List of rivers of Namibia facts for kids

Namibia is a country in southern Africa. Even though it's known for its vast deserts, it also has many rivers and streams! These waterways are super important for people, animals, and plants, especially in a dry place like Namibia.

This article will help you explore the main rivers and streams in Namibia. We'll see where they flow, whether into the big Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, or into special areas called endorheic basins where the water stays within the land.

Rivers Flowing to the Atlantic Ocean

Many of Namibia's rivers flow west towards the huge Atlantic Ocean. These rivers often don't flow all year round. They might only have water after heavy rains, especially in the dry season.

• Hoanib River: This river is in the northwest of Namibia. It often flows underground or only for short periods.
  • Some smaller streams that join it include the Aap River and Ombonde River.
• Hoarusib River: Another river in the dry northwest, known for its beautiful desert landscapes.
• Huab River: This river also flows towards the Atlantic. It has several smaller branches.
  • Important branches include the Aba Huab River and Klip River.
• Khumib River: Found in the northern parts of the Namib Desert.
• Koigab River: This river also has smaller streams like the Springbok River.
• Kuiseb River: This river is famous because it forms a natural border between the sand dunes of the Namib Desert and the gravel plains.
  • Some of its branches are the Gaub River and Gomab River.
• Kunene River: This is a major river that forms part of the border between Namibia and Angola. It's one of the few rivers in Namibia that flows all year.
• Messum River: A smaller river in the western desert.
• Omaruru River: This river flows through the town of Omaruru.
  • Branches include the Leeu River and Spitzkop River.
• Orange River: This is the longest river in Southern Africa and forms the southern border of Namibia with South Africa. It's a very important river for the region.

Location of the lower Orange river (bottom) and some of its tributaries

• • Fish River: This is the longest river entirely within Namibia and a major branch of the Orange River. It's famous for the Fish River Canyon, one of the largest canyons in the world!
  • Nossob River: This river flows through the Kalahari Desert. It's usually dry but can flow strongly after heavy rains.
    • The Auob River and White Nossob River are branches of the Nossob.
• Orawab River: A smaller river flowing to the Atlantic.
• Swakop River: This river flows into the Atlantic near the city of Swakopmund.
  • Its branches include the Khan River and Omusema River.
• Ugab River: Another important river in the western part of the country.
  • The Erundu River and Uis River are some of its branches.
• Uniab River: Located in the Skeleton Coast area.
  • It has branches like the Aub River and Kawakab River.

Rivers Flowing to the Indian Ocean

Only a few rivers in Namibia eventually reach the Indian Ocean, which is on the eastern side of Africa.

• Zambezi: This is one of Africa's largest rivers. A small part of the Zambezi forms Namibia's northeastern border.
  • Kwando River: This river is also known as the Linyanti River or Chobe River in different sections. It flows through the Caprivi Strip in northeastern Namibia and eventually joins the Zambezi.

Rivers Flowing into Endorheic Basins

Some rivers in Namibia don't reach the ocean at all! Instead, they flow into special areas called endorheic basins. This means the water collects in a low-lying area, like a pan or a swamp, and then evaporates or sinks into the ground.

Arasab Pan

• Arasab River: This river flows into the Arasab Pan, a large, flat area where water collects.

Etosha Pan

The Etosha Pan is a huge, dry salt pan in northern Namibia. Many rivers flow towards it, but their water usually evaporates before reaching the center of the pan.

• Akazulu River
• Cuvelai River: This river system is very important for the people living in northern Namibia, as it brings water during the rainy season.
• Ekuma River
• Etosha River
• Nipele River
• Okatana River
• Omuramba Ovambo: An "omuramba" is a dry riverbed that only flows after heavy rains.
• Omuthiya River
• Oshigambo River

Koichab Pan

• Koichab River: This river flows into the Koichab Pan in the southern Namib Desert.

Okau Swamp

• Munutum River: This river feeds into the Okau Swamp.

Okavango Delta

The Okavango Delta is a huge, unique wetland in Botswana, fed by the Okavango River. Some Namibian rivers contribute to this system.

• Eiseb River
• Epukiro River
• Daneib River
• Khaudom River
• Nhoma River
• Okavango River: This major river flows from Angola, through Namibia, and then spreads out into the vast Okavango Delta in Botswana. It's a lifeline for wildlife.
  • The Omatako Omuramba is a large dry riverbed that sometimes feeds into the Okavango system.
• Otjozondjou River

Sossusvlei

Sossusvlei is a famous clay pan surrounded by giant red dunes in the Namib Desert.

• Tsauchab: This river flows into Sossusvlei, but its water rarely reaches the pan, usually sinking into the sand before it gets there.
  • The Zebra River is a branch of the Tsauchab.

Tsondabvlei

• Tsondab River: This river flows into the Tsondabvlei, another pan in the Namib Desert.
  • Its branches include the Diep River and Noab River.

Unnamed Pans

• Duwisib River: This river flows into a pan near Duwisib Castle.

Rivers Evaporating in the Desert

Many rivers in Namibia simply disappear into the dry desert sands, evaporating or soaking into the ground before they can reach any larger body of water or pan.

Kalahari Desert

The Kalahari is a large, semi-arid sandy savanna.

• Chapman's River
• Rietfontein River

Namib Desert

The Namib is one of the oldest and driest deserts in the world.

• Kaukausib
• Hunkab River
• Nadas River, Namibia|Nadas River
• Ondusengo River
• Sechomib River
• Tumas River
• Uguchab River