What Major Desert Is Found in the Southern Portion of Africa?

Sand conceals the animals that dwell within the Namib Desert.

The Namib Desert stretches along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean from southwestern Angola through Namibia and into South Africa. The Kalahari Desert is also found in the southern portion of Africa, but is actually a savanna rather than a desert.

Water in the Namib Desert

The Namib Desert is exceptionally dry, located on a sandstone plateau. Although, rainfall ranges from only 0.2 to 0.3 inch each year, moisture accumulates from fog banks that roll in from the Atlantic Ocean.

Sand Dunes on the Namib Desert

The Namib Desert is covered with sand dunes reaching up to 1,000 feet. These sand dunes wander across the desert as the wind blows the particles of sand.

Kalihari

Though highly seasonal, rainfall levels in the Kalihari are able to support extensive plant life which roots the sand dunes in place. This plant life in turn supports a variety of animals including predators such as cheetahs, leopards and Kalahari lions.

References

• National Geographic: Kalahari Xeric Savanna
• PBS Nature: Kalahari
• World Wildlife Fund: Namib Desert
• World Wildlife Fund: Kalahari