The Crocodile River is one of the major rivers in Mpumalanga, originating north of Dullstroom in the Steenkampsberg Mountains and flowing eastward past Nelspruit before joining the Komati River at Komatipoort, near the Mozambique border. It drains a catchment area of 10,446 km² and is fed by several tributaries, including the Elands River and the Nels River. The river passes through the Schoemanskloof valley, descends via Montrose Falls, and traverses the Lowveld agricultural area, bordering the Kruger National Park in its lower reaches.

The most commonly paddled section runs from Kwena Dam to Montrose, covering approximately 17 km and typically taking 4 to 6 hours. This stretch is the course of the annual Lowveld Crocodile Marathon, a two-day event. At a typical race flow of 10 cumecs as released from Kwena Dam, the section is graded 2 to 4 and is best suited to K1 kayaks. Paddlers should be alert to numerous weirs, low-level bridges, and overhanging or fallen trees throughout this run. The put-in is at a bridge where a dirt road crosses the river; the dirt road turn-off from the R535 is 21 km from Hazyview toward Graskop. The take-out is at the confluence with the Sabie River.

Permits are required for this section: permission from the Sappi Office is needed for upper portions, and permission from Induna Adventures is required at the take-out. Induna's office is located just across the tarred road from the take-out point. The section is described as dam-controlled, with levels paddleable at any release.

The Crocodile Gorge is a separate, distinct section that carries a significantly more serious character. The stretches of river below Montrose are inhabited by herds of hippo and are explicitly noted as unsuitable for paddling. The river flows through the Nelspruit industrial area and the Lowveld agricultural area, and water abstractions for irrigated fruit and sugar cane farming have reduced flow levels in the lower reaches. Upstream of Kwena Dam, the river is known as a trout fishing destination, though this section is not described as a paddling route.