The Groot Letaba River headwater streams originate in the Drakensberg Escarpment, descending in long runs with an occasional riffle or pool, mostly in the

Limpopo Limpopo () is the northernmost Provinces of South Africa, province of South Africa. It is named after the Limpopo River, which forms the province's western and northern borders. The term Limpopo is derived from Rivombo (Livombo/Lebombo), a ...

province of

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. Its Provinces of South Africa, nine provinces are bounded to the south by of coastline that stretches along the Atlantic O ...

Tributaries

At the higher level, the

Broederstroom River The Broederstroom River is a small stream located in the Woodbush Forest Reserve in Limpopo, South Africa. It is noted for its clear waters and recreational trout fishing, managed by the Haenertsburg Trout Association. Originating in montane fores ...

, Politsi River, Debengeni River, Letsitele River, and Thabina River, join the Groot Letaba. Lower down, the Molototsi River (a seasonal stream) and Nsama River join before the Nsami Dam. Just before the

Kruger National Park Kruger National Park () is a national park in South Africa covering an area of in the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga in the country's northeast. It extends from north to south and from east to west. The administrative headquarters are i ...

the

Klein Letaba River Klein Letaba River is a tributary of the Letaba River, situated in Limpopo, South Africa. After its confluence with the Groot Letaba River on the western boundary of the Kruger National Park, it forms the Letaba River flowing through the whole w ...

flows into the river. From here, the combined rivers are simply known as the

Letaba River The Letaba River (), 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. Course It starts at the confluence of the Groot Leta ...

Dams

More than 20 major dams have been constructed in the Groot Letaba River catchment. The

Tzaneen Dam Tzaneen Dam is an earth-fill type dam located on the Groot Letaba River, near Tzaneen, Limpopo, South Africa. After Cyclone Eloise that emanated from the Mozambique side, the dam was certified 110% full by the Department of Water and Sanitation. ...

on the Groot Letaba River and the

Middle Letaba Dam Middle Letaba Dam is an earth-fill type dam located on the Middle Letaba River, 40 km east of Elim and 40 km west of Giyani, Limpopo, South Africa. The source of the Middle Letaba river rises high in the tropical mountains of Magoeba ...

are the two largest dams in the Limpopo Province. Other large dams in the catchment include the

Ebenezer Dam Ebenezer Dam is an earth-fill type dam on the Groot Letaba River, near Tzaneen, Limpopo, South Africa. The Broederstroom also flows into the dam. It was established in 1959 and its primary purpose is for municipal and industrial usage. The dam's ...

Magoebaskloof Dam Magoebaskloof is a mountain pass in Limpopo Province, South Africa, between Tzaneen and Haenertsburg on the R71. It takes its name from Chief Makgoba and literally means "Makgoba's ravine". It is a lush green mountainous area, covered by natu ...

, Nsami Dam and Modjadji Dam.

Tributaries

Dams

See also