Sand intrusion from the Namib Sand Sea into the Kuiseb River poses a threat to the economical budget and ecological use of the river. This problem is associated with the mobility of sand particles by winds. The present study reports the results that were obtained from quantitative observations of sand movement around Salvadora persica and !Nara (Acanthosicyos horrida) plant species. This case study was done at Gobabeb in the Central Namib Desert. The sand-trapping potential of the two Namib Desert shrubs were analysed and compared in terms of their effectiveness in enhancing sand accretion. Wind, humidity, and sand measurements demonstrate that !Nara (Acanthosicyos horrida) accretes sand more effectively than Salvadora persica. Keywords: Namib desert, kuiseb river, !nara, climate, vegetation, winds, vegetated dunes as sand stabilizers.