Kalahari Resorts: Private Company Information - Bloomberg Bloomberg January 19, 2017 10:30 AM ET Hotels, Restaurants and Leisure People Company Overview Kalahari Resorts owns and operates water park resorts in the United States. Its resorts feature indoor water and theme parks, guestrooms and suites, spas and salons, fitness centers, on-site restaurants, retail shops, golf courses, and conference centers. The company was founded in 2000 and is based in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. It has resort facilities in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin; Sandusky, Ohio; and Fredericksburg, Virginia. Kalahari Resorts, LLC operates as a subsidiary Kalahari Development, LLC.

1305 Kalahari Drive Toxic chlorine levels - Review of Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, Sandusky, OH - TripAdvisor Review of Kalahari Resorts & Conventions 767 photos We can't find prices for this hotel Our online travel partners don't provide prices for this hotel, but we can search other options in Sandusky Check In mm/dd/yyyy Check Out mm/dd/yyyy Hotel | 7000 Kalahari Drive, Sandusky, OH 44870-8628 | Hotel amenities Travelers' Choice® 2016 Winner Family There are newer reviews for this hotel “Toxic chlorine levels” Reviewed February 21, 2013 My family recently stayed at Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, Ohio. Our initial greeting at the front desk was great. Our room was ready 2 hours early which was wonderful. Our room was fine. It appeared clean and the amenities were fine as well. The water park itself is amazing! There is so much to see and partake in. There's no way any child would be bored at this place.

My problem is this: The chlorine levels in the park, and I mean in the AIR as well as the water, must be absolutely toxic! Whether you're in there for 8 hours or 20 minutes, you will taste the chlorine in your mouth and lungs for hours and hours afterwards. Both of my children spent each night coughing up a storm from the chlorine taste in their lungs. As I stepped out onto my balcony I could hear children in every room around me coughing up a storm as well. It explains why there is and endless supply of cough syrups in their Trading Post convenience store. I can't express enough how absolutely toxic we all felt the chlorine levels were! I have since talked to a few "pool experts" who informed me that when you can taste the chlorine for hours and hours afterwards it is a sign that there are problems. The experts also informed me that children that are exposed to such high chlorine content can develop lung cancer or at the very least asthma, as their lungs are not fully developed yet. YIKES!!! The water park had several areas that had to be continually "shocked" with chlorine, mostly the wave pool, which had very cloudy water.

At one point they shocked this area several times within a 1 hour period... not a good sign. The staff at the resort are wonderful! Each and every employee that I interacted with was absolutely pleasant, friendly and helpful. Kudos there. Next, I would highly recommend that you bring your own food supplies. As I realize that "convenience" has a price, the prices within the resort are mind blowing. $6.01 for 2 small poweraids, not to mention the restaurant prices. It's a bank account drainer if you have to rely on the resort to feed yourself and your children for days at a time. My biggest complaint, aside from the toxic chlorine taste in my lungs, which didn't go away until day 2 of being home, is the NOISE!!! Do not expect to get ANY rest whatsoever. I can't stress this enough. After being at the water park for hours on end each day, REST is needed... but you won't get any of that here. The resort clearly states on it's "welcome" flyer that between the hours of 10pm-8am it is "quiet time". There is not a person there, it seems, that actually adheres to this rule.

At ALL HOURS OF THE NIGHT there are children absolutely screaming and running around the hallways. It is incredibly loud at night because of this and you will not find the "down time" that all of us parents need at the end of the night. In every single review of Kalahari Resorts online there is a response by a Kalahari Resort Manager. Not once have they addressed HOW they are working on handling this on-going problem. The incessant night time noise level is an ever present complaint, yet all you see as the reply (by management) is how "sorry" they are... never a reply that tells us HOW they are going to correct the problem. A simple sign placed in each hallway every night between the hours of 10pm-8am that says: SHHHHHH... IT'S QUIET TIME, PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL is my solution. How hard is that? It's not, period. I find it very insulting that a typical "form letter" response is all anyone gets. Shame on you, Kalahari, I thought you were better than that. Room Tip: Do NOT choose a room down the main artery to the water park, there is non-stop foot traffic and chil...

See more room tips Stayed February 2013, traveled with family Value Ask JoAnn M about Kalahari Resorts & Conventions This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Kassie R, Social Media Coordinator at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, responded to this review, February 22, 2013 Thank you for taking the time to review us and express your concerns to the way in which we address guest concerns, which I received in your email last night as well. We do take this very seriously and appreciate your time. While it was clear through your email that you would not want response, it is our expectation as a company and my own expectation personally that we connect back with all of our guests, good or bad, to let them know we did in fact listen to their thoughts. In fact, I do connect with our owner and our management team daily to address specific and reoccurring issues, so that we may find a solution that will work for everyone.

These are typically not items that can be decided and implemented in a single day, and can take some time, but please understand that just because I don’t have the perfect solution at this moment, we as a team at Kalahari are doing our best to go beyond yours and everyone else’s expectations and deliver a product that you expect and deserve. I can’t express enough, that I may not have all the solutions all the time, but when I say I will connect with someone that does, I most certainly do. From there, I leave it in the hands of our very capable management team to implement the best solution we deem appropriate. Then I go back to doing what I do, read, organize and reassure our guests we truly do care. I apologize that you took my effort and attempts to make Kalahari the best it can be as anything other than pure love and appreciation for my job and this company. Letting our amazing guests know that they have been heard was my only intention. I will be the first to apologize if that ever came across as any other intent. Moving forward, I did put you in touch with our Guest Services Manager as I think she will be the best person address your concerns about our chemical levels and noise issues.

As Su mentioned, we do have the signs in all the hallways, and you mentioned on our welcome flyer. Also, we do have 24hr security if any issues may arise. To your point, this didn't seem to help the issue. We as a company need to regroup on what we can do about this. In regards to the pool chemicals, I believe Su noted we do have a computerized monitoring system that would alert us if any irregularities were occurring and we back that up with multiple tests a day. David Gower, our chemical expert will be in touch with you to go over your symptoms and thoughts. He is the best resource for this topic. Again, thank you for your concerns listed here and through your emails. I hope all of us working together can resolve any hesitations you may have about us. Take care. Report response as inappropriate Thank you. We appreciate your input. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC. “Very nice waterpark and room” Reviewed February 19, 2013 Probably the nicest indoor waterpark we have been to. They definitely have the nicest toddler area that we have seen at an indoor waterpark.

There was plenty to do for all ages. The water and air temperatures were good. The bellmen were very prompt and nice. They took our luggage to our car in the parking lot when we needed to check out, but were still going to use the waterpark. Check-in was rather slow, though they were nice. The room was spacious and nice. There is a small refrigerator and microwave. The towels were rather hard. We visited on President's Day weekend at the resort was at capacity. Other than fairly long lines at the rides, things went well. Overall, we were very pleased. Stayed February 2013, traveled with family Value “First time group.” Reviewed February 18, 2013 We had 8 adults and 9 kids, all first time visitors. We stayed Friday thru Sunday. Liked the fact that you could start using the water park at noon on the first day eventhough you couldn't check in until 3 pm. Yes it was busy to check in the staff was very nice and even let us divide the cost of the hotel b/t all families. We all liked the suite and it was spacious. Full size kitchen was great but would love to have a cookie sheet to use.

Not a big deal though. Water park was great and the kids ( ranging in ages 4 to 13) had fun. Yes the lines were long but it was a weekend with a holiday attached to it. Learn to carry a conversation. A couple of irritations from our families were the length of time for the activity of the day. Make it all day long or longer than an hour. The other was the staff at the body surfing..... Be friendly with everyone and give suggestions on what to try. One staffer at the bottom just stood there and didn't say try this or that. And please talk to them about flirting..... They literally stopped the timer to give a couple of cute girls a longer time and were "friendlier" with them. The Reserve restaurant was good and liked that you had a kids buffet. I do think the website should say something about booking a cabana when you make your reservation. That information would be helpful as well as knowing the prices of the cabanas. Overall we had a great time and will visit again. Everyone has to remember this is a family place to go for all types of people and the definition of family and what is acceptable or not is a wide definition.

Stayed February 2013, traveled with friends Value Ask Jen61174 about Kalahari Resorts & Conventions This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Kassie R, Social Media Coordinator at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, responded to this review, February 19, 2013 Thank you for taking the time to review us and so happy that you gave us a try. President's Day weekend is a popular one, so we sincerely appreciate you taking that into consideration. We certainly try out best to stay efficient as possible, I'm glad that this wasn't an inconvenience for you. I have forwarded our thoughts to our Waterpark Managers, Activities Director and our Food and Beverage team. I hope we will see you again soon and you will have an even more amazing time! Thank you so much for all of your thoughts! Take care! Report response as inappropriate Thank you. We appreciate your input. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

minnerColumbus_OH “Crowded, but still fun weekend with the kids!!!” Reviewed February 18, 2013 We recently stayed two nights at Kalahari Waterpark with our two kids aged 8 and 10. We stayed over President's Weekend so were expecting the crowds to be large which they were. Despite that fact, we still had a wonderful time. The staff was very helpful and courteous. The rooms were large and clean. The large, fully loaded arcade was a good option for the kids if they needed a break from the water park. We didn't wait more than a half hour at any of the restaurants. The food was average but that is not why we came. The water park itself was clean and there were many rides for the kids to explore. Yes, the lines were long; so if going over a holiday make sure you stay two nights so you dont feel rushed. The wave pool was fun and it appeared to have a very nice area for young children. The tiki bar was great and the service was fast! My only complaint is there were not enough chairs for how many people they allowed in. In my opinion, resort guests should have some priority over day passers.

Over all, a great winter weekend. We left with happy kids! Room Tip: Stay on floor 6. It is very quiet; away from the action and noise See more room tips Ask minnerColumbus_OH about Kalahari Resorts & Conventions This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Kassie R, Social Media Coordinator at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, responded to this review, February 19, 2013 We very much appreciate hearing your thoughts and can't thank you enough for taking the time to come visit us! President's Day weekend is a popular weekend, but fun! We're excited that you chose to spend it with us! I did pass along your thoughts for review. Again, thank you so much for sharing. We are looking forward to seeing you again soon! Take care! Report response as inappropriate Thank you. We appreciate your input. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC. rebecka g “A great getaway close to home!!” Reviewed February 18, 2013 This resort was more than I expected had a great time using the facility. The rooms were very clean but had cheap furniture.

The water park k has many things to do for children and adults, one if my favorite things was the hot tub. The wave pool was very fun to be in. The lazy river was nice and relaxing and long. The arcade was huge and had many games for all to win but the prizes are lame, the minimum golf was a great time it's glow and the dark but there are only 9 holes. I recommend The Great Karoo's buffet with chocolate fountain very delicious and reasonably priced for all the food you get. The fitness center is kind of small. Great trinket shops and lots of food choices however, wish they had a contenetial breakfast for all. Great relaxing getaway close to home. Loved it! Stayed February 2013 “Not too bad but overcrowded” Reviewed February 15, 2013 We have been to Kalahari several times but I would say that this stay was average. We stayed Thursday and Friday. Thank goodness we came at 3:00 pm on Thursday because we got to enjoy ourselves in the waterpark. Friday was a different story.

It was literally standing room only in the waterpark and we decided to leave early instead of 3:00 pm which is when you are supposed to leave. It was a downright madhouse at noon. The waterpark, arcade, lobby everywhere. We had a one bedroom suite with kitchen. The room was clean and not out of date like many reviewers say on here. Not true at all; this is coming from someone that has worked at hotels for years. I will say though they needed to soundproof the walls better when they built the place. Food at Reserve restaurant was good, we even got some arcade credits with our meal. This time I will say it was average because of the overcrowding. One thing that guests need to realize is that check in time is 3:00 p.m. not noon so don't try to check in and yell at the front desk and have to stand in the lobby until the room is ready. I think this would solve the overcrowding problem. If you want to bend the rules and check early, send in one person not the whole family, 20 suitcases and all your groceries. You should see the poor pitiful bellhops who I am sure will not be getting tipped.

You would think that Kalahari could come up with a simple solution to this overcrowding issue. Maybe a resort expert could come in and advise? Stayed February 2013, traveled with family Value Ask 24Sony about Kalahari Resorts & Conventions This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Kassie R, Social Media Coordinator at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, responded to this review, February 19, 2013 Thank you for taking the time to review our resort! We're glad to hear that you are a repeat guest, but discouraged that this last stay was just average. Thank you for your thoughts and tips to solutions. We sincerely appreciate that and I will be passing that along to our executive team. I hope you will come visit us again and it won't be so busy for you. Very much looking forward to seeing you then! Thank you for your thoughts again and take care! Report response as inappropriate Thank you. We appreciate your input. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park travel guide - Wikitravel History[ edit ] Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park The Kgalagadi tribes-people with the local Khoe-inhabitants of the desert were the first humans to inhabit this desolate desert habitat. Although they were nomadic, the name stayed. The name Kalahari was derived from the Kgalagadi word Makgadikgadi, meaning great thirstland or saltpans. The first Afrikaans/Dutch speaking settlers in the area came to trade with the people living in the Kalahari. The Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa was established in 1931 and the Gemsbok National Park in Botswana was established in 1938. These parks shared a common border. Since 1948 there has been informal cooperation agreements between conservation agencies in Botswana and South Africa to ensure the wellbeing of animals in both parks and to control development in the area.

The two parks were officially combined in 1999 and on 12 May 2000 the new Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park was formally opened by South Africa 's President Thabo Mbeki and Botswana 's President Festus Mogae and was the first Transfrontier park in Africa . Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park Communities Some of the original inhbitants of this wilderness area still live around and within the Park. Mier Community The Mier (the Afrikaans word for ant) community of the Kalahari mainly originated more than 150 years ago settled across an large area that reached up to the Orange River and into the German West Africa (later South West Africa and presently Namibia ) and Bechuanaland (presently Botswana ). They mainly farmed with sheep, goats and cattle in the hardveld south of the Kalahari dunes. Khomani Community The Khoe-speaking community of Southern Africa is not one tribe but a collective of different peoples with different languages and cultural practices. They are united by their experience of being hunters and gatherers in the Kalahari Desert.

Today there are about 100 000 Khoe speaking people in these parts. They live in small, scattered pockets in the urban and rural areas of Angola , Botswana , Zambia , Namibia , South Africa and Zimbabwe . In March 1999, they had a portion of their territory restored by the government of South Africa. This land included a large area in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park forming the Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park. Landscape[ edit ] The total land area of the park is in the order of 38 000 square km, with 28 400 square km of the park located in Botswana and the rest in South Africa . The Kalahari is a semi-arid wilderness with bright red sand dunes and covers most of Botswana and reaches into Namibia , South Africa and other African countries as well. The landscape typically consists of saltpans, open plains to flat bushveld which becomes more dense towards the south. It is a huge area of unspoilt desert and bushveld with small vegetation-covered red dunes, grasslands, scrub bush and woodlands.

The Kgalagadi's pans and rivers are bordered by high dunes. The pans fill up with water during the rainy season and contain nutrient-rich soils, and salts. The name Kgalagadi means the great thirst in Tswana. Flora and fauna[ edit ] Ground Squirrel Social Weaver Nest The Kgalagadi is best known for unique desert-adapted mammals, birds, reptiles and rodents, especially the black maned Kalahari lions and gemsbok. Other animals include the endangered wild dog, leopard, giraffe, blue wildebeest, brown hyena, eland, aardvark, bat-eared foxes, pangolin and meerkat. Kgalagadi is a fascinating stop for birdwatchers and apart from migrating flamingos and pelicans, this is an excellent area for raptors, with over 50 recorded species. Bateleur, Pygmy falcons, Sociable weavers and Vultures (White-backed and Lappet-faced) are common. Flora included the water-holding tsamma, a melon like creeper and the distinctive massive camel-thorn trees which can be found in any of the river beds.

See also African flora and fauna for more information on these or any other wildlife you may encounter during your visit. Climate[ edit ] In summer (October to April), the temperature in the Kgalagadi climbs up to 40 degrees Celsius and sometimes higher. The annual rainfall is rarely more than 100 mm, and some years it even stays below 50 mm. Typically this is the time of the iconic Kalahari thunderstorms. In winter (June to August), the temperatures lie around 25 degrees Celsius. This results in the air ibeing dry and very clear days can be expected. The nights are extremely cold. Winter is also the best time for animal viewing. Because of the drought, the game is forced to come to the waterholes in the riverbeds. Orientation[ edit ] There are large sections of the park totally isolated and not reachable without 4x4. The South African side of the park is wedged in between the two main (mostly dry) rivers the Nossob (meaning dark clay) and the Auob (meaning bitter water) which have their sources in the Anas Mountains near Windhoek , Namibia .

Mata-Mata is 2,5 hrs drive from Twee Rivieren. Nossob is 3,5 hrs drive from Twee Rivieren. Both these routes follow the riverbeds. Get in[ edit ] Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park You may enter the park from either country and even use the park as a transit between Botswana and South Africa , provided that your documentation (passport, visa etc) is in order. The Twee Rivieren ( South African side) and Two Rivers ( Botswana side) gates act as border posts. Hired cars may be collected at Twee Rivieren provided that an advance booking is made with a car hiring company. From Botswana [ edit ] Drive from Gaborone for about 550km until Tsabong . From there travel for about 310km on gravel road. This road is negotiable by 4 x 2 vehicles during the dry season and 4 x 4 vehicles during the wet season. The alternative route is to travel from Gaborone to Hukuntsi on tarred road for 565km followed by approximately 110km of sand road which is negotiable by 4 x 4 vehicles only.

From South Africa [ edit ] The park is situated approximately 250 km from Upington in the far northern Cape and 904 km from Johannesburg . Visitors driving from Gauteng or Mpumalanga have a choice of two routes, either via Upington on a newly tarred road or via Kuruman , Hotazel and Vanzylrus (+/- 340 km gravel). By plane[ edit ] Easiest way to get to the Kgalagadi is to fly to Upington [3] and then hire a car and drive yourself to the park. Car rental available on Upington Airport include Avis [4] , Budget [5] , Tempest [6] , Hertz [7] and Imperial [8] . Three flights daily from both Cape Town and Johannesburg on SAA [9] . Light aircraft may land on a tarred runway at Twee Rivieren. Prior permission must be obtained from the Park. Fees/Permits[ edit ] South African Citizens and Residents (with ID) will have to fork out R40 per person, per day.

SADC Nationals (with passport) pay R80 per person, per day (children R40)and then the Standard Conservation Fee for Foreign Visitors: R160 per adult / R80 per child, per day. Alternatively a Wildcard can be bought, both for SADC Nationals and International visitors. Depending on the duration of the stay that can be cheaper. More info and the current rates can be found at this site , the card itself can be bought at the gate. Do[ edit ][ add listing ] Self drive game viewing. edit 4 x 4 Routes, ☎ +27 (0)54 561-2000 (fax: +27 (0)54 561-2005). R500, priced per vehicle with 5 occupants (Additional day conservation levy of R30.00 per person. Bookings is made at Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park). edit Game drives, Twee Rivieren and Nossob camps. sunset and night. Maximum of 20 people per gamedrive. Adults - R110.00 and Children - R55.00.

edit Holiday programs, Twee Rivieren camp. Slide shows and lectures edit Day walks, All three major camps. edit Game watching. Let the wildlife come to you and spend a day next to the more than 120 waterholes in the dry riverbeds edit Locate a mob of meerkats and follow their frenetic foraging and vigil antics in the dunes Have brunch at one of the many picnic spots and get indimidated by the complete silence of the Kalahari Say hello to the visitors in the chalet/ rondawel next to you and share stories of your day's sightings over a fire and some 'skaap tjops' (lamb cutlets). Buy[ edit ][ add listing ] No real shopping in this remote desert area but look out for little San/ Bushman children selling seed-jewelery near the Twee Rivieren Gate. The three shops at the main camps Twee Rivieren, Mata Mata and Nossob offer some curios like ostrich eggs, some coffee table books and field guides, but they are mostly overpriced. Use the shops to buy your daily food like bread, meat, milk, eggs and anyhting else you might need in the middle of nowhere.

Kalahari Safaris, ☎ +27(0)824350007, [11] . Specializes in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (3 -10days) and Augrabies falls national park safaris. Contact us for more details. pieter@kalaharisafaris.co.za edit Kgalagadi Travel & Tours, ☎ +27(0)824350007, [12] . Kgalagadi Travel & Tours specializes in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park tours. We do small group and private tours. Contact us for more details: info@kalaharisafaritours.co.za edit Eat[ edit ][ add listing ] The Kgalagadi offer no real unique food but do try the main camp shops for some ostrich steak or springbok biltong. A must try for your Braai (BBQ) at night is the delicious Karoo lamb cutlets which is a South African classic. If you feel at a loss, just ask around at night in any of the camps.

Every local South African sitting around their campfire with a beer will be more than willing to give you a taste of their pap and boerewors (Maize porridge and Sausage). Drink[ edit ][ add listing ] Make sure you drink loads of water and keep emergency water in your vehicle. This desert is extremely harsh. Tap Water is safe to drink, but is often very salty and not good for making coffee or tea. Bottles of still water can be bought at any shop. Okavango Delta & Kalahari Desert Africa Safari | Travel with REI Choose your date Overview Our journey is one of contrasts: vast savannahs of the Central Kalahari give way to Okavango Delta’s iconic, wildlife-rich waterways and islands. Those seeking to discover the full range of Botswana’s flora and fauna will not be disappointed. Explore beautiful Deception Valley and camp under a brilliant canopy of stars miles away from anyone else. During the heat of the summer also come the rains—transforming the barren desert into a green grassland and drawing in a variety of wildlife. Excursion in search of the Kalahari's famed black-maned lions, cheetah, brown hyena and more.

From the Kalahari, we fly to our island camp above the Okavango Delta. Take in vivid color in this luscious oasis and explore the backwaters via heart-pumping game drives, mokoro excursions and motorboat trips. Then explore the incredible Linyanti Wildlife Reserve for intimate wildlife encounters. Our accommodations mix traditional safari chic with a comfortable, rustic twist. The adventure culminates at the Victoria Falls, taking a sunset cruise amidst new friends on the mighty Zambezi. Trip highlights Adventure Expert Jeff Witnessing an entire biome awaken, as does the Kalahari Basin in the summer rains, is an awe inspiring revelation which reenergizes me. With a bit of grit, we tread beyond the traditional to find the exceptional. Itinerary Expand all days | View map Day 1: Fly to our first camp in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Your trip begins today in Maun, Botswana. We'll rendezvous at the Maun airport at midday for the one hour flight to the Central Kalahari airstrip and our first safari camp, the remote Kalahari Plains Camp.

Beautifully situated in the northern plains of the 12 million acre Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR), this 100% solar-powered camp is comprised of individual canvas-walled room units with proper beds, en-suite bathrooms, and private rooftop decks with mattresses to allow those interested to sleep out under the brilliant Kalahari stars. After checking in, we'll have some time to freshen up before gathering in the lounge for afternoon tea and setting out on our first game drive, stopping for a sundowner to toast our first African sunset. Our guide will host a welcome gathering and orientation briefing at the Kalahari Plains Camp tonight after which dinner will be served. Dinner included. Day 2: Learn about Southern Africa's Bushmen and drive to Deception Valley. This morning, we have an opportunity to learn more about Southern Africa's indigenous people, the Bushmen, who have made the Kalahari their home for tens of thousands of years. Members of the Bushmen community will lead us on a walk near camp and provide insight into their traditional lifestyle and the hunting and gathering techniques that allowed them to survive in this arid desert environment.

We'll return to camp for an early lunch and load our open Land Rover for the scenic 3-hour drive through the Kalahari grasslands to Deception Valley. The drive through this unique landscape is our first foray into the African bush and our guide will help us spot the multitude of creatures – small and large, earthbound and flying – that have adapted to this desert ecosystem. Our comfortable wilderness camp in Deception Valley is already set up in preparation for our arrival. Our roomy 9'x9' stand-up tents include separate twin mattresses on cots with full cotton bedding and attached open-roofed bathrooms with hot bucket showers and eco-toilets. The evening will be spent around the open campfire exchanging stories with our guide, enjoying a delicious dinner prepared by the camp chef, and listening to the night sounds of wild Africa – truly a feast for the senses. All meals included. Days 3-4: Explore Deception Valley in search of wildlife like lion and cheetah. Our focus for the next two days will be on epic full-day game drives as our trips are timed to coincide with the Kalahari summer, the peak season for wildlife in the desert when water from intermittent rainfall supports a large variety of animal and bird species.

The various pans – shallow depressions filled with minerals – attract many animals drawn to their salt content and we'll concentrate on areas such as Pipers Pan and Deception Pan during our drives. The full-day explorations also allow us to range further from camp and truly immerse ourselves in this awe-inspiring wilderness. We'll awaken early each morning to a hot cup of coffee or tea and a light breakfast before jumping in our vehicle and heading out into the bush. Our guide uses tracking skills honed from years of experience to help us find as many of the desert-dwelling species as possible. Our Kalahari species checklist includes big predators and smaller carnivores such as lion, cheetah, hyena, caracal, bat-eared fox, honey badger, slender mongoose and the elusive aardwolf; grazing herds of springbok, gemsbok, red hartebeest, wildebeest and eland; and other ruminants including giraffe, kudu and steenbok.

The birdlife here is also fantastic and includes ostrich, Crimson-breasted Shrike, Violet-eared Waxbill, Burchell's Sandgrouse, White-faced Scops Owl, Secretarybird and the endangered Kori Bustard and Lappet-faced Vulture. Tasty picnic lunches are packed each day and we'll find some cooling shade to relax under during our midday meal. We return to camp before sunset for a hot shower followed by a refreshing sundowner and hearty dinner. Those interested in astronomy will be treated to one of the most expansive displays of stars on earth and our guide will help us identify various planets, constellations and other celestial objects before we zip into our cozy tents for the night. All meals included. Days 5-6: Enjoy mokoro rides, game drives, and birding in the Okavango Delta. We bid farewell to Deception Valley this morning and depart camp for the return drive to the Kalahari Plains airstrip (approx. 2½ hours). Our waiting light aircraft will lift us over the desert landscape providing a bird's-eye view of the CKGR and its flat grasslands, undulating dunes, salt pans and ancient river valleys.

From above, it's nearly impossible to imagine how this arid habitat can support such an abundance and diversity of living creatures. After a brief stop in Maun to refuel, we'll take to the air again and head northwest towards the shimmering Okavango Delta. The change in landscape from a few hours earlier could not be more dramatic. While still located within the greater Kalahari Basin, the annual rainfall and floodwaters that seep into the Okavango from the north transform this region into a water-world dotted with palm-filled islands, tranquil papyrus-lined channels and expansive floodplains. Xigera (pronounced Keejera), our camp for the next two nights, is a luxury tented camp situated on a remote island in the Moremi Game Reserve, in the heart of the Delta. Nestled in a magnificent riverine forest, Xigera consists of a small number of deluxe tented rooms with en-suite bathrooms and private outdoor showers. Each room is raised off the ground on a wooden deck offering superb views of the seasonal floodplain. Wooden walkways wind through the forest connecting the rooms to the main dining and lounge area.

A wooden footbridge connects Xigera Island to its unpopulated neighbor and is often used by lion and leopard moving between the islands allowing guests great viewing opportunities. As water surrounds Xigera all year long, the camp provides the perfect opportunity to participate in a variety of marine activities. Enjoy a true Delta experience while sitting back in a mokoro (dugout canoe) steered by a seasoned local guide and silently glide through the tranquil Okavango waterways, or watch the sunset and birds gliding home to roost from a motorboat on the Xigera Lagoon. When water levels permit (generally during the months our trips operate), morning or evening game drives allow us to observe wildlife and the unique Delta scenery from the comfort of an open Land Rover. This area has the highest density of the rare Sitatunga antelope found anywhere in the Okavango Delta and lion, leopard, hyena, giraffe, vervet monkey and buffalo also inhabit these islands and will commonly swim from island to island in search of food.

Birding is excellent, with Pel's Fishing Owl, Slaty Egret, Wattled Crane, African Skimmers and a host of eagles, vultures, raptors and kingfishers to be found. Each night, we'll settle into our beds and drift off to the sounds of Bell Frogs calling; an Okavango lullaby. All meals included. Days 7-9: Search for leopard, wild dog, and more at Linyanti Wildlife Reserve. After breakfast on Day 7, we depart lovely Xigera leaving this serene waterscape behind but looking forward to the excitement that awaits at our next stop, the 300,000-acre Linyanti Wildlife Reserve on the western border of Chobe National Park. The diverse habitat of the Linyanti includes open floodplains, dry savannah, riverbank and scrubland creating a paradise for a high diversity of mammal and bird species. Access to the Linyanti is private and, with only a small number of camps located in the vicinity and with the ability to drive off-road, our wildlife encounters are intimate and often very close-up.

Our vehicle will be parked and waiting at the airstrip upon our arrival and we'll be on our way immediately after our plane touches down. Our two-hour transfer to camp will double as a game drive as we watch and listen carefully for signs of approaching wildlife. Our camp, built under a stand of African ebony and knobthorn trees with an outdoor dining and lounge deck, is exclusively ours for the next three days and nights. We'll sleep in large Meru-style tents rooms with full bedding and private bathrooms, evoking the romantic feel of a classic African safari. Our daily activities in the Linyanti will include both day and night game drives as well as short walks led by our guides allowing us to learn more about animal tracking and view the landscape from a new and unique perspective. We get an early start each day to ensure we're out and about just after sunrise when wildlife activity is at its peak. We take our time, our guide using his tracking skills to help us spot as many different species as possible and taking "requests from the audience" if there is a desire to search for any species in particular. We return to camp for lunch and an early afternoon siesta before gathering again in mid-afternoon for another wilderness exploration.

In addition to lion, leopard and spotted hyena, we'll be on the lookout for African wild dog, a strikingly-patterned canine that is highly endangered with only 3,000-5,500 dogs left on the continent. Witnessing these social animals hunt for prey as a pack is an experience never forgotten. While the population of predators is high, the Linyanti is also known for elephants as well as zebra, Cape buffalo, baboon, red lechwe, impala, warthog, hippo and giraffe and plays host to a large variety of bird species including the Bradfield's Hornbill, Racket-tailed Roller, Bennett's Woodpecker, Southern Carmine Bee-eater and Arnott's Chat. Raptors found here include a number of eagle species as well as Verreaux's Eagle-Owl, African Scops Owl and Dickenson's Kestrel. As an added bonus, opportunities to spot migratory birds are outstanding during the Botswana summer months as many migrants are passing through the region during this time of year. All meals included. Day 10: Spot elephant, giraffe, crocodile, and hippo on a Chobe River Cruise.

Although our journey is drawing to an end, our final 24 hours promises a fantastic finish. We return to the Linyanti airstrip this morning for the one hour hop to Kasane in the northern region of Chobe National Park. From Kasane, we'll embark on a boat cruise along the Chobe River in search of the elephant, hippo, crocodile, buffalo, giraffe and antelope commonly seen bathing and grazing along the river. The deck of our small boat offers the perfect vantage point from which to observe and photograph all of the surrounding activity. After lunch on board, we return to shore and begin our drive towards the international border at Kazungula, crossing into Zambia and making our way directly to our lodging at Toka Leya Camp. Overlooking the mighty Zambezi River approximately six miles upstream from Victoria Falls, Toka Leya is perfectly situated for exploring both the river ecosystem as well as the nearby World Heritage Site containing the Falls themselves. We'll gather together this evening for a sundowner and final celebration dinner with our guide and newfound friends, recounting the many highlights of our incredible adventure. All meals included. Day 11: See spectacular Victoria Falls before saying goodbye to new friends.

As a grand finale, our trip concludes with a walking tour of Victoria Falls, a thundering sheet of cascading water stretching over a mile wide and considered to be one of the natural wonders of the world. We'll view the Falls from the Zambian side and have time to appreciate its majesty before transferring to the Livingstone airport for flights back to Johannesburg or other destinations in southern Africa. Breakfast included. Note on Itinerary Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control. What's included Adventure Expert Jeff Witnessing an entire biome awaken, as does the Kalahari Basin in the summer rains, is an awe inspiring revelation which reenergizes me. With a bit of grit, we tread beyond the traditional to find the exceptional. Itinerary Print Itinerary Expand all days Day 1: Fly to our first camp in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Your trip begins today in Maun, Botswana. We'll rendezvous at the Maun airport at midday for the one hour flight to the Central Kalahari airstrip and our first safari camp, the remote Kalahari Plains Camp.

Beautifully situated in the northern plains of the 12 million acre Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR), this 100% solar-powered camp is comprised of individual canvas-walled room units with proper beds, en-suite bathrooms, and private rooftop decks with mattresses to allow those interested to sleep out under the brilliant Kalahari stars. After checking in, we'll have some time to freshen up before gathering in the lounge for afternoon tea and setting out on our first game drive, stopping for a sundowner to toast our first African sunset. Our guide will host a welcome gathering and orientation briefing at the Kalahari Plains Camp tonight after which dinner will be served. Dinner included. Day 2: Learn about Southern Africa's Bushmen and drive to Deception Valley. This morning, we have an opportunity to learn more about Southern Africa's indigenous people, the Bushmen, who have made the Kalahari their home for tens of thousands of years. Members of the Bushmen community will lead us on a walk near camp and provide insight into their traditional lifestyle and the hunting and gathering techniques that allowed them to survive in this arid desert environment.

We'll return to camp for an early lunch and load our open Land Rover for the scenic 3-hour drive through the Kalahari grasslands to Deception Valley. The drive through this unique landscape is our first foray into the African bush and our guide will help us spot the multitude of creatures – small and large, earthbound and flying – that have adapted to this desert ecosystem. Our comfortable wilderness camp in Deception Valley is already set up in preparation for our arrival. Our roomy 9'x9' stand-up tents include separate twin mattresses on cots with full cotton bedding and attached open-roofed bathrooms with hot bucket showers and eco-toilets. The evening will be spent around the open campfire exchanging stories with our guide, enjoying a delicious dinner prepared by the camp chef, and listening to the night sounds of wild Africa – truly a feast for the senses. All meals included. Days 3-4: Explore Deception Valley in search of wildlife like lion and cheetah. Our focus for the next two days will be on epic full-day game drives as our trips are timed to coincide with the Kalahari summer, the peak season for wildlife in the desert when water from intermittent rainfall supports a large variety of animal and bird species.

The various pans – shallow depressions filled with minerals – attract many animals drawn to their salt content and we'll concentrate on areas such as Pipers Pan and Deception Pan during our drives. The full-day explorations also allow us to range further from camp and truly immerse ourselves in this awe-inspiring wilderness. We'll awaken early each morning to a hot cup of coffee or tea and a light breakfast before jumping in our vehicle and heading out into the bush. Our guide uses tracking skills honed from years of experience to help us find as many of the desert-dwelling species as possible. Our Kalahari species checklist includes big predators and smaller carnivores such as lion, cheetah, hyena, caracal, bat-eared fox, honey badger, slender mongoose and the elusive aardwolf; grazing herds of springbok, gemsbok, red hartebeest, wildebeest and eland; and other ruminants including giraffe, kudu and steenbok.

The birdlife here is also fantastic and includes ostrich, Crimson-breasted Shrike, Violet-eared Waxbill, Burchell's Sandgrouse, White-faced Scops Owl, Secretarybird and the endangered Kori Bustard and Lappet-faced Vulture. Tasty picnic lunches are packed each day and we'll find some cooling shade to relax under during our midday meal. We return to camp before sunset for a hot shower followed by a refreshing sundowner and hearty dinner. Those interested in astronomy will be treated to one of the most expansive displays of stars on earth and our guide will help us identify various planets, constellations and other celestial objects before we zip into our cozy tents for the night. All meals included. Days 5-6: Enjoy mokoro rides, game drives, and birding in the Okavango Delta. We bid farewell to Deception Valley this morning and depart camp for the return drive to the Kalahari Plains airstrip (approx. 2½ hours). Our waiting light aircraft will lift us over the desert landscape providing a bird's-eye view of the CKGR and its flat grasslands, undulating dunes, salt pans and ancient river valleys.

From above, it's nearly impossible to imagine how this arid habitat can support such an abundance and diversity of living creatures. After a brief stop in Maun to refuel, we'll take to the air again and head northwest towards the shimmering Okavango Delta. The change in landscape from a few hours earlier could not be more dramatic. While still located within the greater Kalahari Basin, the annual rainfall and floodwaters that seep into the Okavango from the north transform this region into a water-world dotted with palm-filled islands, tranquil papyrus-lined channels and expansive floodplains. Xigera (pronounced Keejera), our camp for the next two nights, is a luxury tented camp situated on a remote island in the Moremi Game Reserve, in the heart of the Delta. Nestled in a magnificent riverine forest, Xigera consists of a small number of deluxe tented rooms with en-suite bathrooms and private outdoor showers. Each room is raised off the ground on a wooden deck offering superb views of the seasonal floodplain. Wooden walkways wind through the forest connecting the rooms to the main dining and lounge area.

A wooden footbridge connects Xigera Island to its unpopulated neighbor and is often used by lion and leopard moving between the islands allowing guests great viewing opportunities. As water surrounds Xigera all year long, the camp provides the perfect opportunity to participate in a variety of marine activities. Enjoy a true Delta experience while sitting back in a mokoro (dugout canoe) steered by a seasoned local guide and silently glide through the tranquil Okavango waterways, or watch the sunset and birds gliding home to roost from a motorboat on the Xigera Lagoon. When water levels permit (generally during the months our trips operate), morning or evening game drives allow us to observe wildlife and the unique Delta scenery from the comfort of an open Land Rover. This area has the highest density of the rare Sitatunga antelope found anywhere in the Okavango Delta and lion, leopard, hyena, giraffe, vervet monkey and buffalo also inhabit these islands and will commonly swim from island to island in search of food.

Birding is excellent, with Pel's Fishing Owl, Slaty Egret, Wattled Crane, African Skimmers and a host of eagles, vultures, raptors and kingfishers to be found. Each night, we'll settle into our beds and drift off to the sounds of Bell Frogs calling; an Okavango lullaby. All meals included. Days 7-9: Search for leopard, wild dog, and more at Linyanti Wildlife Reserve. After breakfast on Day 7, we depart lovely Xigera leaving this serene waterscape behind but looking forward to the excitement that awaits at our next stop, the 300,000-acre Linyanti Wildlife Reserve on the western border of Chobe National Park. The diverse habitat of the Linyanti includes open floodplains, dry savannah, riverbank and scrubland creating a paradise for a high diversity of mammal and bird species. Access to the Linyanti is private and, with only a small number of camps located in the vicinity and with the ability to drive off-road, our wildlife encounters are intimate and often very close-up.

Our vehicle will be parked and waiting at the airstrip upon our arrival and we'll be on our way immediately after our plane touches down. Our two-hour transfer to camp will double as a game drive as we watch and listen carefully for signs of approaching wildlife. Our camp, built under a stand of African ebony and knobthorn trees with an outdoor dining and lounge deck, is exclusively ours for the next three days and nights. We'll sleep in large Meru-style tents rooms with full bedding and private bathrooms, evoking the romantic feel of a classic African safari. Our daily activities in the Linyanti will include both day and night game drives as well as short walks led by our guides allowing us to learn more about animal tracking and view the landscape from a new and unique perspective. We get an early start each day to ensure we're out and about just after sunrise when wildlife activity is at its peak. We take our time, our guide using his tracking skills to help us spot as many different species as possible and taking "requests from the audience" if there is a desire to search for any species in particular. We return to camp for lunch and an early afternoon siesta before gathering again in mid-afternoon for another wilderness exploration.

In addition to lion, leopard and spotted hyena, we'll be on the lookout for African wild dog, a strikingly-patterned canine that is highly endangered with only 3,000-5,500 dogs left on the continent. Witnessing these social animals hunt for prey as a pack is an experience never forgotten. While the population of predators is high, the Linyanti is also known for elephants as well as zebra, Cape buffalo, baboon, red lechwe, impala, warthog, hippo and giraffe and plays host to a large variety of bird species including the Bradfield's Hornbill, Racket-tailed Roller, Bennett's Woodpecker, Southern Carmine Bee-eater and Arnott's Chat. Raptors found here include a number of eagle species as well as Verreaux's Eagle-Owl, African Scops Owl and Dickenson's Kestrel. As an added bonus, opportunities to spot migratory birds are outstanding during the Botswana summer months as many migrants are passing through the region during this time of year. All meals included. Day 10: Spot elephant, giraffe, crocodile, and hippo on a Chobe River Cruise.

Although our journey is drawing to an end, our final 24 hours promises a fantastic finish. We return to the Linyanti airstrip this morning for the one hour hop to Kasane in the northern region of Chobe National Park. From Kasane, we'll embark on a boat cruise along the Chobe River in search of the elephant, hippo, crocodile, buffalo, giraffe and antelope commonly seen bathing and grazing along the river. The deck of our small boat offers the perfect vantage point from which to observe and photograph all of the surrounding activity. After lunch on board, we return to shore and begin our drive towards the international border at Kazungula, crossing into Zambia and making our way directly to our lodging at Toka Leya Camp. Overlooking the mighty Zambezi River approximately six miles upstream from Victoria Falls, Toka Leya is perfectly situated for exploring both the river ecosystem as well as the nearby World Heritage Site containing the Falls themselves. We'll gather together this evening for a sundowner and final celebration dinner with our guide and newfound friends, recounting the many highlights of our incredible adventure. All meals included. Day 11: See spectacular Victoria Falls before saying goodbye to new friends.

As a grand finale, our trip concludes with a walking tour of Victoria Falls, a thundering sheet of cascading water stretching over a mile wide and considered to be one of the natural wonders of the world. We'll view the Falls from the Zambian side and have time to appreciate its majesty before transferring to the Livingstone airport for flights back to Johannesburg or other destinations in southern Africa. Breakfast included. Note on Itinerary Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control. What's included Call 1-800-622-2236 to reserve this trip on the phone Monday-Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM Pacific Time Price Includes All accommodations as specified on the itinerary; all meals beginning with dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 11; professional guide accompaniment throughout; all daily activities (game drives, mokoro/boat excursions, bush walks); guided tour of Victoria Falls; Chobe River boat cruise; transfer from Toka Leya to Livingstone Airport at trip's end; all soft drinks, beer, fruit juice, mineral water and house wine.

Not Included Round-trip international airfare to Maun/from Livingstone; all light aircraft flights noted in itinerary (airfare cost shown above); international entry/departure taxes; travel insurance; excess baggage charges; alcoholic beverages other than those specified under "Price Includes"; pre- and post-trip tours; items of a personal nature; gratuities. Consider as you sign up Airline tickets - Please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to ensure your trip is confirmed with the minimum number of participants required to operate. Travel insurance - To protect your travel investment, we highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance. Please contact us or see details . REI membership - Get a member discount on most REI Adventures trips plus other valuable benefits . REI MasterCard® - Earn 5 % back on REI Adventures trips and all REI net purchases. Learn more. Additional Information Special Payment, Cancellation, and Transfer Policy The $400 per person deposit is non-refundable and non-transferrable at time of sign up. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. At 60-31 days prior to departure, 50% of the land cost is non-refundable and non-transferrable.

At 30 days or less prior to departure all costs are non-refundable and non-transferrable. Single Accommodations There is no single supplement fee for those willing to share accommodations with a same-gender roommate. If you are willing to share but we are unable to pair you with a same-gender roommate, you will not be charged the single supplement fee. If you do not wish to share and request single accommodations, you will be required to pay the single supplement fee. Please be advised that there are a limited number of single accommodations available. For more details about traveling solo, see our Solo Travelers page. Single supplement 2017 - $999 Medical & Evacuation Insurance All participants on this trip are required to have emergency medical ($50,000) and emergency evacuation ($500,000) insurance valid in their destination country. Short-term travel insurance to cover this minimum requirement (as well as more comprehensive coverage) is available for purchase through REI Adventures. Weather Our Kalahari Desert & Okavango Delta Safari departure dates coincide with the Botswana summer months.

During these months, more rainfall can be expected but rain very typically falls in short afternoon thundershowers which produce spectacular skies and vivid rainbows before passing. This is one of the very best times of year to visit the Kalahari as the rainfall produces lush desert landscapes, attracting a plethora of plains game such as springbok and gemsbok which converge in the thousands and are in turn followed by large predators in high numbers. Although vegetation may be fuller, game viewing in the Okavango is generally good year-round with these months being particularly good for spotting migratory birds. Daytime temperatures during summer months are hotter than at other times of the year and generally fall between the mid 80s to mid 90s with the occasional spike into the low 100s depending on specific location. Nighttime temperatures are typically comfortable, dropping into the mid 60s. Participants should follow the specific recommendations on the trip Gear List to ensure they are prepared all weather possibilities. Internal Flights This trip requires that one or more internal flights be booked separately by REI. Our travel specialists will collect payment and make reservations for all confirmed group members for these required internal flights.

Because airfare prices can change without notice, all flight prices are subject to change. General Information This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. Additional trip information will be provided upon sign up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply). We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today. Extend your trip

Question: Typically what is in best supply in the Kalahari?
Answer: Sand