Letaba River

The Letaba River (Afrikaans: Letabarivier), also known as Leţaba, Lehlaba or Ritavi, is a river located in eastern Limpopo Province, South Africa. It is one of the most important tributaries of the Olifants River.

Letaba River
View of the Letaba River
Location of the Letaba River's mouth
Etymology	Meaning "sandy river" in Northern Sotho language
Native name	Ritavi (Tsonga)
Location
Country	South Africa
Region	Limpopo Province
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Gauteng Province
2nd source
• location	Soutpansberg
Mouth	Olifants River
• location	Limpopo Province
• coordinates	23°59′22″S 31°49′36″E
Basin size	67,000 km2 (26,000 sq mi)
Basin features
Tributaries
• left	Nharhweni River, Ngwenyeni River, Klein Letaba River, Molototsi River, Nsama River
• right	Groot Letaba River, Nwanedzi River, Makhadzi River

Course

It starts at the confluence of the Groot Letaba River and Klein Letaba River, whence they continue their journey eastwards through the Lowveld as the Letaba River. It joins the Olifants River in the foothills of the Lebombo Mountains, near South Africa's border with Mozambique. In Mozambique, the latter river is called the Rio Elefantes.

Tributaries include the Middle Letaba River, Nharhweni River, Ngwenyeni River, Nwanedzi River, Molototsi River, Nsama River, and Makhadzi River.

Dams in the basin

• Ebenezer Dam
• Tzaneen Dam
• Modjaji Dam, in the Molototsi River
• Hudson Ntsanwisi Dam, in the Nsama River
• Middle Letaba Dam, in the Middle Letaba River
• Engelhard Dam

Game animals along its banks, near Letaba camp, central Kruger Park

See also

• Luvubu and Letaba Water Management Area