Which desert extends across parts of Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa?

The Kalahari Desert extends across parts of Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa.

It is a large semiarid region of Southern Africa, covering roughly 900,000 square kilometres. Much of it is sandy savanna rather than a completely barren landscape, and seasonal rainfall supports grasses, shrubs, wildlife, and human communities.

The name Kalahari is commonly linked to Tswana terms meaning “the great thirst” or “a waterless place.” The region has no permanent surface water across much of its interior, but it contains important seasonal pans and underground water sources. The Okavango Delta lies on the broader Kalahari Basin's northern edge, although the lush delta itself is not simply synonymous with the desert.

The Kalahari is also home to the San peoples, whose communities have longstanding knowledge of local plants, animals, and water sources. Major protected areas include Central Kalahari Game Reserve and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. A frequent mix-up is identifying the Namib Desert as the answer: the Namib is a separate coastal desert, while the Kalahari lies farther inland and spans the three countries named in the question.