The Kalahari sand dunes, some of which stretch west to the Namib Desert, compose the largest continuous expanse of sand on earth. These dunes are covered with a relative abundance of vegetation, including grass tussocks, shrubs, and deciduous trees that have evolved to make use of the area's infrequent precipitation and wild swings in temperature. In summer, the heat can top 45 degrees Celsius degrees Fahrenheit ; on winter nights, lows can drop to degrees Celsius seven degrees Fahrenheit.
In the wetter north and east, open woodlands exist, made up mainly of a type of acacia known as the camelthorn tree. Endemic to the Kalahari, the camelthorn is a crucial part of the desert ecosystem, manufacturing nutrients that encourage other plants to grow around its base and providing shade for animals.
Nambia See more about Kalahari Desert Plants and photos! Other trees that grow in this area include shepherd's tree, blackthorn, and silver cluster-leaf. In the drier southwest, vegetation and wildlife are much more sparse, but Hoodia cactus - used for thousands of years by the San people to ease hunger and thirst during long hunting trips - still maintains a foothold there.
Animals that have adapted to the extremely dry conditions in the Kalahari include meerkats; gemsbok, a large member of the antelope family; social weavers, a type of bird; and the Kalahari lion. The Kalahari's endemic wildlife species have adapted either to survive many days without water, or to obtain water from plants. Many reptiles also live in the Kalahari, including Cape cobras, puff adders, and rock monitors.
Numerous other birds and mammals utilize the desert, but most are migratory, venturing into the Kalahari only when adequate water is present. In addition to the Hoodia cactus, other edible plants - used by both animals and humans - include creeping tsamma melons, gemsbok cucumbers, and wild cucumbers. Kalahari Lion Panthera leo. Melierax canorus, Kalahari Desert, South Africa. Explore the exclusive and wildlife rich reserve in the Kalahari bushveld whilst supporting its preservation with a range of conservation-based activities.
Learn about the intricate ecosystem whilst enjoying sighting of wild dog, cheetah, and rare species such as caracal, pangolin, and brown hyena. As the arid plains are rejuvenated, large herds of herbivores gather to graze on the grasslands, followed by a host of predators, including hyena, cheetah and lion. From the flowers, birds and stunning scenery of the Cape, to wonderful flower-rich Namaqualand, this trip visits an astoundingly beautiful and varied land, rich in wildlife.
All this at a time of year when the flowers and birds here are at their best, and when whales are displaying close inshore. Sign up to get the latest on our holidays, offers and events. We generally send two to three e-newsletters per month. First name. Last name. Travel, experience, conserve with. Key info Ideal for viewing : blue wildebeest , cheetah , eland , ostrich , springbok Where : Southern Africa, Botswana.
Black-maned Kalahari lions are a highlight of the desert; found in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the southwestern corner of the country, they may be resting in the dry river beds or under the shade of the sparse trees. The environment here for the lions is more competitive than more luscious parts of Southern Africa, with less herbivores on offer to predators due to the restricted rainfall, meaning that only the strongest of these huge black maned beasts prevail. 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.
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park itself protects the unique ecosystem of the Kalahari through a joint venture that links Botswana and covers an area that represents double that of Kruger National Park. Tswalu is an elegantly style, barefoot luxury lodge, in the heart of the northern cape province, within the Kalahari Desert.
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