{{Infobox river | name = Shingwedzi River | native_name = {{native name list |tag1=ts|name1=Xingwedzi |tag2=ts|name2=shingwedzi |tag3=ve|name3=Tshingwedzi}} | name_other = Shingwedzirivier, Rio Singuédzi | name_etymology = Different meanings in the Venda language, among them "place of hard rock" and "dryness of area"<ref>[http://www.emagameni.co.za/Transvaal%20Indigenous%20Place%20Names.pdf Transvaal Indigenous Place Names] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081031094929/http://www.emagameni.co.za/Transvaal%20Indigenous%20Place%20Names.pdf |date=2008-10-31 }}</ref> <!---------------------- IMAGE & MAP --> | image = KNP - Shingwedzi River - 001.jpg | image_size = | image_caption = The dry bed of the Shingwedzi River in the Kruger National Park | map = | map_size = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = South Africa | pushpin_map_size = | pushpin_map_caption= Location of the Shingwedzi River mouth <!---------------------- LOCATION --> | subdivision_type1 = Country | subdivision_name1 = South Africa and Mozambique | subdivision_type2 = | subdivision_name2 = | subdivision_type3 = Provinces | subdivision_name3 = Limpopo and Gaza | subdivision_type4 = | subdivision_name4 = | subdivision_type5 = | subdivision_name5 = <!---------------------- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS --> | length = | width_min = | width_avg = | width_max = | depth_min = | depth_avg = | depth_max = | discharge1_location= | discharge1_min = | discharge1_avg = | discharge1_max = <!---------------------- BASIN FEATURES --> | source1 = ESE of Thohoyandou | source1_location = near Mtititi, Limpopo Province, South Africa | source1_coordinates= | source1_elevation = {{convert|480|m|abbr=on}} | mouth = Olifants River (Limpopo) | mouth_location = Gaza Province, Mozambique | mouth_coordinates = {{coord|23|53|32|S|32|17|8|E|display=inline,title}} | mouth_elevation = {{convert|86|m|abbr=on}} | progression = | river_system = | basin_size = {{convert|5301|km2|abbr=on}} | tributaries_left = | tributaries_right = | custom_label = | custom_data = | extra = }}
The '''Shingwedzi River''' ({{langx|ve|Tshingwedzi}}; {{langx|ts|Xingwedzi/shingwedzi}}; {{langx|af|Shingwedzirivier}}; {{langx|pt|Rio Singuédzi}}) is a river in Limpopo Province, South Africa, and Gaza Province, Mozambique. It is a left hand tributary of the Olifants River ''(Rio dos Elefantes)'' and the northernmost river of its catchment area,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csir.co.za/rhp/state_of_rivers/state_of_crocsabieolif_01/olif_eco.html|title=State of Rivers Report - The Olifants River System|publisher=Council for Scientific and Industrial Research|access-date=2009-02-19|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703100205/http://www.csir.co.za/rhp/state_of_rivers/state_of_crocsabieolif_01/olif_eco.html|archive-date=2007-07-03}}</ref> joining it at the lower end of its basin. The Shingwedzi is a seasonal river whose riverbed is dry for prolonged periods.<ref name=":0">[http://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/conservation/scientific/noticeboard/science_network_meeting_2009/Presentations/vlok.pdf Shingwedzi River why is it the most polluted river in the KNP?]</ref>
==Course== The Shingwedzi River drains the plain southeast of the Soutpansberg.<ref>[http://www.metrogis.co.za/docs/Environmental_Management_Framework_Report_6.pdf Environmental Management Framework for the Olifants and Letaba Rivers Catchment area]</ref> Its sources are about 40 km to the ESE of Thohoyandou and about 20 km west of the town of Malamulele, in the Mulamula area. It flows eastwards across the lowveld and enters the area of the Kruger National Park.<ref>[http://www.dwaf.gov.za/iwqs/rhp/eco/FROC/WMA2LuvuvuLethaba.jpg Luvuvu Lethaba WMA 2]</ref>
The main rivers of the Shingwedzi basin are the Mandzoro River, Mphongolo River, Phugwane River, Gole River, Shisha River, Tshamidzi River, Bububu River and the Dzombo River.<ref>[http://www.thekruger.com/krugerrivers.htm Rivers of the Kruger National Park... Perennial and Seasonal]</ref>
Two dams on the river are located within the Kruger National Park near the Shingwedzi rest camp; the Kanniedood Dam and the Sirheni Dam.{{Citation needed|date=December 2019|reason=removed citation to predatory publisher content}} The Makuleke Dam is in the Mphongolo River. After crossing into Mozambique, the river bends and flows southeastwards. Further downstream the Shingwedzi flows close to the northeastern side of the Massingir Dam's reservoir and joins the Olifants about 12 km down river from the dam wall.<ref name=":0" />
This river is a good place for observing large herds of African bush elephants, herds of 50 to 60 individuals being common in its basin.<ref>[http://www.krugerpark.co.za/Kruger_National_Park_Lodging_&_Camping_Guide-travel/shingwedzi-camp.html Shingwedzi Rest Camp - Kruger National Park - SANParks]</ref>
==See also== *Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park * Kruger National Park * List of rivers of South Africa
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20120306135413/http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/Research_Impacts/Benchmark_Basins/Olifants.aspx The Olifants River Basin, South Africa] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070703100205/http://www.csir.co.za/rhp/state_of_rivers/state_of_crocsabieolif_01/olif_eco.html The Olifants River System] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20120610212125/http://www.ewisa.co.za/misc/School/oLIFANTS%20COVER.pdf The Olifants River]
Category:Olifants River (Limpopo) Category:Geography of Gaza Province Category:Rivers of Limpopo