Exploring Kalahari in Round Rock

When it’s time to plan your next getaway, Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Round Rock needs to be on your shortlist. With a wide variety of food, fun and relaxation, it’s a practical paradise for nearly anyone needing a new place to rest their head for a while.

The Kalahari brand is the brainchild of Todd Nelson, following a trip to Africa in the 1990s. The culture, spirit, craft and artistry he saw there struck a chord in the young entrepreneur and inspired him to design a waterpark that reflected the beauty of African cultures. Fast forward to today, and the Nelson family has built a brand known for delivering a beyond-expectations waterpark resort and conference experience all under one roof. I was fortunate enough to visit the Round Rock resort recently, and I’m pleased to report that Kalahari lives up to the hype.

Photos courtesy of Kalahari Resorts & Conventions

One thing that’s impossible to overlook is the attention to detail with nearly every piece of the Kalahari experience. From the moment you walk through the doors, the artistry is on full display. One feature I really like about Kalahari is the Amatuli outdoor marketplace. While it makes for a great space for outdoor special events, they’ve also used the marketplace to offer pieces by African artists and offer workshop tours with artists-in-residence. The resort has long had a dedication to the arts in Africa with more than 1,000 pieces of African art, sculptures, furniture and retail items for the Round Rock resort hand-selected by the Nelson family. This massive art investment is part of an ongoing commitment to the people, places and cultures that inspire the resort. This includes the 22 life-size animal sculptures, including 12 elephants, 7 zebras, a mother and baby rhino and a cape buffalo — meaning be ready for some great photo opps.

Food is a pretty big deal for Kalahari. Touting an impressive collection of 20 dining outlets, including Kalahari’s signature steakhouse, Italian and Tex-Mex experiences, a buffet experience and many additional quick-bite options including a Wonka-level candy shop under one roof, there’s a solid range of flavor to be appreciated. During my stay, I was pleasantly surprised by the flavor at Sortino’s Italian Kitchen. With a great assortment of pastas, plates, and pizzas they have options for nearly every eater in your entourage. I was a big fan of their crispy calamari. If you’re looking for more of an upscale dining experience, Double Cut Steakhouse is the place for you. Obviously, they have great steak options, but they haven’t taken that as an opportunity to slack on their chops or seafood. If you’re looking for something more casual, B-Lux Grill & Bar has a burger that you’ll love. Best of all, it’s right next to the arcade, making it the perfect pitstop on the way to some major fun.

Tom Foolery’s Adventure Park is an absolute must for any stay at Kalahari. Sitting on 80,000 square feet of fun, this gem of an experience includes more than 250 arcade games, a ropes course, climbing walls, indoor zip line, bowling, laser tag, mini golf, thrill rides and more. Be sure to bring your swimsuit with you though — their indoor waterpark is open year round and offers just as much fun. Splashing on 223,000 square feet, with an expansion in the works, the waterpark features 30 waterslides, 20 pools and whirlpools, outdoor pools and more. If you appreciate leisure like myself, you’ll love their lazy river. During my stay, it was a great way to get acclimated to the water and just relax for a bit before setting my sights on a more engaging activity: the FlowRider surfing simulator. This attraction is worth the stay all on its own. If you haven’t noticed, there’s not a lot of surfing opportunities in Texas, so having something this accessible and fun just a short walk’s distance from my room made my stay a blast. Don’t worry though, admission to Kalahari’s Indoor Waterpark and Tom Foolerys Adventure Park is available even if you’re not spending the night at the resort. That’s because beyond being a great resort and convention center, Kalahari has quickly become a highlight to the Austin area — but book fast, because day passes sell out quickly.

All-in-all Kalahari Resorts & Conventions delivers in every kep category — visual appeal, food, and fun. It’s easy to see why so many Texas are talking about their trips to Kalahari. Whether you’re planning a getaway for the family or from your everyday grind, Kalahari needs to be your next destination.