Ephemeral rivers often look much the same: dry, sandy watercourses lined by thick bush and trees. But there is a great deal of variation in Namibia's ephemeral rivers. The starkest difference is between the rivers to the west and east of the watershed (figure 4.01). To these two groups can be added a third – the Cuvelai, an ephemeral drainage system sandwiched between the west and east in northern Namibia (figure 4.09).

The rivers to the west of the watershed divide flow westwards – except for the Fish River which flows southwards – and tend to function as we expect of 'typical' rivers. They start as small fast-moving streams with a strong hierarchy of tributaries and clear paths of flow along ruts and channels down steep highland slopes. When they flow, their energy in these upper reaches is significant, eroding the surrounding landscape and carving characteristic boulder-laden riverbeds. As they make their way downstream to gentler gradients, their flows slow and their beds widen before their waters enter the Atlantic Ocean or percolate into the Namib's sands. Compare the Swakop, Kuiseb and Tsauchab Rivers in figure 4.01: the Swakop has a clear mouth into the sea at Swakopmund; the Kuiseb disappears into a sandy delta south of Walvis Bay but occasionally breaks through to the lagoon at Walvis Bay, while the Tsauchab completes its journey in Sossusvlei, some 55 kilometres east of the coast (as the seagull flies). South of Sossusvlei, no ephemeral rivers reach anywhere near the coast.

By contrast, the rivers to the east of the divide flow in an easterly direction and start as larger, slower, sandier rivers. Along their lengths these eastern rivers drop little in elevation, and so have lower energy and limited erosional potential. Many of the smaller rivers and tributaries are often poorly defined and hard to see, and might not flow for decades or even centuries – or may only flow for short distances. All of these rivers wander across thick Arenosol sands until their sluggish flows fizzle away as the water seeps into the porous sand below. While there is little flow above ground, these rivers do recharge groundwater and, in some areas, form pans which become temporary oases.