Kalahari Resorts

The Kalahari Resort & Convention Center is a resort chain with waterparks that has locations in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin and Sandusky, Ohio, with a third resort opening in 2010 in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Overview

Both resorts have a distinct African theme. The lobbies have artificial fountains, trees, animals, etc. Special African-themed events, such as getting your picture taken with baby tigers, are also held. Most of the water slides in their water parks are named after African animals, such as the "Rippling Rhino" and the "Wild Wildebeest". Other things included in Kalahari are restaurants, gift shops, sweet shops, and a variety of rooms and suites.

Name

The Kalahari Resort is named after the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa, hence its African theme.

Wisconsin Dells location

Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, home of the largest outdoor water park, Noah's Ark, is also home to the first Kalahari Resort, which is known for having the largest indoor water park in Wisconsin (125,000 square feet). From 2003-December 20, 2007, it was home to America's largest indoor waterpark. But on December 21, its sister hotel, Kalahari in Sandusky, opened their convert|93000|sqft|m2|sing=on expansion to their existing convert|80000|sqft|m2|sing=on indoor waterpark, making it America's largest at convert|173000|sqft|m2. The Dells Kalahari Indoor Waterpark, is home to the 1st indoor Master Blaster, an uphill water coaster. Water park admission is included upon staying at the resort, but also available to the general public as well. Prices for the general public vary, due to special holiday discounts. Along with the indoor water park, there is also an outdoor water park, which is also very large.

The resort has 742 guest rooms, suites, condos, and the new Ny-Um-Ba 5 bedroom condos. The resort has two main restaurants: The Great Karoo and Kahunaville.Other activities at Kalahari include going to their relaxing spa or luxurious lounges, golfing at the Trappers Turn Golf Club, located on the outside of town, enjoying their gift and sweet shops, and even create your own pottery.

The resort has recently replaced their signage along I-90/94 at Highway 12 and on Wisconsin Dells Parkway South (Highway 12) and Gasser Road. They both feature a large LCD screen.

Indoor Theme Park

In December of 2008, the resort will feature a 100,000 square foot indoor theme park, presumebly to compete with other mega resorts like Mt. Olympus. It will feature a ferris wheel 6 stories high, a two-floored laser tag arena, go-kart tracks, and an 18-hole golf course. Also, it will have a 24 lane bowling alley, rock climbing walls, carousel, sports bar, and a ropes course with 22 climbing features.

Wisconsin Dells rides

Indoor Waterpark (125,000 square feet):

*Master Blaster- An uphill water coaster that sits 2 people.
*Victoria Falls- A family raft slide that can sit up to 3 people.
*FlowRider- A ride that gives the people the ability to surf. Lessons are available.
*Luapula Lazy River- A convert|920|ft|m|sing=on indoor lazy river.
*Elephant's Trunk- A red 1 person body slide.
*Tazanian Twister- A purple and white "toilet bowl" ProBowl body slide.
*Rippling Rhino- A gray 3 person tube slide.
*Zig Zag Zebra- A yellow 2 tube slide.
*Wave Pool- A wave pool in the indoor waterpark connected to the lazy river.
*Leopard's Lair- A children's pool with 2 body slides.
*Basketball Pool near the FlowRider
*Basketball Pool near Master Blaster
*Hot Tubs throughout the park

Outdoor Waterpark (70,000 square feet):

*The Anaconda- A speedy yellow slide that can hold up to 3 people.
*Swahili Swirl- A red and blue "toilet bowl" CannonBowl 2 person slide.
*Extreme Rush- An orange and blue 2 lane ProSalom mat racing slide.
*Wild Wildebeest- A purple 2 person water slide.
*Zimbabwe Zipper- A green 2 person water slide.
*Zambezi Torrent- An outdoor lazy river.
*Splash Down Safari- An outdoor children's area with a giant tipping bucket.

andusky location

The Sandusky, Ohio location is "America's Largest Indoor Waterparkcite news
last = Collins
first = Laura
title = Kalahari's Expansion Makes It Nation's Largest Indoor Waterpark
publisher = The Point Online/Sandusky Register
date = 2007-12-21
url = http://thepointol.com/news/2007/124.html
accessdate = 2007-12-24 ] Also, the restaurant and shop names slightly different than the other location, as well as some of the waterpark rides differ from each resort. The indoor water park is convert|50000|sqft|m2 larger, at convert|173000|sqft|m2. Beginning in January 07 and ending on December 21 2007, they finished their convert|93000|sqft|m2|sing=on expansion, and opened it to the public, making it the largest indoor waterpark in America. Also included are the same condominiums, spa, etc. as in the Wisconsin Dells location. Kalahari Sandusky is located on Milan Road (US Route 250) a mile south of Bogart

andusky rides

Indoor Waterpark (173,000 square feet):

*Cheetah Race- An "Octopus Racers" slide where up to 4 people can race, face foward, on a mat. The short ride will include a spiral, then 55 degree hill.
*Rippling Rhino- A blue 4 person family raft ride.
*Swahili Swirl- A blue "toilet bowl" (Behemoth Bowl) with tubes that can hold up to 4 people.
*Tanzanian Twister- A red and yellow "toilet bowl" ProBowl body slide.
*Flow Rider I & II- Two rides that give people the ability to "surf". Lessons are available.
*Kid Safari- A small area including slides and water toys for the children 6 and under.
*Wave Pool- A convert|12000|sqft|m2|sing=on pool.
*Shooting Star- A basketball pool with 15 hoops.
*Zip Coaster- An orange uphill water coaster that can hold up to 2 people.
*Elephant's Trunk- A light blue 2 person slide. (Used to be called the "Swahili Swirl", but was renamed when the expansion opened in 2007)
*Zimbabwe Zipper- A purple 1 person body slide.
*Zig-Zag Zebra- A red 1 person body slide.
*Victoria Falls- A yellow 3-4 person family raft slide, similar to the Rippling Rhino.
*Zambezi River- convert|920|ft|m|sing=on lazy river.
*Leopard's Lair- Tree house for kids that includes small slides, a tipping bucket, and net crawls.
*Crocodile Cove- A basketball pool and kiddie area.
*Wild Wildebeest- A green 2 person slide.

Fredericksburg location planned

Kalahari Resorts announced in November 2007 that its next resort location will be in Fredericksburg, Virginia with a target opening date of December 2009. [cite web |url=http://www.fredericksburgva.gov/city_manager/kalahari_project.asp |title=Kalahari Resort and Conference Center |accessdate=2008-09-20 |work=fredericksburgva.gov |publisher=City of Fredericksburg, Virginia ] [cite web |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/16/AR2007111602179.html |title=$200 Million Resort With Water Park Planned for Fredericksburg |accessdate=2008-09-20 |last=Kunkle |first=Fredrick |date=2007-11-17 |page=B01 |work=The Washington Post |publisher=The Washington Post Company ] The project was approved by the city council on April 22, 2008. [cite news |first=Uriah A |last=Kiser |title=City approves water-park package |url=http://www.staffordcountysun.com/scs/news/local/article/city_approves_water_park_package/14339/ |work=staffordcountysun.com |date=2008-04-23 |accessdate=2008-09-20 ] The indoor water park alone will be convert|125000|sqft|m2. The outdoor waterpark will be much larger than the Dells' convert|70000|sqft|m2|sing=on outdoor park, at convert|170000|sqft|m2.cite news
title = Kalahari coming to Fredericksburg, Virginia
publisher = Kalahari Resorts
date = 2007-11-16
url = http://www.kalahariresorts.com/va/press/release.htm
accessdate = 2007-12-24 ]

Convention centers

Both Kalahari Resorts include a convention center where groups can hold meetings, parties, and banquets. The Kalahari Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells, and the Nia Center in Sandusky have won numerous awards.

References

Website

* [http://kalahariresort.com/hub/ KalahariResort.com - Official Website]