City Lifestyle

Want to start a publication?

Learn More

Featured Article

Escape to an African Adventure

Experience Family Fun and Global Food at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions

Experience a Family-Friendly Adventure This Fall

Nestled within the picturesque Pocono Mountains in Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania, Kalahari Resorts & Conventions transforms its summer hotspot vibe into a haven of indoor fun as the weather cools.

Indoors, families can extend their warm-weather enjoyment with world-class dining, a massive game room, a luxurious spa, unique shopping experiences, and more. The resort features a sprawling 220,000-square-foot African-themed indoor waterpark, complete with 34 indoor waterslides, a FlowRider surfing experience, 10 indoor pools and whirlpools, five private hot tubs, a Wave Pool, Lazy River, and specially designed indoor kids’ play areas, ensuring endless entertainment for everyone in the family to enjoy.

Families can immerse themselves in the Big Game Room, a 40,000-square-foot entertainment zone featuring escape rooms, black light mini golf, a 7-D Motion Theater, mini bowling, and arcade games. Adults (and kids - check out the Mommy & Me services!) can unwind and rejuvenate in the Spa Kalahari and Salon, which offers a variety of treatments including Hydrafacial, massages, manicures/pedicures, and hair services. Wellness options also include skincare treatments, a hydrotherapy room, and halotherapy, a detoxifying Himalayan salt therapy treatment. For couples, the Paxton Grotto adult swim-up bar and private cabanas provide a perfect escape.

“Fall is a fantastic time to visit Kalahari Resort,” said Don Pleau, General Manager, Kalahari Resort, the Pocono Mountains. “The Pocono Mountain area comes alive with fall colors - and you don’t have to worry about cooler weather ruining your fun! We have something everyone in the family will enjoy, all under one roof.” 

For families with picky eaters, there are plenty of dining options. The Great Karoo Marketplace Buffet, a guest favorite, offers an extensive breakfast selection. Sortino’s Italian Kitchen serves up delicious pasta and pizza, while Cinco Niños Modern Mexican and Tequila Bar adds a spicy  Tex-Mex touch to your stay. Bonus: they also have the largest tequila and mezcal selection in the Ponoco Mountains! Steak and sushi lovers can indulge in a fine dining experience at the Double Cut Steak House.

For casual dining, B-Lux Grill & Bar is the go-to spot for gourmet burgers, craft beers, and larger-than-life milkshakes. The Last Bite satisfies sweet cravings with hand-dipped chocolates, caramel apples, homemade fudge, and ice cream.

“Here at Kalahari, we take our commitment to culinary seriously,” Pleau continues. “Our in-house food and beverage team takes pride in every dish they prepare, glass of wine they pour, and cocktail they mix.” 

The resort offers a variety of accommodations with African-inspired decor. Families seeking extra space and comfort can book luxurious suites, featuring one to five bedrooms,  separate living areas, whirlpool tubs, and private balconies.

A Commitment to Sustainability and Global Citizenship

Supporting Kalahari Resorts & Conventions means supporting a company dedicated to sustainability and global citizenship. Each of its four locations—Poconos, Texas, Ohio, and Wisconsin—employs eco-friendly practices, including energy-efficient technology, recycling programs, and water conservation. For example, guest rooms feature low-flow showerheads that reduce water consumption by 2.5 million gallons per year, and the waterparks use high-efficiency water pumps for extended life cycles. The resort also encourages recycling and uses post-consumer and recycled paper products.

Kalahari embraces its African theme authentically, selecting custom-crafted artwork and guest room furniture, playing recorded music from Cape Town, and offering original crafts as souvenirs. The Nelson family, who owns and operates Kalahari, travels throughout Africa to forge partnerships, supporting communities by bringing clean water and fostering entrepreneurship and creativity. The company has invested over $5.5 million to support local artists and craftsmen by purchasing African art and textiles showcased throughout the resorts.

In 2021, Kalahari funded solar power, clean water access, facilities for female sculptors, and raw materials to support the ZimSculpt community in Zimbabwe. Sculptures from this community are displayed at each resort, and when guests purchase a piece, the Nelson Family Life Foundation matches the purchase price, donating the total to The Water Colors Life Project, which aims to reduce barriers to clean water for African villages. Last year, Kalahari made the monumental pledge to bring clean water to one million people across Africa - which equates to a donation of $50 million.

“The Nelson Family has said that there truly is no place on earth more beautiful than Africa,” Pleau explains. “The landscape, the people, the culture, the art - we not only hope to bring a bit of that back to our guests at each Kalahari Resort, but also to support our friends in Africa.” 

Kalahari also partners with international organizations to provide education, economic development, and cultural exchange opportunities for Africa’s youth. The resorts host recent college graduates for a year-long work and cultural exchange program, where they receive practical hospitality education, skills, and work experience while sharing their cultures with Kalahari associates and guests, and learning more about American culture.

Discover more at KalahariResorts.com.


 

“Our in-house food and beverage team takes pride in every dish they prepare, glass of wine they pour, and cocktail they mix.” - Don Pleau

“The landscape, the people, the culture, the art - we not only hope to bring a bit of that back to our guests at each Kalahari Resort, but also to support our friends in Africa.” - Don Pleau