Kalahari Desert

Unforgettable impressions of the largest stretch of sand on earth – green acacias and yellow grass on the red sand.

They are only 15 to 30m, hundreds of kilometres long – the longitudinal dunes of the Kalahari.  The sand, remnants of mountain ranges which have long since disappeared, was deposited in southern Africa’s interior over millions of years and forms the largest continuous stretch of sand on earth.  Constant winds ‘swept’ the sand into long dunes running parallel to one another; during more humid times a cover of plants secured them.  The landscape of dunes and yellow savannah is home to many animals, such as Oryx antelope, springbok, bat-eared fox, ostrich, jackal, hare & porcupine that inhabit the dunes and dune valleys, also referred to as ‘streets’.

• One of the four desert biomes of Namibia (southern Kalahari, Nama Karoo (Fish River Canyon, succulent Karoo (Aus) and the Namib).
• The Bushman, the oldest inhabitants of Namibia have roamed the length & breadth of this area for thousands of years.
• Either a one or two night stay depending on your interests in the area.
• A variety of lodges in the area who offer activities such as:  nature walks, nature drives and horse riding.  One Lodge has a custodianship program with the Cheetah Conservation Fund whereby they have been granted ‘ownership’ of these predators under specific guidelines.  Another in the area has a lion rehabilitation program.
• Mata Mata gate on Namibia’s eastern border leading into South Africa side and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (Kalahari Gemsbok National Park) has re-opened.
• A good area to see meerkats.