Several settlements of the Topnaar people are on the banks of the lower Kuiseb, for instance Homeb, Sandfontein, Rooibank, and Utuseb.

[1][2] Inflows of the Kuiseb are Gomab, Ojab, Chausib, Gaub, Koam, Nausgomab and Goagos.

On its course through the Namib the Kuiseb is bordered on one side by some of the tallest sand dunes in the world, and on the other by barren rock.

[8] In 1907, the area between the Swakop River and the Kuiseb was designated by the German colonial administration as a game reserve.

The Desert Research Foundation of Namibia (DRFN) is located at Gobabeb on the banks of the river.