It flows entirely in Zambia, rising to the east of the source of the Zambezi, in North-Western Province along the watershed between the Zambezi and Congo river basins which also forms the border between Zambia and DR Congo.

[citation needed] It is the second deepest river in Africa and one of the top five in the world.

The Kabompo River flows south-west through miombo woodland, then a remote Cryptosepalum dry forest ecoregion, with the West Lunga National Park on its west bank.

[citation needed] After flowing past the town of Kabompo, it develops a swampy floodplain up to 5 km wide.

The Kabompo Ferry on its lower course carries the main north–south gravel highway on the eastern side of the Zambezi.