Kalahari Desert, Semi-arid savanna in southern Botswana and Namibia.
The Kalahari is a semi-arid savanna in southern Botswana and Namibia that stretches across red sand plains, grasslands, and scattered scrub. Much of it consists of flat pans with low dunes and isolated trees such as acacia and camelthorn.
Archaeological evidence shows that the climate here was wetter and cooler between 30,000 and 11,000 years ago. After that period the region gradually became drier and shifted into the savanna landscape seen today.
San communities still inhabit parts of the region and demonstrate ways to extract moisture from roots during the dry months. Visitors who join guided encounters can observe these practices and learn how people identify edible plants in the sparse surroundings.
Temperatures swing from highs above 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in summer to lows below minus 15 degrees Celsius (5 degrees Fahrenheit) on winter nights. Water and protection from sun or cold are essential during any visit.
This area holds more continuous sand surfaces than any other desert on Earth. Despite low rainfall, antelope, lions, and cheetahs live here by getting most of their moisture from prey animals.
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