Which desert covers much of Botswana and parts of Namibia and South Africa?

The desert covering much of Botswana and parts of Namibia and South Africa is the Kalahari Desert.

The Kalahari is a large semi-arid sandy savanna in Southern Africa, spread mainly across Botswana and extending into Namibia and South Africa. It is often called a desert because of its low rainfall and dry landscapes, but it receives more precipitation and supports denser vegetation than many classic deserts. Grasses, shrubs, and trees can flourish after seasonal rains.

The name Kalahari is linked to Tswana words such as Kgala, meaning “the great thirst,” and Kgalagadi, meaning “a waterless place.” Its landscape includes red sands, dry valleys, seasonal pans, and salt pans such as Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Pans. The Okavango River reaches the region and forms a major inland delta, creating one of Africa’s richest wildlife habitats.

A common mix-up is the Namib Desert, which lies mainly west of the Kalahari along the Atlantic coast. The Kalahari is farther inland and is more accurately understood as part of a broader basin and semi-desert system. It supports lions, cheetahs, meerkats, gemsbok, and communities including San peoples.