What is the longest river in the country of South Africa?

The Orange River is South Africa’s longest river. It originates from the Drakensberg in neighboring Lesotho where it is also known as the Senqu River and flows into Atlantic Ocean through South Africa. Orange River forms part of the international boundary line between Namibia and South Africa and between Lesotho and South Africa. The river covers 1,365 miles from its source to the Atlantic Ocean.

The earliest inhabitants called the river Gariep while the Dutch named it Groote Rivier, when they colonized the area. However, in 1779 it was named Orange River by Colonel Robert Gordon in honor of William V of Orange.

The Orange River supports agriculture, mining, and industry through the creation of the Orange River Project. The fist diamond in South Africa was discovered in the alluvial deposit on the river. Orange is also famous for canoeing and rafting, and a major source of hydroelectric power at the Gariep and Vanderkloof Dams.