Gamka River

Gamka River
Gamkarivier
River
Name origin: From "lion" in the Khoisan language
Country	South Africa
State	Western Cape Province
Source	North of Beaufort West
- elevation	1,400 m (4,593 ft)
- coordinates	32°11′S 22°35′E / 32.183°S 22.583°E / -32.183; 22.583
Mouth	Gourits River
- elevation	516 m (1,693 ft)
- coordinates	33°40′55″S 21°42′58″E / 33.68194°S 21.71611°E / -33.68194; 21.71611Coordinates: 33°40′55″S 21°42′58″E / 33.68194°S 21.71611°E / -33.68194; 21.71611
Location of the Olifants River mouth

Gamka River (Afrikaans: Gamkarivier) is a river located in the Western Cape, South Africa. The name 'Gamka' means 'Lion' and was probably named so by the San people (Bushmen). The river originates north of Beaufort West, generally flowing southwest towards the Gamkapoort Dam.

The main tributaries of the Gamka River, are the Dwyka River, Koekemoers River and Leeuw River which rise in the Great Karoo, converge and flow southwards through the Swartberg Mountains. The Olifants River joins the Gamka River south of Calitzdorp. Together these become the Gourits River.

The Gamka River flows from the North East of the Gamka Dam and the Dwyka River from the North West. Both rivers flow into the Gamka Dam from there the Gamka river flows south and becomes the Gourits River at Calitzdorp, where it flows past the similarly named mountains Gamkaberg.