MAPUTO RIVER

The 'Maputo River' (Portuguese ''Rio Maputo''), also called 'Great Usutu River' or 'Lusutfu River', is a river in Mozambique, South Africa, and Swaziland. It rises near Amsterdam, Mpumalanga, South Africa, and flows through Swaziland in eastern direction, where it crosses the Lubumbo Mountains. Then, for a short stretch, it forms the border between Swaziland and South Africa (province of KwaZulu-Natal), and then between South Africa and Mozambique, before it takes in its largest tributary, the Pongola River. It then crosses into Mozambique and finally empties into the southern end of the Maputo Bay.
In Swaziland, the river, here called Great Usutu or Lusutfu, runs through the towns of Bhunya, Loyengo, Siphofaneni and Big Bend. The town of Big Bend is located near a point in the river course where it meanders abrupty. The Great Usutu is the largest river in Swaziland; it is home to Swaziland's lowest point (21 meters above sea level), and is known for white water rafting. No large towns have been able to form around it, due to the large valleys and forest on its coast. However it is home to many golf courses, hotels, and nature preserves.