My family and I love to take mini-vacations to local destinations. Living in NYC, we have many options. One of my favorite East Coast Family Getaways is Kalahari Resorts. Kalahari is the perfect family resort that has one of the most amazing indoor waterparks.
The two-hour car ride we had transformed our lives from not only heading into another state of Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania but to Kalahari, Africa as well.
What Kalahari Resorts Has to Offer
Kalahari Resorts is Spectacular! All of the following attractions are under one roof:
- a Convention center
- an indoor waterpark
- an assortment of restaurants
- a spectacular spa
- accommodations and shopping
- African Art
- a tremendous arcade room
- a Fitness center
This Spring, there will be an outdoor waterpark and an even bigger expansion to the coolest indoor waterpark as well. With this expansion also comes and an additional wing to the resort.
In March 2017, Kalahari Resorts and Conventions’ Pocono Mountains location will be home to America’s Largest Indoor Waterpark. With a true 220,000 square feet of attractions, new additions to the indoor waterpark will include:
How Awesome is this!
Eight New Slides:
o Screaming Hyena: A trap-door start that drops into a near-vertical plunge at up to 25 mph
o Sahara Sidewinder: An indoor looping waterslide that takes guests on a 250-plus-foot journey
o “The Smoke That Thunders” and Victoria Falls:Named after the natural wonder of the world located in southern Africa, it will provide unforgettable waterslide experiences
o Kenya’s Korkscrew: Zig-zag slide
o Zig-Zag Zebra:Tunnel slide
o Cheetah Race Mat Slide:Challenge your friends to see who gets down the hill fastest
o Elephant’s Trunk
• Dungeons of Hout Bay Wavepool
• Lazy River Expansion
• Coral Cove Kids’ Play Area
• Additional Swim-Up Bar and the Paxton Grotto
• Cabana Island to offer guests a prime location to call home while they splash the day away
Additional Amenities to Enhance the Beyond-Expectations Guest Experience
• 520 rooms, which brings the resort total to nearly 1,000 guest rooms including two new styles exclusive to the Poconos
• Dining:
o Double Cut Charcoal Grill/Liquor Bar: Kalahari’s signature steak house experience featuring: premium cuts of meat, craft cocktails, family style sides and more
o Sortino’s Italian Kitchen: A new-aged, red-sauced restaurant where old-school Italian cuisine meets the modern age.
o Marrakesh Market: Grab and go convenience bazaar style shopping, unique gifts, authentic-African items and everyday needs
o 30,000-sq.-ft. extension to the family entertainment center including the new virtual reality experience, The Arena
o An additional Kalahari Fitness and Training Center
I can’t wait to go back and see how much it has transformed!!
Although Kalahari is massive in size the personal touch is truly evident throughout. From the front desk personal to the waitstaff and team members everyone goes out of their way to attend to your needs.
We loved The Great Karoo Buffet. The choices were unbelievable and endless. The girls were delighted in making their own selections for breakfast while having the most delicious omelettes and the freshest fruit. We also had dinner another day there and it was even better than we had imagined. Dessert was the highlight of the meal with individualized portions a sampling of all was a must have.
Now onto the main reason you want to book your trip to Kalahari right now is the Indoor Waterpark– It will leave you speechless. You never get the confining feeling of being indoors for a length of time. It is bright and spacious and warm too. The water is just the right temperature to keep you comfortable from each water slide to the next.
Everything you need in the waterpark is there: a lazy river, water slides- the Anaconda was everyone’s favorite, pool basketball and a hot tub for adults with a swim up bar. We all enjoyed in indoor / out door hot tub. While not in the pool you can choose to rent a cabana for the day to get a little privacy and enjoy the TV and mini fridge. Lunch was served for our entire group, the staff couldn’t have been more helpful in accommodating everyone’s needs to getting refills on drinks and fresh towels. Though it can be tricky keeping my eye on 3 young girls I never felt they weren’t being taken care of. The lifeguard staff is on constant watch making sure all are following the rules and wearing life vests when needed.
After a day at the waterpark it was time to relax and have some fun in the game room. This arcade had something for everyone.
This adventure to Kalahari was exceptional. While walking around the resort you could see kids of all ages, parents and grandparents singles or couples and they all had the same expression on their faces. Everyone was HAPPY. The feeling of having fun at Kalhari Resort is beyond words.
We can’t wait to go back and see all the new things available with the expansion!
Don’t let the winter cold get you down. Plan the perfect winter weekend getaway today!
Have you been to Kalahari? What would you like to do the most?
That looks like a world of fun. It looks like there is something for everyone, not just the water lovers. That is really great!
This sounds like so much fun! I adore her cute mermaid tail. My daughter would love to have one.
That looks like such an incredible family getaway! If I we lived closer, it would certainly be on our list. Love the mermaid tail, adorable!
Well, this sure looks like fun! My husband and I were just talking about a get away to the Poconos last week. We live in Missouri and have heard about this place many times. When is the best time to visit?
Holy cow! That place looks so fun. I didn’t realize there were places like this in the US. I would love to take my family there.
Looks like a great time for everyone! We would love to escape during the colder winter months. The mermaid tail is absolutely precious!
Wowie. Looks like loads of fun. Your lovely girls must have love it as much! Never knew there was an African experience in Pennsylvania. This is an awesome recommendation! 🙂
Looks like you guys had a great time. Adding it to my list of places to visit … seeing all these reviews are making me want to go on a year long vacation 🙂
The glasses are awesome! I’m sure your family had an amazing time there. Kalahari Resorts looks as an amazing place for family to spend time. Loads of fun, with lots of interesting attractions. If I live in NY I’d certainly visit this place.
This looks like such a good park, especially for kids – my family would love this! We haven’t been to a water park in years and years..
Wow, this sounds like such a cool place, I would love to visit! It sounds like it caters for everyone. And what exciting changes over the coming months! Glad you enjoyed your visit 🙂
We were there last October (2015) and loved it. I can’t wait to see the expansion. Brandberg Restaurant was really outstanding and I have to recognize the amazing water staff, they were really on point and watching the kids and adults in the water.
Here’s my video from last year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okE4N9LYo2E
Wow this place looks so fun!! I remember my parents taking us to water parks when we were younger and thinking it was the best day ever!
Oh wow! My kids would never want to leave. This place looks like endless amounts of fun and adventure.
Wow I would love a weekend getaway here. I love water park when I go on holiday and we don’t have any here in the UK quite like this. Would also love a visit to their spa!
I cannot wait to go to kalahari prob in April!
This is definitely on my bucket list. This looks like lot of fun.
I have been there once and it was so fun. We loved the indoor hot tub that connected to the outside