The present paper is the second of a series aimed at reviewing present knowledge of the gammaridean and caprellid amphipod fauna of Africa south of 20°S. The first of the series (Griffiths 1973) dealt with the coast of Mocambique below 20°S and recognized 65 species, 3 of them new to science and over 30 new to Mocambique. South West Africa has been chosen as the second area for analysis since its fauna makes an interesting comparison with that of Mocambique, particularly because collecting effort in the two areas has been comparable. The marine environment of South West Africa is considerably colder than that of Mocambique, the dominant water current being the northerly flowing Benguela current, in contrast with the warm Mocambique current which bathes the east coast. The flow of the Benguela current is most intense in summer with a flow of 0,5 to 1 knot 150 km offshore between 34°S and 23°S. At Walvis Bay temperature at 50 m varies between 17°C in summer and 10°C in winter. Off Mocambique the main body of the southward flowing current passes some 90 to 120 km offshore at a surface velocity of about 3 knots (the velocity falling rapidly with depth). Inshore counter-currents often form, their intensities varying with local wind conditions. Temperature at 50 m varies from 24 to 27°C