Kalahari Resorts



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

Overview
The Kalahari Resort is named after the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa, hence the African theme at all the resorts. The lobbies have artificial fountains, trees, and animals. Special African-themed events, such as getting photographed with baby tigers, are also held. Most of the water slides in the water parks are named after African animals, such as the "Rippling Rhino" and the "Wild Wildebeest". Other services at the Kalahari include restaurants, gift shops, and sweet shops.

Wisconsin Dells location
Wisconsin Dells, was home to the first Kalahari Resort, with the largest indoor water park in Wisconsin (125,000 square feet). Until December, 2007, it was also America's largest indoor waterpark. At that time, its sister hotel, Kalahari in Sandusky, opened its indoor waterpark, making it America's largest at 173,000 square feet (16,100 m2). The Dells Kalahari Indoor Waterpark has the first indoor "Master Blaster", an uphill water coaster. The Dells Kalahari also has an outdoor water park.

The resort has 742 guest rooms, suites, condos, and five-bedroom condos. It has two main restaurants: The Great Karoo and Kahunaville. Other activities include a spa and golfing at the Trappers Turn Golf Club outside of town.

The resort's signs along I-90/94 at Highway 12 and on Wisconsin Dells Parkway South (Highway 12) and Gasser Road have large LCD screens.

Indoor theme park
The resort contains a 100,000-square-foot (9,300 m2) indoor theme park with a six-story ferris wheel, a two-floored laser tag arena, go-kart tracks, an 18-hole golf course, a 24-lane bowling alley, rock climbing walls, carousel, sports bar, and a ropes course, and an arcade spread throughout the complex.

Sandusky location
The Sandusky, Ohio location is "America's Largest Indoor Waterpark". Its restaurant and shop names and waterpark rides differ somewhat from the other location. The indoor water park is 173,000 square feet (16,100 m2), making it the largest indoor waterpark in America. The waterpark contains a unique "Intelligent Roof System" which lets in the most natural light, allowing people to receive a suntan at any time of year. The location also features two "Flow Rider" surfing simulators, a basketball pool, a children's play area, an indoor/outdoor hot tub and a swim-up bar. The Sandusky Kalahari also has condominiums and a spa. It is located about 8 miles south of Cedar Point Amusement Park on Milan Road (US Route 250) in Huron Township.

Planned Fredericksburg location
Kalahari Resorts announced in November 2007 that its next resort location would be in Fredericksburg, Virginia, with a target opening date of December 2009,but due to a weakened economy, Kalahari did not have a planned opening date set as of August 2009. The project was approved by the city council on April 22, 2008. The indoor water park alone will be 125,000 square feet (11,600 m2). The outdoor waterpark will be much larger than the Dells' 70,000-square-foot (6,500 m2) outdoor park, at 170,000 square feet (16,000 m2).

Convention centers
Both existing 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 both won awards.