It originates north of Dullstroom, Mpumalanga, in the Steenkampsberg Mountains.

Downstream of Kwena Dam, the Crocodile River winds through the Schoemanskloof and down the Montrose Falls.

It then flows eastwards past Nelspruit and joins the Komati River at Komatipoort.

The decrease in the flow of the river is due to water abstractions for irrigated fruit and sugar cane farming.

Elands River, famous for its waterfalls, rises on the grassland plateau of the Drakensberg mountains near the town of Machadodorp while the Nels River rises on the Drakensberg as well .