They extend north and south from southwestern Angola to central Namibia, east of the coastal Namib Desert.

The ecoregion lacks the moderating influence on temperature and humidity that the Benguela Current brings to the coastal deserts to the west.

Large mammal herbivores in the ecoregion include the African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana), black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis), greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis), gemsbok (Oryx gazella), Damara dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii damarensis), and black-faced impala (Aepyceros melampus petersi).

[2] Limited-range species and subspecies native to the ecoregion include Hartmann's mountain zebra (Equus zebra hartmannae), Angolan slender mongoose (Galerella flavescens), Shortridge's rock mouse (Petromyscus shortridgei), Angolan hairy bat (Cistugo seabrae), and Namib long-eared bat (Laephotis namibensis).

[2] The Namib-Naukluft National Park lies mostly west of the ecoregion in the Namib desert, but also includes the Naukluft Mountains and portions of the western escarpment.