He was unable to cross the Cunene River, so he had to turn back. His condition had worsened during his journey to the Cunene and, on the return journey, he died on 9 July 1867. He was buried by another Swede, Axel Eriksson. After his death, Andersson's wife and children continued to live in Africa, in the Cape Colony. His father published notes from some of his expeditions in the book ""Notes of Travel in South-Western Africa"".