Did you know that Africa is home to some of the largest and most diverse deserts in the world? From the vast and arid Sahara to the striking red sands of the Kalahari, these deserts shape the continent’s climate, ecosystems, and even its cultures.
Stretching across multiple regions and nations, Africa’s deserts vary widely in size, terrain, and climate. Some are scorching hot with endless sand dunes, while others have rocky plateaus and seasonal water sources. To better understand these vast landscapes, we’ve compiled data on the biggest deserts in Africa, ranked by land area.
Overview of the Data
The following table lists the largest deserts in Africa, along with their size, regional location, and the countries they cover.
| Desert | Area (km²) | Region | Countries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sahara Desert | 9,200,000 | Eastern, Middle, Northern, Western Africa | Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan, Tunisia, Western Sahara |
| Kalahari Desert | 900,000 | Southern Africa | Botswana, Namibia, South Africa |
| Ogaden Desert | 256,000 | Eastern Africa | Ethiopia, Somalia, Somaliland |
| Puntland Desert | 200,000 | Eastern Africa | Somalia |
| Guban Desert | 175,000 | Eastern Africa | Somalia, Somaliland |
| Namib Desert | 160,000 | Middle, Southern Africa | Angola, Namibia, South Africa |
| Danakil Desert | 137,000 | Eastern Africa | Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia |
| Chalbi Desert | 100,000 | Eastern Africa | Kenya |
| Ferlo Desert | 70,000 | Western Africa | Senegal |
The Sahara: Africa’s Most Dominant Desert
Topping the list is the Sahara Desert, the largest hot desert in the world. Covering an astonishing 9.2 million km², it spans across 12 countries and dominates much of North Africa. The Sahara is known for its extreme temperatures, with scorching daytime heat and freezing nights. Its vast sand dunes, some reaching over 180 meters in height, are among the most famous desert landscapes on Earth.
Despite its harsh environment, the Sahara has a rich history. It was once a thriving region with lakes, rivers, and vegetation. Today, it is home to nomadic tribes, ancient trade routes, and unique desert wildlife adapted to its extreme conditions.
The Kalahari: A Desert with Life
The Kalahari Desert, covering 900,000 km², is another major African desert, but unlike the Sahara, it is not entirely barren. Located in Southern Africa, it spans Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. The Kalahari is a semi-arid desert, meaning it receives more rainfall than typical deserts. This allows for the survival of plants like acacia trees and animals such as meerkats, antelopes, and even lions.
The indigenous San people (Bushmen) have lived in the Kalahari for thousands of years, mastering survival techniques such as water conservation and hunting with poison-tipped arrows.
Other Notable Deserts in Africa
While the Sahara and Kalahari dominate in size, Africa is home to several other notable deserts:
- Ogaden Desert (256,000 km²) – Found in Ethiopia, Somalia, and Somaliland, this desert is known for its arid climate and sparse vegetation.
- Puntland Desert (200,000 km²) – Located entirely in Somalia, this desert features rocky landscapes and seasonal rivers.
- Guban Desert (175,000 km²) – Another Somali desert, Guban experiences extreme heat and is among the driest places on Earth.
- Namib Desert (160,000 km²) – One of the world’s oldest deserts, the Namib is famous for its towering red sand dunes and the eerie Skeleton Coast, where shipwrecks litter the shore.
- Danakil Desert (137,000 km²) – Located in Djibouti, Eritrea, and Ethiopia, this desert is home to one of the hottest places on Earth, with volcanic activity and surreal landscapes.
- Chalbi Desert (100,000 km²) – Found in Kenya, the Chalbi is a unique desert that was once an ancient lake. Its salt-crusted terrain makes it one of Africa’s most striking landscapes.
- Ferlo Desert (70,000 km²) – Located in Senegal, this desert is part of the Sahel region and faces desertification due to climate change.
The Impact of Africa’s Desert
Africa’s deserts play a crucial role in shaping the continent’s climate, wildlife, and human settlements. While they are often seen as harsh and inhospitable, many support unique ecosystems and ancient cultures. However, desertification—the process of fertile land turning into desert due to climate change and deforestation—is a growing concern.
Efforts such as the Great Green Wall, an ambitious project to plant trees across the Sahel region, aim to combat desertification and restore degraded lands.
From the vast expanse of the Sahara to the mysterious landscapes of the Namib and Danakil, Africa’s deserts are a testament to the planet’s extreme beauty and resilience.