Kalahari Desert

The Kalahari is estimated to be roughly 60 million years old, giving it some of the oldest history in the world. The desert gets its name from the Tswana word 'Kgala', which means The Great Thirst. This is an accurate name given to this drought-prone area.

The Kalahari has several game reserves and other conservation areas. The reserves include the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (The second largest protected area in the world), Khutse Game Reserve, and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

The Okavango River is the only permanent river that flows through the desert. During the rainy season, temporary rivers and several tributaries that flow into the Limpopo River are formed. This water source makes the Kalahari a semi-desert.

Sun Safaris can book a tailor-made safari incorporating the Kalahari Desert with some of Botswana and Namibia's most pristine areas.

Suricate Kalahari Tented Lodge offers a private and peaceful location in the enormous Intu Africa Kalahari Game Reserve. Accommodation is luxurious and guests can enjoy traditional walk-in safari tents with en-suite facilities.

Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch offers a unique and private desert setting in the heart of the pristine Kalahari; this small and intimate lodge offers luxury and style and tread lightly on the environment.

Zebra Kalahari Lodge offers a traditional desert experience in the heart of the Kalahari; situated in the enormous 10 000 hectare Intu Afrika Kalahari Game Reserve with its fascinating red sand dunes and beautiful desert scenery.

Camelthorn Kalahari Lodge is set in a protected valley hidden amongst ancient Camelthorn trees in the Intu Afrika Kalahari Private Game Reserve. Accommodation in this private location is provided in comfortable thatched chalets situated underneath the trees offering ensuite facilities.

How to Get There

The Kalahari is the largest desert in Africa and in its entirety, stretches over 7 different countries. In Namibia, it takes up much of the eastern part of the country.

Guests visiting Namibia on a self-drive holiday can (and should!) incorporate the Kalahari. Depending on destination, the drive from Windhoek can take the better part of a day and it is recommended that one use a 4WD, as there are some mountain passes that require a bit of manouvering.

Alternatively, Sun Safaris can book guests in at one of the beautifully located lodges in the Kalahari area. It would be very beneficial for visitors to tour the area with one of the experienced guides, and the quick travel by flight will suit our guests' tailor-made itineraries.

Sun Safaris will book guests on flights to Windhoek (Namibia's capital city and safari gateway), from where they will connect with scheduled flights to an airstrip close to their Kalahari destination. Guests will be collected from the local airstrip by their hosts and driven to their booked accommodation.

Kalahari Desert Game Viewing and Activities

The Kalahari Desert also referred to as the Kalahari Thirstland; regardless of irregular and unpredictable rainfall the area supports a wide variety of desert-adapted fauna and flora. Visitors can experience this unique ecosystem; observe magical sunsets and wildlife such as gemsbok, springbok, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, as well as smaller desert animals.

The birdlife is prolific and a highlight would be to meet and interact with the San Bushmen, a rare opportunity, a guided walk accompanied by a Bushman tracker to learn about their survival skills in this harsh and arid environment.

The Kalahari is also the area most famous for the black-maned lions. These huge cats are specially adapted to the harsh environment, like their fellow desert-dwellers, and can go months without drinking water. They receive most of their fluids from the meat they eat and they travel very far distances in search of prey, particularly in the dry months.