7 Fun Kalahari Desert Facts - From Kalahari San & Geology to Biodiversity

With wide-open, barren landscapes and the occasional roaring of black-maned lions on otherwise quiet nights, the Kalahari Desert is an adventurer’s dream destination. This fascinating desert offers an unforgettable safari experience and exceptional photographic opportunities for its visitors. 

Now, before you set off to experience the Kalahari Desert for yourself, we thought we’d share a few facts that give this sand-covered plain its unique appeal.

1. The Kalahari is not a true desert

Well, not in the traditional sense. It is called a desert but the Kalahari is actually a semi-arid savanna that receives between 250 and 500 millimeters of rain each year. This is about double the amount of rainfall a true desert receives, making the Kalahari Desert more accommodating to plant and animal life.

Pale chanting goshawks in Kalahari, Botswana

2. The Kalahari extends through multiple countries

The Kalahari Desert spans 930,000km² (359,075mi²), an area twice the size of California state. It covers most of Botswana, the Northern Cape province of South Africa, and eastern Namibia.

Kalahari - landscape in South Africa

3. The Kalahari second-largest desert in Africa

The Kalahari Desert is one of three deserts in Africa - the Sahara and Namib Desert are the other two. It is the second-largest desert after the Sahara and the sixth-largest in the world in terms of area.

Kalahari Desert Namibia

4: It’s home to the San people (Kalahari bushmen)

A visit to the Kalahari Desert is not complete without spending some time with the Kalahari bushmen. The San tribes have lived in the region for thousands of years. They now live more modern lives but they still carry some of their ancient traditional knowledge. The local San (Khoisan people) take visitors into the desert bush on guided walks. They wear animal skins, carrying bows and arrows as they journey into the wilds, sharing their collective past. 

Kalahari bushmen (San)

5: The Kalahari is rich in biodiversity 

Despite its harsh terrain, the Kalahari Desert has a vast array of plant and animal species. Wildlife, including black-maned lions, meerkats, antelope, hyenas, and cheetahs, call this semi-arid savanna home. It also has birds, reptiles, and insects alongside plant species of grasses, shrubs, and trees that have adapted to the desert’s harsh conditions. A visit to the Kalahari during the dry season (June - August) will give you more opportunities for game viewing as animals congregate at the waterholes and riverbeds to stay hydrated. 

Central Kalahari Game Reserve lions, Botswana

6. Kalahari has a unique geological history 

The Kalahari Desert is one of the most ancient deserts in the world. Geological evidence suggests that it has been around for at least 60 million years. The Kalahari Basin, which encompasses the Kalahari Desert, was formed by a combination of tectonic activity, volcanic eruptions, and erosion, and is rich in mineral deposits such as diamonds, copper, and uranium.

Kalahari Desert facts

7. It's a popular desert safari destination 

Wildlife safari enthusiasts visit the Kalahari Desert to see its stunning sunsets and starry skies as well as a wide variety of animals in their natural habitat. There are several reserves and national parks in Kalahari, including the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, which straddles the border between South Africa and Botswana; the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana, which is one of the largest game reserves in the world; and the Nxai Pan National Park, which is home to the well-known Baines’ Baobabs and seasonal zebra migrations.  

Kalahari Desert safaris

Whether you’re looking for an escape from the stress of the modern world, a new adventure or just a remote setting to reconnect with someone, a Kalahari Desert safari is the perfect place for your next trip.

We have African travel experts who will be delighted to chat with you about the amazing tours that include the Kalahari Desert and which of them might be best suited for you.

Get in touch today and start planning the wild desert safari of a lifetime!