth on the Indian Ocean opposite Mafia Island across the Mafia Channel, in Pwani Region. Its principal tributary is the Great Ruaha River. It is navigable for approximately 100 kilometres (62 mi).
The Rufiji river is approximately 200 kilometres (120 mi) south of Dar es Salaam. The river's delta contains the largest mangrove forest in eastern Africa.