Quick Kalahari Review
If you're planning a trip to Kalahari Resorts and want the real, honest rundown , you’re in the right place! I’m breaking down everything we experienced during our stay: the good, the bad, and the $31 cocktails.
If you want a much longer, more in depth blog of our experience, you can go here!
Let’s get into it! 👇
Check-In Experience
Check-in was... not the smoothest. We checked in around noon, and even though our room was already ready, no one told us. So instead of dropping off our bags and relaxing, we wandered around the resort waiting for 4 so that we could check-in.
Big miss:
No information was given at check-in about events, pricing, or how things like cash cards worked. It definitely felt like they were just trying to move the line along as fast as possible.
⭐ Overall Check-In Rating: 2.5/5
What to watch out for: If you’ve bought a meal package, you have to talk to the front desk about it, because you will NEED to get a card with your credits on it.. The check-in kiosk will give you none of that information.
Our Room
The room itself was great! Super clean, spacious, and the beds were comfy.
⭐ Overall Room Rating: 4.5/5
What to watch out for: Expensive snacks are placed right by the TV. Just make sure the kids don’t open them and give you extra charges.
The Waterpark
The indoor waterpark is where Kalahari shines. It’s HUGE. Way bigger than Great Wolf Lodge, and kept super clean. There was a ton of space, and we didn’t run into long lines for the slides, probably because they have so many.
Highlights:
The lazy river was a hit for all of us (especially Peyton).
Wave pool = 10/10 fun.
Plenty of seating options if you don't get a cabana.
Next time: I would love to splurge on a cabana (some even have private hot tubs!).
⭐ Overall Waterpark Rating: 5/5
What to watch out for: If you have a smaller kid (48” or smaller) they will be required to wear a lifejacket the entire time. They DO provide lifejackets, but you’re welcome to bring your own.
The Arcade
The arcade was massive and clean, and the staff was super friendly.
Downside: You basically need to expect the claw machines to scam you. (It’s their whole thing.) The prize selection was okay, but nothing that really made it feel worth the amount you’d spend to rack up tickets (but that’s every arcade, right?).
Cute moment:
Peyton wanted a big wolf from the pull-up bar game SO BAD, and even though neither Josh nor I could win it, one of the workers gave her a slightly damaged one for free.
⭐ Overall Arcade Rating: 4/5
What to watch out for: A lot of the games we tried to play would take our “tokens” and then not let us play. If a game looks like it’s going to be an easy win, it absolutely is not. Also, the pull-up bar challenge, the bar DOES slowly spin.
Dining & Restaurants
We tried a few spots during our stay:
Cinco Nino’s: Really good, family restaurant
Mac’s Mac & Cheese: Eh. It was fine, not amazing.
Sortino's Italian Kitchen: Probably my favorite of the trip. So good. Highly recommend!
Biggest dining note:
Expect food to be EXPENSIVE.
⭐ Overall Dining Rating: 4/5
What to watch out for: We were told by a member of the staff that there was a free breakfast buffet, only to find out that it was absolutely not free.
Easter Egg Hunt
This was honestly the biggest letdown of the trip. It was chaotic, disorganized, over in 5 minutes, and the prizes were nothing to get egg-cited about (sorry).
⭐ Overall Egg Hunt Rating: 1/5
What to watch out for: I just wouldn’t recommend this at all.
Easter Buffet
Absolutely stunning and completely redeemed the Easter event. The food, the chocolate fountains, the harpist, the decor… it was truly next level.
This is clearly where the $200 went, and it felt worth it.
⭐ Overall Easter Buffet Rating: 5/5
What to watch out for: Absolutely nothing. Everything was above and beyond with the buffet.
Cleanliness
The entire resort was spotless, including the waterpark and arcade. Really impressed with how clean and well-kept everything was!
⭐ Overall Cleanliness Rating: 5/5
Staff & Service
Every single staff member we talked to was super friendly, but there was misinformation and a lack of information when we asked them certain things.
⭐ Overall Staff Rating: 4/5
What to watch out for: Try get your information before you go, and if you can’t, I suggest asking a few members of the staff the same question to get the correct answer.
Hidden Costs & Transparency
This is where Kalahari really struggles. There are a LOT of hidden costs, and the website (and even check-in) doesn’t make things clear.
Things like:
Mandatory cash cards for some places (they are a cash free resort)
Higher-than-expected food and drink costs
Lack of included amenities unless you’re paying extra
If you go in knowing you’ll be charged for everything, it’s easier to enjoy. But I do wish they were more upfront about it from the start.
⭐ Overall Transparency Rating: 2.5/5
What to watch out for: It is a cash free resort. None of the stores take cash, but there are Cash Card Kiosks that you can get cards from. Just know that if you’re running low, you’ll need to know the exact amount that you have on the card in order to use it on a partial purchase.
Final Thoughts
If you’re comparing Kalahari to Great Wolf Lodge, here’s the deal:
Kalahari is more luxurious, more adult-friendly, and WAY bigger.
Great Wolf Lodge is more affordable, more transparent, and simpler to navigate.
Both are fun, it just depends what you’re looking for and what your budget is.
Would we go back to Kalahari?
Absolutely.
Would I come prepared with more cash, more patience, and lower expectations for included activities?
Also yes.
Have you been to Kalahari? What were your thoughts and experiences? Thinking about going and have any questions? Please let me know in the comments, I would love to answer any questions that you have! Have another place you'd like for me to review? Drop that down there, too!
