An immense, dry land dominates south-western Africa. Here, sand covers the land in rippling dunes and underlies dry savannas and rain drains away as quickly as it falls. Kalahari, a word meaning 'place of great thirst', is the appropriate name of one of southern Africa's greatest wildernesses. While the immense ecosystem of the Kalahari is characterized by its harsh conditions, it also offers a wealth of resources to the native wildlife. From the burrows of nocturnal bat-eared foxes to the massive colonies of harvester ants, the region provides habitats for a vast array of life. Meerkats, lions, ostriches and rare geckos all have adapted to this dry ecosystem.