Photo of Ivy, author of The African Gourmet

About the Author

Ivy is the researcher and writer behind The African Gourmet, blending African food, history, and cultural storytelling. Her work is cited by universities, Wikipedia, major news outlets, and global food writers.

View citations →

Start Your African Journey

From political insights through food to traditional wisdom and modern solutions - explore Africa's depth.

The Disappearing Rivers of Namibia: Africa’s Ephemeral Waterways

Explore More Content

📁 disappearing rivers of Africa 📁 Etosha National Park hydrology 📁 Kuiseb River floods 📁 Namib Desert water 📁 Namibia ephemeral rivers 📁 Ugab River Namibia

Why Namibia’s Rivers Disappear After the Rain

Studying seven disappearing rivers of Africa and why do rivers disappear. Ekuma River Fish River Hoanib River Khan River Kuiseb River Oshigambo River Ugab River

Map showing the Ekuma River, one of seven disappearing rivers in Namibia Africa that flow only after rainfall.
The Ekuma River is one of the seven disappearing rivers in Namibia Africa.

Namibia Ephemeral Rivers

Within the drier areas of Namibia in Africa, the majority of rivers are ephemeral, with some experiencing flow very rarely and others experiencing flow more frequently, but still intermittently. Ephemeral  means lasting for a very short time.

The majority of flow events occurs in direct response to major rainfall events and is frequently of short duration. The majority of the streamflow will be derived from runoff generated on the catchment surface with only a small contribution derived from drainage out of saturated soils and rocks. The latter may form a larger component of the total flow in a single event after prolonged rainfall events when subsurface storage is more effectively recharged.

In some areas of the country, ephemeral rivers may experience extended periods of still water pondage within their channels. This would mainly be caused by very slow groundwater seepage that is sufficient to maintain a pool, but not sufficient to overcome evaporation losses and generate channel flow. Evaporation will cause progressive concentration of salts.

Namibian villagers carrying water from an ephemeral river that disappears after the rainy season.

Carrying water from a disappearing river in Namibia Africa
About the seven disappearing rivers of Namibia Africa

Ekuma River

Ekuma River is one of the three rivers that supply a majority of water to the pan in the Etosha National Park in Namibia. The other two rivers being Oshigambo River and Omurambo Ovambo River. Ekumo is an ephemeral river that occasionally flows, or forms pools, during the rainy season. It originates from the southern shores of Lake Oponono and is 160 miles long.

Fish River

The flow of the river is seasonal; in winter, the river can dry up completely.

Hoanib River

The Hoanib flows only every few years from heavy rainfall in the hinterland of the catchment area, but then the flood wave can be several meters high and last for several days.

Khan River

The Khan River cross the Erongo region of central Namibia. It is the main tributary of the Swakop River and only occasionally carries surface water during the rain seasons in November and March.is an ephemeral river crossing the Erongo region of central Namibia. It is the main tributary of the Swakop River and only occasionally carries surface water during the rain seasons in November and March.

Kuiseb River

The Kuiseb River rises in the mountains to the west of Windhoek, Namib and flows for 300 miles in a semicircle into the cool coastal Namib Desert, where it normally dies out; in rare flood years, it may reach the seas of the Atlantic Ocean south of Walvis Bay.

Oshigambo River

The Oshigambo River is an ephemeral river in central-northern Namibia, flowing into Etosha Pan. It almost never carries surface water.

Ugab River

The Ugab River is an ephemeral river that only flows above the surface of its sandy bed a few days each year.

Now that you know about the disappearing rivers of Namibia Africa, let's learn more about the country.

Namibia Name and Land Facts

Namibia is in Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa with a terrain of mostly high plateau, the Namib Desert along coast and the Kalahari Desert in east. The Namib Desert, after which the country is named, is considered to be the oldest desert in the world. Namibia is the first country in the world to incorporate the protection of the environment into its constitution; some 14 percent of the land is protected, including virtually the entire Namib Desert coastal strip; Namib-Naukluft National Park 49,768 sq km, is the largest game park in Africa and one of the largest in the world.

About the population and people of Namibia

Due to prolonged periods of drought and two deserts in this African country, the population density is very low, with the largest clustering found in the extreme north-central area along the border with Angola. Around 45 percent of Namibians are Urbanites while 55 percent are rural dwellers.

Brief look at Namibia’s economy

Namibia’s economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for about 12.5 percent of GDP, but provides more than 50 percent of foreign exchange earnings. Namibia is one of the world’s largest producers of uranium and also produces large quantities of zinc and is a smaller producer of gold and copper. The Namibian economy is closely linked to its neighbor country of South Africa.


Together we build awareness that boost harmony, education, and success, below are more links to articles you will find thought provoking.

The African Gourmet explores how African food, history, and science intertwine. Here, a plant is a healer, a story is a map, and the kitchen is a laboratory. I’m Ivy — a writer raised by historians, now sharing Africa’s wisdom from the U.S. through cookbooks, cultural research, and storytelling. If you’re curious about where flavor meets memory, you belong here.

Recipes Explain Politics

🍚

🍚 When Rice Recipes Become Revolution

What if your grandmother's rice recipe could explain the Liberian Rice Riots of 1979?

"In Liberia, rice isn't just food—it's life, identity, and sovereignty. When the government proposed raising rice prices in 1979, they weren't just adjusting economics; they were threatening every grandmother's ability to feed her family according to traditions passed down for generations. The riot that followed wasn't about politics—it was about the sacred right to cook your family's rice recipe."

🍲 The Deeper Recipe:

  • Ingredients: Colonial trade patterns + Urbanization + Economic inequality
  • Preparation: Political disconnect from daily survival needs
  • Serving: 40+ deaths, regime destabilization, and a warning about ignoring cultural fundamentals

This is African Gourmet analysis: understanding how the food in grandmother's pot connects to the protests in the streets. The recipes we inherit carry not just flavor, but the entire history of our political and economic struggles.

Understanding Africa through the stories our food tells • Since 2006

Africa Worldwide: Top Reads

Africa × World: Editor's Picks

Cross-continental food, science, history, and cultural exchanges.

African Gourmet FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Why "The African Gourmet" if you cover more than just food?

Great question! While many associate "gourmet" exclusively with cuisine, its true meaning is "a connoisseur" – someone with refined taste and deep expertise. For over 18 years, I've served as a gourmet of African culture at large, savoring and presenting the continent's rich history, vibrant traditions, timeless wisdom, and contemporary stories with the same discerning palate one would apply to fine food. The name reflects my commitment to curating Africa's cultural wealth with authority and passion.

What makes The African Gourmet different from other culture sites?

With 18 years of consistent publishing, I offer depth and continuity that's rare online. I don't just report on African culture – I contextualize it, connecting traditional wisdom with modern realities, and food with folklore, politics, and daily life. It's a holistic view of Africa's past, present, and future, all through the lens of a seasoned cultural storyteller.

How do you choose what to write about?

My content selection is driven by a desire to showcase Africa's incredible diversity and challenge stereotypes. I balance covering foundational cultural elements (like proverbs and recipes) with timely analysis of current events (like the AGOA trade agreement). The goal is always to educate and illuminate the complex, dynamic realities of the African continent.

Do you focus on specific regions of Africa?

My coverage spans the entire continent – from North to South, East to West. While certain stories may focus on specific countries or regions, my mission is to represent the breathtaking diversity of 54 countries and thousands of cultures. I make a conscious effort to include both well-known and underrepresented cultures in my work.

Can I request a topic or contribute to the site?

I welcome thoughtful topic suggestions from engaged readers! While I maintain editorial control to ensure quality and consistency, I'm always interested in hearing what aspects of African culture you're curious about. Feel free to reach out through my contact page with your ideas.

How can I support The African Gourmet's work?

The greatest support is engaged readership – sharing articles you find valuable, participating in discussions, and helping spread cultural understanding. Following the blog and sharing it with others who would appreciate this unique perspective on Africa helps this 18-year labor of love continue to grow and reach new audiences.