Physical Map of Africa: Rivers, Mountains, Deserts and Lakes

A physical map of Africa reveals the natural shape of the continent: its deserts, rainforests, rivers, lakes, highlands and mountain ranges. Where a political map shows country borders and capitals, a physical map shows the landscape itself, from the sands of the Sahara to the snows of Kilimanjaro. Africa is the second-largest continent, covering about 30.3 million square kilometres, and its physical geography is among the most varied on Earth. Explore the interactive map below, then read on for the continent's defining natural features.

Deserts

Deserts dominate large parts of Africa's physical map, both north and south of the equator.

• The Sahara – the world's largest hot desert, covering roughly 9 million km² across North Africa from the Atlantic to the Red Sea.
• The Kalahari – a vast semi-arid basin spanning Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.
• The Namib – one of the oldest deserts on Earth, running along the Atlantic coast of Namibia.

Rivers

Africa's rivers have shaped its civilisations, agriculture and borders for millennia.

• The Nile – the longest river in Africa (≈6,650 km), flowing north to the Mediterranean.
• The Congo – the deepest river in the world and the heart of Central Africa's rainforest basin.
• The Niger – West Africa's principal river, curving through Mali, Niger and Nigeria.
• The Zambezi – home to Victoria Falls, draining Southern Africa into the Indian Ocean.

Lakes and the Great Rift Valley

East Africa is defined by the Great Rift Valley, a continental fracture stretching thousands of kilometres and cradling some of the world's largest lakes.

• Lake Victoria – Africa's largest lake and the world's largest tropical lake.
• Lake Tanganyika – the world's second-deepest and second-oldest freshwater lake.
• Lake Malawi – famed for its extraordinary diversity of fish species.

Mountains and Highlands

From volcanic peaks to ancient ranges, Africa's high ground is concentrated in the east and north-west.

• Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa's highest point at 5,895 m, in Tanzania.
• Mount Kenya – the continent's second-highest peak.
• The Atlas Mountains – a 2,500 km chain across Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.
• The Ethiopian Highlands – often called the "Roof of Africa".

Forests, Savannas and the Sahel

Between desert and rainforest lies a series of broad climate belts that mirror the continent's physical map. The Congo Basin rainforest, the second-largest on Earth, straddles the equator. To its north and south stretch tropical savannas teeming with wildlife. The Sahel, a semi-arid transition zone, separates the Sahara from the savanna and is the focus of the Great Green Wall reforestation initiative.

Physical Map vs Political Map

Physical and political maps describe the same continent in two different languages. A physical map explains why the political map looks the way it does: rivers and mountain ranges often became borders, deserts isolated kingdoms, and fertile valleys concentrated population. To see the human side of the map, explore our political map of Africa or browse the full list of African countries.

Using This Interactive Physical Map

The interactive map above lets you zoom across deserts, river systems and mountain ranges using open mapping data. It is a helpful study aid for geography students, teachers building lesson plans, and anyone curious about the natural wonders of Africa. Ready to test what you have learned? Try the Africa map quiz.