The Kaap River (also Umlambongwane or Little Crocodile River) is a river in the De Kaap Valley of eastern Mpumalanga province, South Africa. It is a tributary of the Crocodile River with which it has a confluence at Kaapmuiden. The Kaap River has two main tributaries, namely the North Kaap River (Afrikaans: Noordkaap) and South Kaap River (Afrikaans: Suidkaap). Its lower reaches cut through the scenic Krokodilpoortsberge, where it has several tributaries, including Figtree creek and Low's creek (or Mantibovu).

Kaap River
Little Crocodile River
The Avoca train bridge pictured in 1895
Kaap River is located in South Africa
Kaap River
Location of mouth
Etymologyfrom De Kaap Valley
Native nameUmlambongwane (Tsonga)
Location
CountrySouth Africa
RegionSouth African lowveld
Physical characteristics
Sourcenorthern Drakensberg
 • locationnear Kaapsehoop (North Kaap) and Nelshoogte (South Kaap), Mpumalanga
 • elevation1,800 m (5,900 ft)
MouthCrocodile River
 • location
Kaapmuiden, Mpumalanga
 • coordinates
25°32′25″S 31°18′49″E / 25.54028°S 31.31361°E / -25.54028; 31.31361
 • elevation
350 m (1,150 ft)

History

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The catchment area of the river was once inhabited by the Mbayi tribe, or people of Maseko, who were lorded over by the bakaNgomane.[1] Their places of residence can still be recognized by their cairns, the purpose of which is unclear.

 
The Kaap River and its tributaries on a map of 1895. The border between South Africa and Swaziland (since 2018 renamed to Eswatini) is shown at bottom right.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "History". mountainlands.co.za. Mountainlands Nature Reserve. Retrieved 22 June 2018.