The Sand River flows by the western edge of this town.

It has its source south of Mokopane and flows northwards across central Limpopo Province until it cuts across the Soutpansberg through a deep gorge, the Waterpoort.

Then it meanders northwards across the Lowveld until it joins the right bank of the Limpopo 7 kilometres (4 mi) east of Musina.

The veld in the Sand River basin has suffered much degradation, mainly due to overgrazing.

These areas are an important ecosystem for certain rare or endangered plants, as well as frog and bird species.