The Kabompo River is one of the main tributaries of the upper Zambezi River river. 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.

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. 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. The river enters the Zambezi north of the town of Lukulu, at the north end of the Barotse Floodplain.

Its main tributaries are the Western Lunga River which flows from the north, and the Dongwe River from the east.

Coordinates: 13°35′00″S 24°13′50″E / 13.5833333°S 24.23056°E / -13.5833333; 24.23056

Kabompo is a town in north-western of Zambia, lying on the Kabompo River with a population over 88,000 people and the M8 road. It is surrounded by teak forest and is home to a Roman Catholic mission.

Its most significant activity is probably the production of honey. You also find a water falls called Chikata. There is an air strip.

Kabompo House, No. J11a, Kabompo Township, to which Kenneth Kaunda (first president of post independence Zambia) was restricted by the Colonial authorities from March to July 1959 is a noted national monument.

There is an interesting cable ferry across the Kabompo River 80 km to the south-east.

Coordinates: 13°36′S 24°12′E / 13.6°S 24.2°E / -13.6; 24.2