Kalahari Resort Poconos: The Complete Guide

The Pocono Mountains used to be known for its honeymoon resorts. You can still find a few heart-shaped beds in the region, but today the popular tourism area may be more renowned more for its massive indoor water park hotels. And none is more massive than the Kalahari Resort.

The Poconos Kalahari features the same kind of indoor water park fun as the chain's other African-themed resorts in Sandusky, Ohio, and Wisconsin Dells (and coming in 2020 to Round Rock, Texas). The Kalahari locations are among the largest indoor water parks in the country and offer a wide array of water park activities as well as other attractions and amenities. At 220,000 square feet, the enormous Pennsylvania park rivals its sister properties in size and scope.

More than just a water park, the 150-acre resort includes lots of other things for vacationers to do. Visitors should expect a full-fledged resort that is geared to families with children and includes plenty of options, both wet and dry, to keep everyone busy.

It isn't all kid-centric fun and games, however. Unlike most indoor water park resorts, the facility also reaches out to business and meeting planners with a 205,000-square-foot convention and function complex. Trade show, meeting, and event attendees are encouraged to bring their brood along to enjoy the water park and all of the resort's other activities.

Wild Indoor Water Park

The gargantuan indoor water park includes virtually every kind of slide and attraction found at large outdoor water parks—and some that can’t be found Signature attractions include a water coaster and a Surfari FlowRider surfing ride. There is also The Smoke that Thunders, a large funnel ride; the Tanzanian Twister, a bowl ride; the Sahara Sidewinders, a huge slide that starts in a launch pod with a trap door; and the Barrelling Baboon, a slide with mini-funnels.

Other water park staples include a wave pool, a lazy river, tube slides, body slides, mat-racing slides, kiddie slides, and indoor and outdoor whirlpool spas. Splashdown Safari is a huge, jungle-themed interactive play structure with tipping bucket.

Have you (or your kids) ever dreamed about becoming a mermaid? Kalahari offers 60-minute lessons complete with sparkly costumes.

Lots of Other Things to Do

The Kalahari offers a ton of “dry” attractions. Among the offerings are The Arena Ultimate VR Experience. There are a couple of computer-generated, multi-player games to choose. The resort also offers a huge arcade with redemption and video games. There are mini-bowling lanes, escape room experiences, a 7-D motion theater, the Gorilla Express train ride, and indoor and outdoor mini-golf courses to try as well.

Children may want to give "Kamp Kalahari" a try. Supervised activities include movies, crafts, and storytelling. More adult-focused amenities include a full-featured spa, a fitness center, and shops.

When the weather cooperates, there is also a large outdoor swimming pool at the resort to try.

What’s to Eat?

The large resort includes a number of dining options. The signature restaurant is the Double Cut Charcoal Grill, a chophouse. Sortino’s Italian Kitchen and the Ivory Coast Restaurant are other full-service restaurants at the Kalahari. Also on the menu is the Great Karoo Marketplace Buffet, the B-Lux Grill & Bar, and Felix’s Bar.

Lighter fare includes the Java Manjaro coffee shop, the grab-and-go Marrakesh Market, and the Pizza Pub. The Last Bite offers baked goods and other treats.

Hotel Rooms, Admission Policy, and Location

Most of the rooms at the Kalahari are suites that come in a variety of configurations. (And yes, the resort does offer a honeymoon suite with a heart-shaped whirlpool tub.) There are also traditional hotel rooms, suites with bunk beds for kids, and 3-bedroom villas available.

Like the other Kalahari resorts, admission to the indoor water park is bundled in the room rates for registered hotel guests. Day passes to the water park are available to the general public based on availability.

The Kalahari Resort is located at 250 Kalahari Boulevard in Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania.