The Kalahari Desert

The Kalahari Desert covers much of Botswana and parts of Namibia and South Africa. It is a huge, sandy place with red dunes and dry grass. Even though it is a desert, it gets more rain than most. Many animals and plants live in the Kalahari.

Life in the Sand

Lions, meerkats, giraffes, and gemsboks all make the Kalahari their home. These animals have learned how to live without much water. Some dig deep holes to stay cool. Others get water from the plants they eat.

Red sand and dry grass spread across the Kalahari Desert.
Red sand and dry grass spread across the Kalahari Desert. (Elmar Thiel / Wikimedia Commons)

The San People

The San people have lived in the Kalahari for thousands of years. They are some of the oldest people groups on Earth. They know how to find food and water in the desert. They share stories and dances passed down by their families.

Fun Facts

  • The Kalahari's sand is bright red because of iron in the soil.
  • Meerkats stand on their back legs to watch for danger.
  • The word 'Kalahari' comes from a local word meaning 'great thirst'.

Did You Know?

After heavy rain, parts of the Kalahari turn green and fill with shallow lakes.