The
Kalahari Desert (in
Afrikaans:
Kalahari-woestyn) is a large
semi-arid sandy
savannah in extending , covering much of
Botswana, parts of
Namibia (previously South West Africa), and
South Africa. A semi-desert, with huge tracts of excellent grazing after good rains, the Kalahari supports more animals and plants than a true desert, such as the
Namib Desert to the west. There are small amounts of rainfall and the summer temperature is very high. The driest areas usually receive of rain per year, and the wettest just a little over . The surrounding
Kalahari Basin covers over extending farther into Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, and encroaching into parts of
Angola,
Zambia and
Zimbabwe. The Kalahari is home to many migratory birds and animals. Previously havens for wild animals from elephants to giraffes, and for predators such as lions and
cheetahs, the riverbeds are now mostly grazing spots, though leopards and cheetahs can still be found. The area is now heavily grazed and cattle fences restrict the movement of wildlife. Among deserts of the Southern Hemisphere, the Kalahari most closely resembles some
Australian deserts in its latitude and its mode of formation. The Kalahari Desert came into existence approximately sixty million years ago along with the formation of the African continent.