Great Usutu River

The Great Usutu, called the Lusutfu in siSwati, is the largest river in Eswatini, rising in South Africa and running east across the country through the highveld and the lowveld before cutting a gorge straight through the Lubombo range and continuing to the Indian Ocean as the Maputo river. Its water supports the sugar estates of the southeast. Whitewater rafting runs on the middle section when the flow is up.

Highlights

• The Lubombo gorge - where the river cuts right through the basalt range.
• The rafting section - the middle stretch run when flow allows.
• The sugar country - the estates the river's water makes possible.
• The length - a river crossing the whole country to reach the Indian Ocean.

When to go

October to April is when flow is highest and rafting runs. Winter levels drop and trips are cancelled. Flood after heavy rain closes the river entirely.

Things to know

Rafting depends entirely on flow and is cancelled for much of the dry season. Crocodiles and hippo are present and the river is not for casual swimming. Bilharzia is a risk in still water.

Nearby

Big Bend is on it, and the Lubombo range is east.

Key facts