Kalahari desert

The desert of great thirst, rich in life

The Kalahari is a vast semi‑arid region in southern Africa, covering almost one million km². It occupies much of Botswana, the eastern strip of Namibia and the northern part of South Africa. Its name derives from the Tswana word kgala, “great thirst,” or from kgalagadi, “place without water.

The Kalahari Desert doesn’t fit the traditional definition of a desert, but rather a sandy savanna intersected by many diverse landscapes and habitats. It also includes the salt pans of Etosha National Park in Namibia and the Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana. We can describe it as a living desert that, in areas where the rust-red dunes alternate with golden grasslands and acacia woodlands, hosts a rich and diverse fauna: numerous species of antelope such as oryx and springbok, as well as hyenas, lions, ostriches, and many other bird species. Furthermore, it offers the chance to observe some smaller creatures: meerkats, porcupines, honey badgers, and – with a bit of luck – pangolins.

In the Kalahari Desert, there are still groups of San, also known as bushmen, the oldest population in southern Africa, who have lived in this area for over 30,000 years. Studies highlight their close genetic connection to Homo sapiens.

Would you like to include the Kalahari Desert in your trip? Discover our organized itineraries below, or request a tailor-made program.