The Changane River, a tributary of the Limpopo, forms part of the province's eastern boundary.

The Rio dos Elefantes (Olifants River) flows into the province from the west through the Massingir Dam, to empty into the Limpopo.

The province, including the towns of Xai-Xai and Chokwe, were greatly affected by the 2000 Mozambique flood amid the month-long heavy rainfall accompanying Cyclone Leon-Eline.

Banhine National Park lies in the east-central portion of the province.

The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park and its associated conservation area, which is in the process of being formed, will cover the northern part of the province, including both national parks, and extend into adjacent parts of Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

It was carved out of the existing district of Xai-Xai and the District of Bilene Macia in 2016, stretching from the Administrative Post of Chissano to its south and north of the city of Macia on the national EN 1 highway.