Culture: there is a population of Bushmen living in the desert, the Taa language is used by people who live in the Kalahari and is spoken by less than 5, people. Wildlife spotting opportunities: many fauna can be seen here including lions, cheetahs and leopards.
Location and Activities The vegetation in this semi-arid zone is dominant with Acacia trees, thorny shrub and grasses and in this parched ecosystem they can endure droughts of up to ten months with no water supply. One of the most interesting Kalahari Desert facts is that it is not a desert in the strictest sense of the word, as it receives too much rainfall - between 5 and 10 inches annually.
However any rain filters rapidly through the vast expanses of sand, leaving nothing on the surface, turning the Kalahari into the "thirstland". The temperatures in the Kalahari Desert are extreme, with summers being very hot while winter temperatures can go below zero degrees Celsius at night.
In summer, temperatures can reach 45 degrees Celsius degrees Fahrenheit ; on winter nights, lows can drop to minus 15 degrees Celsius seven degrees Fahrenheit. The Kalahari Desert covers approx , square kilometres , sq mi. It is a gently undulating, sand-covered plain, and all of it is metres or more above sea level.
One of the most surprising Kalahari Desert facts is that it is not a desert in the strictest sense of the word. It is a semi-desert. The driest areas receive — mm 4. Traditionally, an area is classified a desert if it receives less than 10 inches millimetres of rain annually. This is true for the southwestern half of the Kalahari.
The northeastern portion, however, receives much more rainfall and, climatically, cannot qualify as a desert; and yet, it is totally lacking in surface water. This is because rain drains instantly through the deep sands here, leaving the substrate completely devoid of moisture.
The wildlife found in the Kalahari Desert has to be able to survive the arid conditions. The wetter north has a richer and greater variety of wildlife than the dryer south. Arid-adapted game includes springbok, gemsbok oryx , wildebeest , kudu , steenbok and duiker.
The Kalahari is home to desert specialties such as meerkat, bat-eared foxes, cape fox and brown hyena. One of the more unexpected Kalahari Desert facts is that all three African big cats can be found here — cheetah , leopard and the famous black-maned Kalahari lions. Birdlife includes the secretary bird , Kori bustard, ostrich and a variety of birds of prey, including the martial eagle, giant eagle owl, falcons, goshawks, kestrels and kites.
The Kalahari lies in the east and south of Namibia. The region is home to ancient red dunes, low bush and camelthorn trees. Namibia is the old home of Bushmen, some of whom still live in the desert. Travellers can visit the local Bushmen and learn about how they are able to survive in this harsh area. The Kalahari Desert is an enormous landscape that offers a sense of isolation from the rest of the world.
This African desert is a magical place to witness endless horizons, ancient landscapes and incredible wildlife. This destination makes for a special getaway, one that is off the beaten track and promises a once-in-a-lifetime vacation experience. Have you been to the Kalahari Desert or have an exciting story to share?
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