Source of the Cubango River (Okavango)

The Cubango River is one of the main watercourses in Southern Africa. Its source is in Boas Águas, in the municipality of Chicala-Choloanga, Huambo province, Angola, at an altitude of approximately 1,788 meters.

With a course of approximately 1,100 km, the Cubango initially flows south, passing through towns such as Kuvango (formerly Vila Artur de Paiva), in the province of Huíla, where it receives tributaries such as the Cutato River. From there, it turns southeast, forming part of the border between Angola and Namibia, until it reaches the Mucusso region, in the extreme southeast of Angola.
Upon entering Namibian territory, the river is known as Kavango and continues its course to Botswana, where it disperses in the Okavango Delta, a vast floodplain in the Kalahari Desert. This delta is one of the largest inland deltas in the world, covering an area ranging from 15,000 km² to 22,000 km² during floods.

The Okavango River is vital for sustaining diverse ecosystems and human communities. Its course flows through regions inhabited by peoples such as the Khoisan and Ambó, who depend on its waters for activities such as fishing, agriculture and domestic supplies.
The Okavango Delta, fed mainly by the Okavango River, is a unique ecosystem recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. During the flood season, the delta expands significantly, becoming a refuge for a vast diversity of fauna, including elephants, hippos, lions and numerous bird species.