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Discovering the Kalahari Desert in company of a springbok

Last updated on February 14, 2024 by Claire Robinson - this article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I get a small commission (more)

Before embarking of my first ever game drive, I had the opportunity to walk around our ranch in the Kalahari sand dunes with a springbok as my tour guide. The Namib desert is more famous but the Kalahari has a lot of charm.

Discovering Kalahari desert, Namibia with Springbok

Navigate back to the complete Namibia Travel Guide


INFO & PLANNING TIPS - Kalahari Desert

The Kalahari desert is a large semi-arid area coverding part of Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. It is a semi-desert so it supports animals and plants. It has no permanent surface water.

Animals that live in the region include  lions, cheetah, leopards, hyenas, meerkats, giraffes, cwarthogs, jackals, baboons, and antelope​s.

Check out some interesting facts on a website dedicated to the Kalahari Desert​

TIPS FOR TRAVEL PLANNING ADDICTS - Kalahari Desert

Getting to the Kalahari desert

  • In Namibia, the desert is located along the centrat east border
  • Mariental and Gorbabis are 2 of the main towns in the Kalahari desert

Visiting the Kalahari desert

  • The Kalahari desert is a vast region, a drive through via road C20 for example will give you a good overview.
  • Lodges are available both in the Northe and South. Check out this Namibian website

The Dunes of the Kalahari Desert

All of us on the group tour were amazed by the scenery of the Kalahari Desert as we approached it. It is so different from Sossusvlei!

It is because it acutally is a semi-arid area with sandy savannah. ​It is quite flat with long longitudinal sand dunes. The sand is orange/red and some plants to strive in this area.

Longitudinal sand dunes of the Kalahari desert, Namibia

The Ranch & my tour guide

In the Kalahari desert, I stayed at the Bagatelle Game Ranch which is located in the wilderness North of Mariental. It had really nice facilities. I would not have minded staying longer, enjoying the isolation and doing some kind of retreat in connection with nature.

Bagatelle ranch in Kalahari desert, Namibia

After building the tent I went on a walk around the lodge with 3 others and we were the pet springbok deicded to be our tour guide.  It did not leave small group until we reached one of the dunes which allowed us to observe its tracks.

Springbok tour guide in Kalahari desert, Namibia
Springbok tour guide in Kalahari desert, Namibia 2

This was funny until he tried attacking one of us (apparently it does not like men). 


Bird nests

At several occasions around the camp, we had the chance to admire birds making their nests. I must admit it was the very first time I saw that and I was fascinated:

Bird making nest 1
Bird making nest 2

Morning walk in the Kalahari Desert: spotting meerkats

After diner, few others and I decided again to sleep outside our tents, even after seeing scorpions… Luckily nobody got bitten and I had a wonderful night. The place is so peaceful!

And at sunrise several of us woke up early and went for a morning walk in search of Meerkats. 

Morning walk in the Kalahari desert, Namibia

And we saw them: Meerkats!!!! I was jumping and jumping, my smile reaching to my ears… best morning surprise ever! They are so much fun.

Meerkats in the Kalahari desert, Namibia

We also spotted a beautiful antelope but tha's it. But not to worry, our next activity was a game drive during which we spotted a lot of animals.

Antelope in the Kalahari desert, Namibia

Want to see MORE of NAMIBIA?

Discover more things to do with photos and planning information in my online Namibia Travel Guide.

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QUIVER TREE FOREST

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GAME DRIVE IN KALAHARI

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alena says

    May 24, 2019 at 7:48 PM

    Wow! Beautiful wildlife! Really great pictures and useful info! Meerkats also made me smile)))))
    especially when I learned more about them here )))https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX9W2c4wbxg
    African wildlife is amazing! I love your feed!

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I am the Travel Planning Geek behind the ZigZag Travel Guides. My goal is to provide you with clear and practical information to help you plan unforgettable trips! Read more

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