The Kalahari Desert is shared by Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa and contains extensive grasslands.
The Kalahari occupies much of southern Africa, with its central and largest areas in Botswana. Although commonly called a desert, it is not uniformly barren. Seasonal rainfall supports grasses, shrubs, and trees, particularly in years with stronger rains. Much of its surface consists of sandy soils rather than dramatic dune fields alone.
The Okavango Delta lies on the northern edge of the Kalahari basin. Seasonal floodwaters from the Okavango River spread across inland wetlands there, creating one of Africa’s most important wildlife habitats. This relationship often causes people to imagine the Kalahari as a completely dry landscape, but its ecology varies greatly by location and season.
The San peoples have lived across the Kalahari region for thousands of years. The desert is also associated with the Kalahari red sand and with wildlife such as meerkats, gemsbok, and lions. The Namib Desert, by contrast, lies along the Atlantic coast and is a different desert system.