Discovering the many spaces and faces of the Kalahari

For those unfamiliar with this vast, wild and beautiful land, the Kalahari can seem a little daunting. Is
it a desert? A region? Yes to both. The Kalahari is a large semi-arid sandy savanna in Southern
Africa covering 900,000 km2(350,000 sq mi) including much of Botswana as well as parts of Namibia
and South Africa. It spans countries and ranges in terrain.

The name ‘Kalahari’ comes from the Tswana words kgala, meaning ‘the great thirst’, or kgalagadi,
meaning ‘a waterless place’. This name refers to the region’s arid landscape, which is dominated by
red sand and areas with no permanent surface water, even though some parts receive more rainfall
than a traditional desert.

So when you set out to explore the Kalahari, you’re not just heading into a single desert. You’re
embarking on a journey through a tapestry of regions – each with its own character, landscapes, and
rhythm. Spread across southern Africa, the Kalahari reveals everything from red dunes to grassy
plains, arid savannas to woodland patches.

The Central Kalahari: at the Heart of Botswana

Right in the middle of Botswana lies the Central Kalahari, a region that surprises with its unexpected
richness. Think sweeping grasslands interwoven with acacia woodlands, where herds of springbok
amble across the plains and elusive black‑maned lions patrol the dunes. The famed Central Kalahari
Game Reserve – divided into zones such as the Dune Woodlands, Central Grassland Plain and
Thornveld – shows just how varied this landscape can be.

Kgalagadi Region: Red Sand and Endless Sky

Over in the borderlands of Botswana and South Africa, the Kgalagadi Region beckons with the bold
red dunes of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Here the sky seems infinite, the sun intense, and the
dry riverbeds – like the Nossob  – wind through the arid savanna. It’s wild, remote, and powerful.

Namibian Kalahari: Where Two Worlds Merge

Moving westward, the Namibian Kalahari forms the eastern‐third of Namibia – where the Kalahari
gradually blends into the Namib Desert. In places like Keetmanshoop, fossil fields and ancient trees
mark a landscape shaped by time and wind. This is beauty in transition.

South African Kalahari: the Allure of the Northern Cape

Spanning some of South Africa’s Northern Cape province, the Kalahari takes on a more lived‑in feel.
Towns like Askham, Hotazel and Kathu sit quietly amid camel thorn trees and seasonal rivers like the
Molopo and the Nossob. Here, the land is not quite as unpopulated, and has a history and culture all
its own.

The Greater Basin: Beyond the Obvious

And then there’s the broader picture: the Kalahari Basin stretches into parts of Angola, Zambia and
Zimbabwe. It even brushes up alongside the Okavango Delta. All of which reminds us: the Kalahari is
not just one place. It’s a collection of places – each deep in history, rich in life and waiting to be
explored.

Chat to us about adding the magical Kalahari to your next travel itinerary, and we’ll help you explore
new places with the preparation that makes the experience seamless.