Travelling through the red dust of the Kalahari, taking in all of the unique sights that can only be found in this ancient desert, you’ll be entranced by all that the rolling sands have to offer.

The Kalahari is, without a doubt, one of those places on just about every African bucket list. If you are one of those travellers planning a visit to this inspiring, old land, you would probably want to know as much as you possibly can about the desert. The more research you do, the better you can plan your travels. Knowing what is out there, and what you will be able to see, means you can draw up a list of places and miss nothing while you are here. And besides, learning new things is always fun!

The Kalahari is not all desert, in fact, it is one of the few deserts that are only semi-arid and receive too much rain for it to be considered a desert in terms of the definition. The moment the rains fall, they are sucked up into the land, leaving nothing behind. The desert never floods and there are very few permanent water pools around. That being said, the Kalahari is home to a multitude of animals and plants which have adapted to the unique conditions.

When on a Kalahari safari or tour, you can expect to see plenty of incredible things along the way. And knowing a few facts before you can make the whole experience so worthwhile.

Kalahari Facts

1. Proper Desert Temperatures

We said the Kalahari is not a desert in the true sense of the word, but it does have real desert temperatures. Just like any other arid place, the Kalahari is a place of extremes. The summers are often excruciatingly hot while the winters are truly freezing. This means you need to pack accordingly, depending on the season during which you will be travelling.

2. A Shared Place

The Kalahari is truly a place of the people and the desert is spread over 3 nations; South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. And all three countries are committed to protecting this beautiful place. Animal populations can roam freely between the countries, giving people the opportunity to see all kinds of stunning wildlife.

3. About the Wildlife

The animals you’ll see when on a Kalahari safari vary and are quite an exquisite array of populations. From rhinos to famous black lions, the animal populations are one of the biggest reasons why people book a tour of the Kalahari. The animals that have adapted to the conditions of the environment include gemsbok (or oryx), springbok, kudu, steenbok, duiker, and wildebeest. The desert is also home to unique creatures including the brown hyena, bat-eared foxes, the cape fox and families of meerkat. Cheetah, lion and leopard have also been spotted here, although they are a rare sight.

And while there is a chance that you see all kinds of animals, you should also keep a lookout for birds. Giant Eagle Owls, falcons, goshawks, kestrels and martial eagles all have a home here.

4. Even the plants have adapted

The soil in the desert is capable of retaining water more effectively than the soil found in other deserts. To survive the harsh environment, many of the plants of the Kalahari have deep roots and are quite dense. The root systems allow them to easily reach water sources while the dense nature of the plants means they are able to store water for times when water might be scarce. The Kalahari is mostly home to grass and shrubs along with a few trees.

5. A Unique Language

One of the rarest languages of the world comes out of the Kalahari. It’s called Taa, and it is only spoken among about 5000 people. This unique Khoisan language is spoken mostly in Botswana and it has the most vowels and consonants than any other language on earth. Taa has a number of dialects and is linked to the greater language known as Tuu.

6. The Dunes Don’t Walk

In many other deserts, the dunes will wander as the wind blows the sands. But in the Kalahari, the dunes stay still and the landscape does not change. This is in complete contrast to the dunes of its famous neighbour, the Namib.

7. Home of the Bushmen

For over 20 000 years, the San Bushmen have made their homes in the Kalahari. They still live in the desert, living much the same lifestyle as they have for thousands of years. These people live a hunter-gather lifestyle and their population numbers 90 000. Theirs is one of the oldest cultures on the planet.

Booking the perfect Kalahari tour is the best way to see this desert stuck in time. Cross Over Africa take guests to some of the best places and most sought-after attractions.