Kalahari Desert: Quick Facts

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Physical map of southern Africa showing elevation with color shading, major rivers including the Orange River, national boundaries, cities, mountain ranges, deserts such as the Kalahari, and features like salt flats, swamps, and waterfalls. Surrounding countries include Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia, Angola, South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini. An inset locator map highlights the region within the African continent.

Map of southern Africa highlighting the Kalahari Desert in orange, spanning parts of Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa, with surrounding countries and major bodies of water labeled for geographic context.

Five springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) stand together on sandy ground in the open, arid landscape of the Kalahari.

Kalahari desert

A lioness lies on the ground licking one cub while another cub sits nearby in the Kalahari desert, South Africa.

Historical map of the southern part of Africa from 1902, showing colonial territories including German Southwest Africa, Bechuanaland, Transvaal Colony, Orange River Colony, Cape Colony, and Natal. The map includes detailed insets of Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Ladysmith, with colonial boundaries and major towns marked.

Two springboks (Antidorcas marsupialis) with slender bodies and curved horns stand on dry, open ground in the Kalahari, South Africa.

Two springbok antelopes with heads lowered and horns locked in combat on dry ground in the Kalahari Desert, South Africa.

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Mount Kenya in Mount Kenya National Park is the highest mountain in Africa. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Giant Lobelia in foreground. (Mt. Kenya; Mt. Kenya National Park; mountains; rugged mountain; African geography, African landscape, stratovolcano)

Africa’s Physical Features