Want to go on a kid-friendly “safari” this holiday season?
Nestled within the picturesque Pocono Mountains in Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania, Kalahari Resorts & Conventions converts its summer hot spot vibe to indoor fun as the weather grows cold.
Indoors, families can extend their warm weather fun, accented by world-class dining, a luxurious spa, unique shopping experiences and more. With an expansive 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, there’s enough to keep everyone entertained for the entire stay.
Kids can get completely absorbed in the Big Game Room, a 40,000-square-foot entertainment zone featuring escape rooms, black light mini golf, 7-D Motion Theater, mini bowling and arcade games. Adults can relax, refresh and rejuvenate in the Spa Kalahari and Salon. Spa Kalahari offers everything from a Hydrafacial to massage to manicures/pedicures to hair services. Wellness options also include skincare, a hydrotherapy room and halotherapy, a detoxifying Himalayan salt therapy treatment. On a couples’ getaway? Check out Paxton Grotto, the adult swim-up, bar as well as private cabanas to get away from it all.
If you have finicky eaters in your family—and who doesn’t—there are plenty of options, including the Great Karoo Marketplace Buffet, a guest favorite that offers an extensive selection of breakfast items. For those craving Italian cuisine, Sortino’s Italian Kitchen serves up mouthwatering pasta and pizza. If you’re looking to add a little spice to your stay, you can share nachos and more at Cinco Niños Modern Mexican and Tequila Bar. The Double Cut Steak House is a haven for steak lovers, offering a fine-dining experience in a sophisticated setting.
For a more casual dining, B-Lux Grill & Bar is the go-to spot for gourmet burgers, craft beers and shakes. The Last Bite is where you can get your sugar fix: hand-dipped chocolates, caramel apples, homemade fudge and ice cream—oh my!
The resort offers a diverse range of accommodations with African-inspired decor. Families seeking extra space and comfort can book a luxurious suite, which offers separate living areas, whirlpool tubs and private balconies. These suites can accommodate families of multiple sizes with one to five bedrooms.
A Global Perspective
When you support a company that actively gives back, it’s a win-win. Kalahari Resorts & Conventions is serious about sustainability and being a global citizen, giving back to and building up communities in Africa. Each of its four locations—besides the Poconos, the company has resorts in Texas, Ohio and Wisconsin—uses eco-friendly practices, including energy-efficient technology, recycling programs and water conservation. For example, each guest room features low-flow showerheads, which reduce water consumption by 2.5 million gallons per year and high-efficiency water consumption pumps in the waterpark for an extended life cycle. The resort also encourages guests to recycle and uses high post-consumer and recycled paper products.
Kalahari embraces its African theme in authentic ways: from selecting custom-crafted artwork and guest room furniture, to playing recorded music from the streets of Cape Town to offering original crafts as guest souvenirs. The Nelson family, which owns and operates Kalahari, travels throughout Africa to forge partnerships, and the company gives back by bringing clean water supporting entrepreneurship and creativity. To date, the company has invested more than $5.5 million to support local artists and craftsmen through the purchase of African art, textiles and more showcased throughout the resorts.
In 2021, Kalahari Resorts funded solar power, clean water access, facilities for female sculptors and raw materials to support the community of 180 artisans at ZimSculpt in Zimbabwe. These sculptures are on display at each of the resorts. When guests purchase a piece, the Nelson Family Life Foundation matches the purchase price and donates the total combined amounts to The Water Colors Life Project, which aims to reduce barriers to clean water for African villages, and specifically artists, by drilling borewells every month.
Kalahari also partners with international organizations providing 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 during which they receive a practical hospitality education, skills and work experience as they share their cultures with Kalahari associates and guests and learn more about American culture.
Discover more at KalahariResorts.com.