Kalahari Desert

The Kalahari Desert (in Afrikaans: Kalahari-woestyn) is a large semi-arid sandy savannah in southern Africa extending 900,000 square kilometres (350,000 sq mi), covering much of Botswana, parts of Namibia (previously South West Africa), and South Africa. A semi-desert, with huge tracts of excellent grazing after good rains, the Kalahari supports more animals and plants than a true desert, such as the Namib Desert to the west. There are small amounts of rainfall and the summer temperature is very high. The driest areas usually receive 110–200 millimetres (4.3–7.9 in) of rain per year, and the wettest just a little over 500 millimetres (20 in). The surrounding Kalahari Basin covers over 2,500,000 square kilometres (970,000 sq mi) extending farther into Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, and encroaching into parts of Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Kalahari is home to many migratory birds and animals. Previously havens for wild animals from elephants to giraffes, and for predators such as lions and cheetahs, the riverbeds are now mostly grazing spots, though leopards and cheetahs can still be found. The area is now heavily grazed and cattle fences restrict the movement of wildlife. Among deserts of the Southern Hemisphere, the Kalahari most closely resembles some Australian deserts in its latitude and its mode of formation. The Kalahari Desert came into existence approximately sixty million years ago along with the formation of the African continent.

Kalahari Resorts

The Kalahari Resort and Convention Center is a water park resort chain with locations in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin; Sandusky, Ohio; and Poconos Mountains, Pennsylvania. At 173,000 square feet, the indoor water park at Kalahari's Ohio resort is the largest in the United States. Kalahari's third location in Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania opened on July 1, 2015 and is set to surpass the size of the Ohio resort's indoor water park at 200,000 square feet when its completed.

Overview

The Kalahari Resort is named after the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa, hence the African theme at all the resorts. The lobbies have artificial fountains, trees, and animals that have been imported from local markets and shops in Africa. Special African-themed events, such as getting photographed with baby lions, are also held. Most of the water slides are named after African animals, such as the Rippling Rhino and the Wild Wildebeast. Other services at the Kalahari include restaurants, gift shops, and sweet shops. Kalahari Resorts Wisconsin Dells includes a 104,000-square-foot (9,700 m²) convention center, while Kalahari Resorts Sandusky, Ohio, as of January 2012, has a 215,000-square-foot (20,000 m²) one. The Kalahari Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells, and the Nia Center in Sandusky have both won awards for their AquaRecycle system, a laundry water recycling and filtration system that reuses 70 percent of its laundry water.

Wisconsin Dells

Wisconsin Dells may refer to: