+44 (0)20 7819 9770
  1. Home
  2. South Africa 
  3. Places of interest 
  4. Kalahari
South Africa Kartiega Settlers Drift Eastern Cape South Africa 2 Logo South Africa
Back to Listing

Kalahari

The very word Kalahari, meaning ‘thirsty land’, summons up visions of a sun baked desert, a stark landscape strewn with scrub and deep red sunsets that set sand dunes ablaze with flames of orange. The Kalahari is this, yet so much more. Spending time amongst the solitude of the wide-open spaces and marvelling at the endless stars in the night sky will energise and inspire any visitor. A vast expanse of dramatic desert land, the Kalahari stretches around 360,000 square kilometres across Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. It composes the largest continuous expanse of sand on earth.

Pockets of fertile green farmland, where good table wine is produced, and boulder-strewn national parks filled with the native acacia trees and the Kalahari lion add to the magnificence of this region. Animals that have learnt to adapt in this harsh environment include meerkats, gemsbok, a large species of antelope, and social weavers, small birds that build large communal nests, and rare species such as the brown hyena have also made their home here. The region is also home to many migratory animals that venture here only when there is adequate water during the wet season, which is between November and April. Many camps within the Kalahari have now started pumping artificial waterholes to attract animals to enhance game viewing opportunities in front of camp, especially in the dry season when natural waterholes are totally depleted.

Laurens Van der Post’s celebrated book, The Lost World of The Kalahari, brings to light the fascinating history of the San Bushmen. These Khoisan-speaking Kalahari tribes people represent the first nation of Southern Africa and have lived here for 2,000 years as indigenous hunter-gatherers. Only a small population of Bushmen still follow a traditional lifestyle within the most remote and impenetrable parts on the desert, but you can learn about their way of life including how to track animals, survive in this harsh environment and collect herbs. 

Features in the following itineraries

South Africa Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 2 South Africa Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 2
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 118 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 118
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 79 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 79
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 15 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 15
South Africa Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 4 South Africa Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 4
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 73 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 73
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 91 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 91
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 50 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 50
South Africa Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 10 South Africa Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 10
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 113 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 113
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 111 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 111
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 2 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 2
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 1 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 1
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 120 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 120
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 119 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 119
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 87 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 87
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 117 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 117
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 115 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 115
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 114 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 114
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 112 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 112
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 90 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 90
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 86 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 86
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 85 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 85
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 81 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 81
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 78 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 78
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 77 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 77
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 76 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 76
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 75 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 75
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 74 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 74
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 72 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 72
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 71 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 71
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 70 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 70
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 69 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 69
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 64 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 64
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 63 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 63
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 62 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 62
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 60 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 60
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 61 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 61
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 59 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 59
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 58 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 58
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 57 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 57
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 56 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 56
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 55 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 55
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 54 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 54
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 53 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 53
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 52 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 52
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 51 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 51
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 49 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 49
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 48 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 48
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 47 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 47
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 45 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 45
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 44 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 44
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 43 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 43
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 42 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 42
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 41 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 41
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 38 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 38
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 37 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 37
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 36 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 36
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 35 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 35
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 34 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 34
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 33 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 33
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 32 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 32
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 31 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 31
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 30 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 30
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 28 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 28
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 27 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 27
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 26 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 26
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 25 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 25
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 24 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 24
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 23 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 23
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 22 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 22
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 21 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 21
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 20 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 20
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 19 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 19
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 18 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 18
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 17 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 17
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 16 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 16
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 14 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 14
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 13 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 13
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 12 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 12
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 11 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 11
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 10 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 10
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 9 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 9
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 8 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 8
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 7 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 7
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 6 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 6
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 5 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 5
Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 4 Tswalu Kalahari South Africa 4
For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move.
Robert Louis Stevenson
Make an Enquiry

Client Testimonials

Everything you did for us whilst we were away was hugely appreciated, and Ampersand has been exemplary in every way. I'll always recommend you!
- Mr Richard Stoughton, Sri Lanka
I would recommend Ampersand without any hesitation!!! The best travel agent that I’ve ever had. Everything – from the individual care and attention in planning the trip, through to the efficiency of the agents on the ground in India – was handled brilliantly. An absolutely first-class service all round!
- Matthew Annable, Rajasthan, India
So many highlights to choose from! The hotels were amazing but Maya Villa was a highlight… I loved just hanging out in the hammock reading my book and watching the peacocks chase the cows!
- Krista Weir, Sri Lanka
Without question, you put together the best trip I have ever taken. We were shown around like visiting dignitaries, the hotels were fantastic and the itinerary was just right. Everybody I know will hear about how amazing Ampersand is!
- Leslie Siben, India
Ampersand provided a bespoke and flexible holiday, tailored to my every whim. Their highly professional staff had only one goal which was to arrange an exceptional holiday and some unforgettable experiences in India. I have no hesitation in fully recommending them and they will be the first company I approach in the future - 10/10
- Anonymous, India
Difficult to articulate just how good the service from you and your team really was. We know you will continue to do well and hope we have the chance to seek your assistance again before long.
- Mr & Mrs Manson, North India
We had a wonderful holiday - everything was perfect. Thank you for helping us to make a thoughtful plan to enjoy and make most out of our trip. The places we visited, the guides, the transportation and driver, the hotels selected... Everything was great!
- Jaime Benitez, South India
Ampersand’s preparation, attention to detail and interaction before and during our trip show exactly why good travel agents have a role in today’s internet booking age. They were a delight to deal with!
- Mr David Wallace, North India
I had a very lovely time and was looked after splendidly. My first visit to India could not have been better, save for being longer! But I shall return at some point and I shall look to you to make the arrangements.
- Matthew Nicklin, North India
I thought the Ampersand team was outstanding. We couldn’t have hoped for anything more.
- Mr Geoffrey Johnson, India

Let us keep you up to date

Sign up to our newsletter and never miss out on unmissable exclusive luxury experiences