Often incorrectly referred to as a desert, the Kalahari is not a true desert, but a semi-arid savanna. It is only in its southern reaches that the Kalahari resembles a true desert. But even here, a rich diversity of wildlife and plants can be found thriving in a seemingly inhospitable environment. The red Kalahari dunes, which date back between 16 000 and 20 000 years ago, were subsequently stabilised by vegetation. The red colour of the sand is due to a thin layer of iron oxide which covers the sand grains. Photo: Willie Olivier
