The Kalahari's sand is famous for its deep red-orange colour, which comes from tiny amounts of iron in the grains. The colours change through the day — pink at dawn, deep orange in the afternoon, and a rich red at sunset. Walking on the dunes feels springy underfoot, and the sand is much softer than it looks.
Because it gets some rain, the Kalahari supports a huge variety of plants and animals that true deserts cannot. Camelthorn trees grow along dry riverbeds, their flat tops perfect for nesting birds. Meerkats stand guard on termite mounds, scanning for danger. Springbok, gemsbok, and brown hyenas all call the Kalahari home. After good rains, carpets of tiny flowers turn the sand golden.
The San people (also called Bushmen) have lived in the Kalahari for tens of thousands of years — making them one of the oldest cultures on Earth. They are expert trackers and know how to find water and food in places that look empty to most people. Their knowledge of plants, animals and stars has been passed down through countless generations.
Visitors to the Kalahari can stay in camps where they watch sunrises over the dunes, go on night drives to spot nocturnal animals, and learn to track footprints in the sand. The night sky in the Kalahari is one of the darkest and starriest you will ever see, because there are so few electric lights for hundreds of kilometres.