25 Facts About the Kalahari Desert: Beyond the Dunes
The Kalahari Desert is one of the largest, most extreme deserts on Earth, spanning across 3 countries in Southern Africa. With its harsh temperatures, diverse wildlife, and unique geology, it is an incredibly captivating place.
It’s also one of my favourite places for a safari. After camping out and driving through the Botswana portion of the Kalahari, I highly recommend exploring it for yourself. It’s incredibly stunning, and the wildlife is epic.
There are so many interesting things to know about this place! I’ve made a list of the most fascinating ones here for you.
For example, at over 930,000 km² in size, or 360,000 miles², the Kalahari is the second largest desert in Africa. It trails only the Sahara Desert in size. It’s also the seventh-largest desert on the planet!
But, it does receive higher rainfall than most other deserts – up to 25 cm, or 10 inches every year. Its desert status remains, though it’s often called a semi-desert, and this water disappears quickly into the sand.
In fact, a part of the Kalahari was named for its aridity. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, the majority of which lies in the Kalahari Desert, gets its name from the Tswana words Kgala.
This means “the great thirst”, and Kgalagadi means “a waterless place”. The word Kgala – “the great thirst” – is also credited by some for the name of the Kalahari Desert itself.
These are just a few of the interesting facts to discover here. Let me introduce you to the fascinating Kalahari Desert!
Fascinating Facts About the Kalahari Desert
The Kalahari is a stunning and unique region. It’s characterized by its expansive red sand savannah landscape and stark, extreme beauty.
Here are a few more things that make this enormous area something special.
1. The temperatures in the Kalahari are extreme – hot and cold.
Highs reach over 45ºC, or 100ºF, even in the shade, and lows often drop below freezing on winter nights. This is the result of the relatively high altitude of the Kalahari Desert, as well as the mostly clear, parched air.
2. Parts of the Kalahari actually have quite a bit of vegetation for a desert.
Because some parts of the Kalahari get more rainfall than your average desert, they support more plant life than you’d expect to see in a desert.
Plants that survive in the Kalahari Desert’s heart grow long roots. They have to reach deep into the sand, where the water seeps after a desert rainfall.
3. The Kalahari is most accurately called a “fossil desert”.
The Kalahari gets almost twice the rain that a desert should to fit the strictest definition of the word desert. A fossil desert is one that fit that strict definition of “desert” in the past but now gets more precipitation.
4. The Kalahari spans multiple countries.
These include Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa.
The Kalahari covers about 70% of Botswana, more than half of Namibia, and a small portion of northern South Africa.
5. This desert is home to an amazing variety of wildlife.
Black-maned lions and leopards roam the Kalahari, as well as cheetahs. You’ll also find jackals, spotted hyenas, and rare brown hyenas, as well as the critically endangered African Wild Dogs.
The wild dogs are one of my own favourite animals, pictured above. Those ears!
You can also see elephants, giraffes, zebra, rhinos, and a large assortment of antelope species. Blue wildebeest are plentiful across the Kalahari Desert, as well as kudus, red hartebeest, springbok, and eland and others.
My group and I spent an entertaining half-hour watching a honey badger dig up scorpions and snack on them. Who knew these furry little tanks could be so much fun to watch?
Some of my other favourites are the pangolins and aardvarks, which so far elude me. And I love the aardwolves and bat-eared foxes. And everybody’s favourites – the meerkats!
6. Despite its harsh, arid climate, the Kalahari is home to the Hoodia, one of the world’s rarest plants.
I’m also fascinated by the plant life in the Kalahari. This succulent, also known as Bushman’s Hat, has been used for centuries by indigenous tribes as a medicinal aid.
The San people found it useful during extended hunting expeditions as it suppresses the appetite. It was also useful at other times when provisions were low.
Hoodia has even been scientifically tested by modern medicine. Plans have long been in the works to market it commercially as an appetite suppressant.
If this ever does come to pass, the original holders of the ancient knowledge, the San people will benefit financially. This is the result of a benefit-sharing agreement with PhytoPharm. This agreement is the first of its kind.
Definitely a step in the right direction!
7. The Kalahari is a popular destination for birders.
There are over 220 bird species living in the Kalahari Desert. These include the large kori bustard, maribou stork, secretary birds, and ostriches.
I never gave much thought to birds until I went to Africa. The number of truly incredible-looking birds just blows my mind.
8. The Okavango River runs into the northern Kalahari.
The river brings water from the Angola Highlands. It provides much-needed moisture and fertile soil for plant and animal life in this arid region. The water drains into the Kalahari Basin – click here to see where the Basin is.
Not many deserts can lay claim to an important water source like this one.
9. The Kalahari is home to several parks and game reserves.
These are protected areas where visitors can see wild animals in their natural habitat. They include:
- the Khutse Game Reserve – about 240 km, or 150 miles, northwest of Gaborone in Botswana. Khutse’s location contains most of the Kalahari’s variety of ecosystems.
- the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana, the second largest animal reserve in the world. It’s home to the ancient San tribe of hunter-gatherers.
- Gemsbok National Park – the Botswana half of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, in southwestern Botswana.
- Kalahari Gemsbok National Park – the South African half of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
- the Kalahari Private Reserve – this expanse of land in northern South Africa was once home to cattle farms. It has since been given back to the wild, and the Big 5 can be spotted here!
10. Taa, one of the world’s rarest languages, originated in the Kalahari region.
It’s still spoken by a small number of indigenous people today. Taa, also known as !Xóõ, is one of the Khoisan family of languages.
Taa is known for having the largest variety of sounds of any language. For example, it had 5 unique types of clicks, several tones, as well as strident vowels, which are made with a quick choking sound.
Taa is spoken by just a few thousand people these days, most in Botswana, and some in Namibia. All are in the Kalahari.
11. The Kalahari is home to one of the world’s largest diamond mines.
It also has the world’s richest diamond mine. Orapa Diamond Mine in eastern Botswana is the world’s largest open-pit diamond mine. Jwaneng Mine, in southern Botswana, is considered to be the world’s richest mine by value.
These mines produce billions of dollars worth of diamonds each year, contributing significantly to the local economy.
Interesting, but that big hole breaks my heart a little bit.
12. The Kalahari has been explored by many famous historical figures.
Many well-known men throughout history have trod through this desert. These include the likes of Scottish explorer William MacKenzie and German geographer Guillermo Farini.
Farini’s real name was actually William Leonard Hunt. He was the first known white man to survive crossing the Kalahari Desert on foot.
He claimed to have found the Lost City of the Kalahari. He even published a book about the finding and his experiences in the Kalahari. He published under the name Guillermo Farini. But his claim has never been substantiated.
13. The Kalahari is spectacularly photogenic
Photographers and filmmakers, professionals and amateurs alike, travel here from all over the world to capture its unique beauty.
The far-reaching landscapes, red-tinged earth, and epic wildlife of the Kalahari desert make for some astounding photographs.
14. The Kalahari is home to some of the most skilled animal trackers.
The San people, collectively called Basarwa in Botswana, are hunter-gatherers and are a part of one of the oldest cultures on earth.
Their knowledge of local wildlife and plant life has been passed down for generations, for centuries. However, their ability to live by it is diminishing rapidly. Many San in Botswana have been removed from their land to make way for diamond mining.
15. Several rare and endangered animals can be found here.
Among these are the African Wild Dogs, one of my favourite animals in the Kalahari Desert. They are also one of the most endangered animals on the planet.
Also called Cape Hunting Dogs and African Painted Wolves, only about 5000 remain, and more than 30% of those are in the Kalahari Desert.
Another rare and endangered animal in the Kalahari is the ground pangolin, the most trafficked. The desert is also home to endangered aardvarks, the Cape vultures, and the African wildcats.
16. Unlike most other dunes, Kalahari dunes don’t wander.
Dunes of the neighbouring Namib Desert, for example, wander and shift with the wind. The dunes of the Kalahari will be the same each time you visit.
The majority of the Kalahari spreads across Botswana, and this region is the largest non-stop stretch of sand on the planet! It’s all that sand that keeps this desert feeling like a desert, despite its higher rainfall.
17. The Kalahari is the second oldest desert in the world.
Scientists estimate that the Kalahari Desert was formed around 60 million years ago. Only the Namib desert is thought to be older.
The Kalahari was formed during the Cretaceous period. This was the time of dinosaurs like the triceratops and the tyrannosaurs. The period ended with the mass extinction of these megacreatures.
18. Many movies have been filmed on location in the Kalahari Desert.
The most well-known are The Gods Must Be Crazy and The Gods Must Be Crazy 2. These movies tell the tale of a Bushman who finds a mysterious vessel from modern civilization in the middle of the desert. The discovery leads to events that go on to disrupt his life.
Others include Sands of the Kalahari, Riding Tornado and Tornado and The Kalahari Horse Whisperer. As well, several documentaries have been made in and about the area, by Disney, National Geographic and others.
One of these is the popular Meerkat Manor. The documentary series followed the activities of a Meerkat called Whiskers. It was filmed in the Kuruman River Reserve, the location of the Kalahari Research Centre in northwestern South Africa.
Who didn’t fall in love with meerkats because of that series?!
19. The small town of Maun, in northwestern Botswana, is the stepping-off point for many Kalahari excursions.
Maun is the fifth largest town in Botswana. It’s where many expeditions into the Kalahari, and the Okavango Delta, begin.
Maun lies on the edge of the Okavango Delta. It’s the place to stock up on supplies, rent or purchase equipment, or have your own repaired.
It is also home to its own airport, with connections to all international carriers. If you find yourself in Maun, be sure to make time for a scenic flight over the area. It’s absolutely stunning – well worth the cost.
20. The Kalahari stack up against Africa’s two other deserts
The Kalahari Desert: a part of a huge sand basin with stable dunes created by the erosion of soft stone formations.
- size: 930,000 km² or 360,000 miles²
- Age: approximately 60 million years old.
- Annual Rainfall: 127 – 254 mm, or 5 – 10 inches.
The Sahara Desert: Africa’s largest desert is ever-changing, increasing and decreasing in size. It’s also home to some 4 million people and a vast array of wildlife. It covers 10 countries in North Africa.
- Size: 9.2 million km² or 3.6 million miles²
- Age: at least 4.6 million years old
- Annual rainfall: approximately 76 mm, or 3 inches.
The Namib: the oldest desert in Africa, with the highest sand dunes in the world. The Namib covers about 16% of Namibia.
- size: 81,000 km² or 31,1274 miles²
- Age: 55 – 80 million years old
- Annual rainfall: an average of 5 mm, or 0.2 inches in the west; 85 mm, or 3.5 inches in the east.
21. The area is home to two main language groups.
The majority of people living in the Kalahari speak one of two languages. One is a Bantu language, like the Batswana, the Herero, and the Kgalagadi. The other is a Khoisan language, such as the San.
Swahili is an example of a Bantu language, whereas Khoisan languages are referred to as the “click” languages. Some of the consonants in Khoisan languages are spoken as a click sound.
The number of people who speak neither of these, mainly Europeans, is a small minority of the population.
22. All of Africa’s iconic Big 5 can be seen in the Kalahari desert.
The Big 5 were so named by trophy hunters. The phrase was used to distinguish the 5 most dangerous and difficult African animals to hunt successfully.
Today they represent a sighting coup by safari-goers. It’s the goal of many to see elephants, rhinos, Cape buffalo, leopards, and lions while on a game drive.
23. The Kalahari has its own sub-species of oryx.
The Kalahari Gemsbok, as this oryx is also called, is an amazing example of a desert-adapted sub-species. It’s able to withstand extreme high temperatures and go days with no water to drink.
The Kalahari gemsbok sub-species excels at being able to extract necessary moisture from food. They eat a lot of such as grasses and desert fruits that contain water.
This animal’s body temperature can exceed 44ºC, or 110ºF. The delicate system of blood vessels in their nasal passages can still air-cool the blood as it passes through them.
24. The entire Kalahari Desert is at least 900 metres, or 3000 feet, above sea level.
The high spots of this desert are mainly sand dunes or kopjes. The Kopjes in the Kalahari are hills of exposed bedrock. They’re rare but obvious protrusions on the nearly even surface of sand.
25. Global warming may have a significant effect on the Kalahari
It’s suggested that the Kalahari Desert may expand to twice its current size over the next century. This will purely be the result of global warming.
Decreased rain and increased wind speeds could cause the area of the Kalahari that is covered by sand to expand. This indication is from a group of scientists based in the UK.
Summing It Up: Facts About the Kalahari Desert
The Kalahari Desert is home to some of the most fascinating landscapes, people, and wildlife in the world. Its unique geography and geology encompass so many interesting facts, I suggest you go and see it for yourself!
Whether you’re a nature lover, photographer, or adventurer. The Kalahari is truly an amazing place that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime!
Happy travels!
Read more about Africa:
➵ Exploring the Winter in Africa: From Desert Dunes to Snowy Peaks
➵ The 10 Best African Countries to Visit 2022
➵ 98 Amazing Things to Know About Southern Africa
➵ African Sayings & Travel Proverbs to Inspire
➵ Find Your Dream Destination in Africa
