Matlabas River

Matlabas River Mothlabatsi Matlabasrivier
Location of the Matlabas River mouth
Etymology	Meaning "sandy river" in the Tswana language1
Location
Country	South Africa
State	Limpopo Province
Physical characteristics
Source	Waterberg Massif
• elevation	1,700 m (5,600 ft)
Mouth
• location	Limpopo River, South Africa/Botswana border
• coordinates	23°41′45″S 26°59′53″E / 23.69583°S 26.99806°E / -23.69583; 26.99806
• elevation	844 m (2,769 ft)
Length	161 kilometres
Basin size	3,448 km2 (1,331 sq mi)

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 kilometres.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 north-westwards 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