Скачать или смотреть SWIMMING IN THE THIRD LONGEST RIVER IN AFRICA.

I once swam in the River Niger, Africa’s third longest river.
But that swim wasn’t just into water—it was a dive into history, culture, and life itself.
Between Kwara State and Niger State in Nigeria lies Jebba, a quiet town where the River Niger flows with authority. Jebba is known for the Mungo Park Monument, marking the burial place of the Scottish explorer who died while searching for the source and course of this great river—particularly whether it connected to the Congo River.
For centuries, the River Niger has puzzled explorers, sustained empires, and shaped civilizations.

🌍 Where the River Niger Is on the Map
The River Niger begins in the Fouta Djallon Highlands of Guinea, flows northeast through Mali, bends sharply southeast in Niger Republic, and finally enters Nigeria—where it pours into the Atlantic Ocean through the Niger Delta.
It stretches over 4,180 kilometers, making it the 14th longest river in the world and Africa’s third longest, after the Nile and the Congo.

🎨 The Colour of the River
Unlike clear mountain rivers, the River Niger has a brownish to greenish colour.
This comes from:
Fine sediments and silt


Decaying vegetation


Seasonal flooding that stirs riverbeds


That colour isn’t pollution—it’s actually a sign of fertility and life, the reason farming communities thrive along its banks.

🗺️ Countries the River Niger Passes Through
The River Niger flows through five African countries:
Guinea


Mali


Niger Republic


Benin (briefly along the border)


Nigeria


Each country depends on it for water, food, trade, and energy.

🇳🇬 Nigerian States the River Niger Passes Through
In Nigeria, the River Niger flows through or borders these states:
Kebbi


Niger


Kwara


Kogi


Anambra


Delta


Bayelsa


At Lokoja in Kogi State, the River Niger meets the River Benue, forming one of the most important river confluences in Africa.

🏗️ Dams Connected to the River Niger & Their Purposes
Several major dams are built on the River Niger to control flooding, generate power, and support agriculture:
Kainji Dam (Niger State)


Generates hydroelectric power


Controls flooding


Supports irrigation and fishing


Home to Kainji Lake National Park


Jebba Dam (Kwara State)


Hydroelectric power generation


Supports Nigeria’s national grid


Shiroro Dam (Kaduna State – tributary connected to Niger)


Power generation


Water supply and irrigation


These dams play a critical role in Nigeria’s electricity supply, agriculture, and water management.

💰 Economic Importance of the River Niger
The River Niger is an economic artery:
Supports millions of farmers through irrigation


Provides fish for local and commercial markets


Enables river transportation and trade


Supports industries, hydroelectric power, and oil activities in the Niger Delta


Entire communities—adults, children, and infants—grow up depending on the river for survival, culture, and identity.

🧠 Cultural Identity: Many Names, One River
Across Africa, the river bears different names:
Jeliba – Mandingo


Isa Ber – Songhai


Kworra – Hausa


Odo Oya – Yoruba


Oshimiri – Igbo


Mayo Balewo – Fulani


Gher – Tamasheq


Each name reflects reverence, power, and spiritual connection.



🎬 Closing
The River Niger is not just a river.
It is Africa’s memory, a conveyor of culture, a source of life, and a witness to history.
From ancient empires to modern cities, from children playing along its banks to farmers depending on its floods—the River Niger continues to flow, unchanged in purpose, unstoppable in impact

#documentary #travel #nature #trip #riverniger