Kalahari Resort Opens in the Poconos

July 7, 2015

Hardrive Productions out of Orlando, Florida, puts on a heart-pounding African performance for the grand opening of the Africa-themed Kalahari Resort in the Pocono Mountains.

The Nelson family, owners of Kalahari Resorts and Conventions, officially opened the doors on the company’s grandest property to date and the first East Coast location, in the Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania. More than 600 guests were on hand for the event, including Pennsylvania state dignitaries, Tobyhanna Township representatives, construction development managers and various media outlets.

“Today is a big one for not only our company but my family as well,” said Todd Nelson, owner of Kalahari Resorts and Conventions. “We have always dreamed of expanding to the East Coast, and there’s no better way to do it than with our grandest resort to date in this historically prevalent tourist area.”

The resort is home to Pennsylvania’s largest indoor waterpark and also includes:

457 units including one-, two- and three-bedroom suites.
An outdoor waterpark with a huge outdoor pool, a large sundeck for relaxing, indoor/outdoor whirlpools and a swim-up bar.
30,000-sf family entertainment center with activities such as mini-bowling, cutting-edge arcade games, a 5-D theater and black-light mini golf.
Three full-service signature dining experiences.
Spa Kalahari & Salon.
100,000-sf convention center.
6,000 sf of retail.

The resort is authentically African themed, and visitors will see and feel this experience at every turn, including the handcrafted artwork adorning the walls, the Rwandan coffee beans served throughout the resort and the souvenirs sourced from local artisan communities throughout Africa. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to bring the spirit of Africa to the Poconos,” Nelson said. “We look forward to a successful property that will assist in boosting tourism in the area long term.”

The project broke ground in October 2013 and has brought more than 1,000 jobs to the area. Phase two of the resort is currently underway. When the addition is completed in spring 2017, the resort will boast nearly 1,000 guest rooms, have an expanded outdoor waterpark and have the distinction of being America’s largest indoor waterpark (200,000 sf).