Kalahari Tour | Kalahari Desert Safaris

A Quick Guide to the Kalahari Desert

Kalahari Desert

A red sandy landscape that stretches out as far as the eye can see, rolling dunes that change form as the wind blows, and an intricate web of life that has adapted to the harsh and unforgiving desert conditions, there is no place like the Kalahari Desert.

Spread out into 3 countries, and 1 of only 3 deserts in Africa, the Kalahari is one of the most spectacular places you could ever want to visit, a destination perfect for a one of a kind holiday. The desert has its own personality and when you go on a Kalahari holiday, your time will be spent exploring the desert sands as well as the fascinating landscapes, many of which have been carved out by the driving winds. A Kalahari holiday is the epitome of a once in a lifetime trip, and the key to making the most of your time here is to perfectly plan your desert vacation, down to the last detail.
The Kalahari Desert has a funny way of working its way into your heart and staying there forever. The desert covers a huge piece of land, spanning into Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, and while it is not a desert in the truest sense of the word (since it receives more than 5 inches of rain each year), it is still, for the most part arid.
And within the arid landscape, all kinds of insects and animals have made a home for themselves, including the famous black mane lion, a sighting that is incredibly rare and lucky.
For the traveller who wants to have a real adventure, the Kalahari Desert is the place to go. And in this quick guide, we’re going to share some helpful information as well as a couple of tour options that you can book.

When is the best time to go to the Kalahari Desert?

When it comes to travelling to the Kalahari Desert, choosing the right time of year to travel is essential. The Kalahari Desert can get overwhelmingly hot during the summer months, and during the winters, the nights in particular can get quite chilly.

The best time of year to travel to the Kalahari Desert is between the months of May and August. The days at this time of the year are cooler, and as such you are more likely to see all sorts of wildlife, roaming freely in the more comfortable weather.

A certain area of the desert does experience some summer rainfall, so if you are travelling in the central Kalahari, which is in Botswana during the months of December to March, you will get to see interesting plants in full bloom as well as all sorts of wildlife as the animals move through the area.

The low season for travelling in the Kalahari runs from November to June, so if you are travelling on a budget, this is a great time to visit.

One of the worst times of year to go to the desert is the month of January, which is unbearably hot.

How to get to the Kalahari Desert

Unlike many of the other attractions in Namibia, the Kalahari is a little more remote and out of reach for the average traveller. That said, it can be easily reached by car, if you are willing to take on the long road, whether it is on your own or as part of a guided group. Most tourists who are travelling to the Kalahari from within Namibia will arrive in Windhoek and then hire a car to travel to the desert or join a guided tour.

If you want to get as close to the desert as possible, without having to drive the whole way, you will need to fly into Upington, a town in South Africa, from Johannesburg. This is the airport closest to the desert, but once you arrive you will still need to drive quite a distance before you reach the desert.

Getting to the desert really is half the fun, because the road to this magnificent place is packed full of things to see and places to explore. When creating tours of the Kalahari, most tour companies, including ours, will feature a couple of attractions, so that you have the opportunity to experience all that this amazing place has to offer.

What type of Traveller will enjoy the Kalahari Desert?

This is one of those places made for the adventurer, but unlike most African destinations, where the safari is the main attraction, a trip to the Kalahari is less about the animals and more about the landscapes and the wide open spaces.

Along with its stunning landscapes, the Kalahari Desert is also home to the Bushmen, making this destination quite perfect for those who are interested in learning more about the history of an area and the ancient tribes who today still call the desert home.

The Top Attractions in the Kalahari Desert

The Kalahari Desert is a vast place, so what you choose to do is going to depend quite a lot on where you find yourself. Here’s an overview of the attractions and things you can do while in this corner of the world.

Go on Safari

In the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, you can see all sorts of wildlife, including lion, cheetah, wildebeest, antelope, and hyenas. Travelling through the park will also treat you to a number of other interesting sightings, as the landscapes here are simply astounding. And along with so much to see, the park is also home to a number of exceptional luxury lodges.

Go to the Augrabies

On the South African side of the desert, you can travel to Augrabies Falls National Park and see the spectacular waterfalls. The best time of year to travel here is just after the summer rains, when the falls are in full flow.

Go to the Kalahari red dunes

You won’t really have to travel anywhere in particular to see these dunes, because they are the main feature of the desert. For the most part, those who are visiting will be spending most of their time simply taking in the sights of the exceptional and unique landscapes. Take the time while you are here to explore the land and really take it all in.

Go out under the stars

If you thought the days were beautiful, just wait until you see the night skies. With no light pollution, the night sky is a heaven of twinkling stars. Make time for a night time walk, or if you are more daring, spending a night sleeping beneath the clear skies.

Go to a cultural village

Although it is a tourist attraction for those who are visiting, for those who are living in such a place, it is simply home. Many Kalahari tours take guests into cultural villages to mingle with the locals and learn all about their older way of life. If you are interested in getting a real look at the lives of the people of the Kalahari, a village trip is a must.

Popular Kalahari Tours

If you are looking to experience the sights, the sounds and the thrills of the Kalahari Desert, here’s a handful of our popular tours that you can book.

4 Day Otjimbondona Kalahari Tour

See the best of the bush and the best of the desert with this exciting tour. This tour starts in the Khomas Region, after guests arrive in Windhoek and get a transfer to the Otjombondona Kalahari Lodge. The rest of the trip is spent exploring the Kalahari and going on game drives.

5 Day Kalahari and Fish River Experience with your own Driver

In the company of someone who knows the dusty roads of the Kalahari Desert, you can travel across this vast and interesting landscape, taking in all of the sights and sounds along the way. This guided tour includes time in the Fish River Canyon area and the Kalahari.

Stargazing in Namibia

An African desert, whether it is the Namib or the Kalahari is the best place to sit under the stars and simply take in the absolute beauty of the sky above you. This tour is designed to give you the most spectacular views, which means you can expect to go to some of the best places that will allow you to fully appreciate the night sky. This tour covers Etosha, Windhoek, Sossusvlei and the Kalahari. The tour takes you directly from Windhoek to the Kalahari Desert, and on day 3 the tour moves on to the Namib Desert and beyond.

7 Day Southern Kalahari and Namib Desert Explorer

This guided tour starts out after guests are transferred from Windhoek and arrive in the Kalahari, where they will spend a couple of days exploring. Guests get to enjoy early mornings watching the sunrise, before taking off into the desert to see what it has to offer. After sometime in the desert, the adventure continues into other beautiful parts of the country. Have you always day dreamed about having a once in a lifetime desert getaway? At ATC Namibia, you can look forward to booking an epic holiday. We have some of the best Namibia tours available at great prices. You can book your tour via our website or by giving us a call today.