| Matlabas River | |
| Name Etymology: | Meaning "sandy river" in the Tswana language[1] |
| Pushpin Map: | South Africa |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of the Matlabas River mouth |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | South Africa |
| Subdivision Type2: | State |
| Subdivision Name2: | Limpopo Province |
| Source1: | Waterberg Massif |
| Source1 Elevation: | 1700m (5,600feet) |
| Mouth Location: | Limpopo River, South Africa/Botswana border |
| Mouth Coordinates: | -23.6958°N 26.9981°W |
| Mouth Elevation: | 844m (2,769feet) |
| Basin Size: | 3448km2 |
The Matlabas River is a river in Limpopo Province, South Africa. It is a tributary of the Limpopo River. The river's catchment area comprises 3,448 square kilometers.[2] The entire catchment area of the river is located within the Waterberg District Municipality.
The Matlabas has its source in the western part of the Waterberg Massif within the area of the Marakele National Park.[3] After leaving the mountains it flows roughly northwestwards across the Lowveld until it joins the right bank of the Limpopo River.
Although it is a perennial river, the Matlabas is highly subject to seasonal variations, thus its runoff is very variable.[4] Its main tributary is the Mamba River.[5]
