The nara melon grows in the coastal region of the Namib Desert in Namibia, as far north as Mossamedes in southern Angola and as far south as Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape province of South Africa. It grows where underground water is available, colonizing shifting sand dunes. The name nara melon is derived from the name of one of the areas where it is commonly found, the Nara hills, which is in turn derived from the indigenous Topnaars' language, Nama, in which it is known as !nara (the ! denoting a palatial click of the tongue). At Sandfontein east of Walvis Bay, advancing dunes have forced the Kuisib River beneath the ground. This creates ideal conditions for the Naras to grow.