Latest news with #Kalahari
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions Celebrates Major Construction Milestone in Virginia
1.38 million-square-foot resort on track to open November 2026; Governor highlights statewide business growth during milestone event SPOTSYLVANIA, Va., June 04, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kalahari Resorts & Conventions marked a major construction milestone today with a Ceremonial Steel Signing at its newest location in Spotsylvania, Virginia. Set to open in November 2026, the $900 million development is Kalahari's most ambitious resort to date and will bring 1.38 million square feet of all-under-one-roof experiences to the East Coast. To commemorate the occasion, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin joined Kalahari leadership, construction partners, and community stakeholders on site to celebrate progress and underscore the project's role in Virginia's broader economic growth. During remarks, the Governor referenced the more than $100 billion in capital investment commitments made across the Commonwealth to date - positioning Virginia as a national leader in business expansion and job creation. "From day one, we declared Virginia open for business, and the results speak for themselves," said Governor Glenn Youngkin. "With more than $100 billion in capital investments from companies building their future in the Commonwealth and 265,000 new jobs created during our administration, Virginia isn't just competing to win, Virginia is winning. Very soon, families will gather right here at Kalahari Resorts to create priceless memories and share unforgettable moments. Together, we are making Virginia the best place to live, work, and raise a family." "This moment is more than a construction milestone - it's a testament to the collaborative spirit and momentum behind this project," said Todd Nelson, Founder and CEO of Kalahari Resorts. "We're building more than a resort; we're building a destination that will energize the region and bring unforgettable experiences to families and travelers from across the country." When complete, the Spotsylvania resort will be a comprehensive vacation, entertainment, and convention destination offering: 907 guest rooms and suites, including 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom options with upscale amenities 175,000-square-foot indoor waterpark – the largest in Virginia Outdoor waterpark spread across 10 acres 90,000-square-foot Tom Foolerys Adventure Park, featuring thrill rides, a ropes course, bowling, zip lining, laser tag, and over 250 arcade games 150,000-square-foot convention and meeting space, including two expansive ballrooms and 16 breakout rooms 12 onsite food and beverage outlets, including four full-service signature restaurants: Double Cut® Steak House Sortino's Italian Kitchen Cinco Niños B-Lux Grill & Bar Entertainment venues including Redd's Piano Bar & Lounge 10,000+ square feet of retail space, fitness center, Build-A-Bear Workshop®, and more Construction is progressing steadily under the leadership of Hensel Phelps, with specialized contributions from Neuman Group (pool construction) and Henderson (sitework development). More than 500 workers are currently on site, with construction staffing expected to peak at 800 in the coming months. Kalahari Resorts – Spotsylvania County is poised to generate meaningful economic impact for the region. In addition to hundreds of construction jobs, the resort is expected to create more than 1400 full and part-time hospitality, culinary, retail, and operations roles. Details around local hiring commitments, educational partnerships, and community engagement initiatives will be announced in the coming months. Located just off I-95 near Dominion Raceway & Entertainment, the resort is within easy reach of Richmond, Washington D.C., Charlottesville, and other major metro areas across the Mid-Atlantic. For more information, visit: About Kalahari Resorts and Conventions Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, Sandusky, Ohio, the Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania, Round Rock, Texas, and opening soon in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, deliver a beyond-expectations waterpark resort and conference experience all under one roof. The African-inspired Kalahari Resorts, privately owned by the Nelson family, are home to America's Largest Indoor Waterparks. Todd and Shari Nelson, the founders of Kalahari Resorts, were honored with an induction into the Wisconsin Business Hall of Fame in 2023. All Kalahari Resorts feature well-appointed guest rooms and suites, the full-service Spa Kalahari, a fun-filled family entertainment center, on-site signature restaurants, unique retail shops and a state-of-the-art convention center. For more information, members of the media are encouraged to visit View source version on Contacts Jessica LangrehrPR Account SupervisorMorning Walkprteam@ 872.208.8535
Business Wire
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions Celebrates Major Construction Milestone in Virginia
SPOTSYLVANIA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kalahari Resorts & Conventions marked a major construction milestone today with a Ceremonial Steel Signing at its newest location in Spotsylvania, Virginia. Set to open in November 2026, the $900 million development is Kalahari's most ambitious resort to date and will bring 1.38 million square feet of all-under-one-roof experiences to the East Coast. To commemorate the occasion, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin joined Kalahari leadership, construction partners, and community stakeholders on site to celebrate progress and underscore the project's role in Virginia's broader economic growth. During remarks, the Governor referenced the more than $100 billion in capital investment commitments made across the Commonwealth to date - positioning Virginia as a national leader in business expansion and job creation. 'From day one, we declared Virginia open for business, and the results speak for themselves,' said Governor Glenn Youngkin. 'With more than $100 billion in capital investments from companies building their future in the Commonwealth and 265,000 new jobs created during our administration, Virginia isn't just competing to win, Virginia is winning. Very soon, families will gather right here at Kalahari Resorts to create priceless memories and share unforgettable moments. Together, we are making Virginia the best place to live, work, and raise a family.' 'This moment is more than a construction milestone - it's a testament to the collaborative spirit and momentum behind this project,' said Todd Nelson, Founder and CEO of Kalahari Resorts. 'We're building more than a resort; we're building a destination that will energize the region and bring unforgettable experiences to families and travelers from across the country.' When complete, the Spotsylvania resort will be a comprehensive vacation, entertainment, and convention destination offering: 907 guest rooms and suites, including 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom options with upscale amenities 175,000-square-foot indoor waterpark – the largest in Virginia Outdoor waterpark spread across 10 acres 90,000-square-foot Tom Foolerys Adventure Park, featuring thrill rides, a ropes course, bowling, zip lining, laser tag, and over 250 arcade games 150,000-square-foot convention and meeting space, including two expansive ballrooms and 16 breakout rooms 12 onsite food and beverage outlets, including four full-service signature restaurants: Double Cut® Steak House Sortino's Italian Kitchen Cinco Niños B-Lux Grill & Bar Entertainment venues including Redd's Piano Bar & Lounge 10,000+ square feet of retail space, fitness center, Build-A-Bear Workshop®, and more Construction is progressing steadily under the leadership of Hensel Phelps, with specialized contributions from Neuman Group (pool construction) and Henderson (sitework development). More than 500 workers are currently on site, with construction staffing expected to peak at 800 in the coming months. Kalahari Resorts – Spotsylvania County is poised to generate meaningful economic impact for the region. In addition to hundreds of construction jobs, the resort is expected to create more than 1400 full and part-time hospitality, culinary, retail, and operations roles. Details around local hiring commitments, educational partnerships, and community engagement initiatives will be announced in the coming months. Located just off I-95 near Dominion Raceway & Entertainment, the resort is within easy reach of Richmond, Washington D.C., Charlottesville, and other major metro areas across the Mid-Atlantic. For more information, visit: Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, Sandusky, Ohio, the Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania, Round Rock, Texas, and opening soon in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, deliver a beyond-expectations waterpark resort and conference experience all under one roof. The African-inspired Kalahari Resorts, privately owned by the Nelson family, are home to America's Largest Indoor Waterparks. Todd and Shari Nelson, the founders of Kalahari Resorts, were honored with an induction into the Wisconsin Business Hall of Fame in 2023. All Kalahari Resorts feature well-appointed guest rooms and suites, the full-service Spa Kalahari, a fun-filled family entertainment center, on-site signature restaurants, unique retail shops and a state-of-the-art convention center. For more information, members of the media are encouraged to visit
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions Celebrates Major Construction Milestone in Virginia
1.38 million-square-foot resort on track to open November 2026; Governor highlights statewide business growth during milestone event SPOTSYLVANIA, Va., June 04, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kalahari Resorts & Conventions marked a major construction milestone today with a Ceremonial Steel Signing at its newest location in Spotsylvania, Virginia. Set to open in November 2026, the $900 million development is Kalahari's most ambitious resort to date and will bring 1.38 million square feet of all-under-one-roof experiences to the East Coast. To commemorate the occasion, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin joined Kalahari leadership, construction partners, and community stakeholders on site to celebrate progress and underscore the project's role in Virginia's broader economic growth. During remarks, the Governor referenced the more than $100 billion in capital investment commitments made across the Commonwealth to date - positioning Virginia as a national leader in business expansion and job creation. "From day one, we declared Virginia open for business, and the results speak for themselves," said Governor Glenn Youngkin. "With more than $100 billion in capital investments from companies building their future in the Commonwealth and 265,000 new jobs created during our administration, Virginia isn't just competing to win, Virginia is winning. Very soon, families will gather right here at Kalahari Resorts to create priceless memories and share unforgettable moments. Together, we are making Virginia the best place to live, work, and raise a family." "This moment is more than a construction milestone - it's a testament to the collaborative spirit and momentum behind this project," said Todd Nelson, Founder and CEO of Kalahari Resorts. "We're building more than a resort; we're building a destination that will energize the region and bring unforgettable experiences to families and travelers from across the country." When complete, the Spotsylvania resort will be a comprehensive vacation, entertainment, and convention destination offering: 907 guest rooms and suites, including 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom options with upscale amenities 175,000-square-foot indoor waterpark – the largest in Virginia Outdoor waterpark spread across 10 acres 90,000-square-foot Tom Foolerys Adventure Park, featuring thrill rides, a ropes course, bowling, zip lining, laser tag, and over 250 arcade games 150,000-square-foot convention and meeting space, including two expansive ballrooms and 16 breakout rooms 12 onsite food and beverage outlets, including four full-service signature restaurants: Double Cut® Steak House Sortino's Italian Kitchen Cinco Niños B-Lux Grill & Bar Entertainment venues including Redd's Piano Bar & Lounge 10,000+ square feet of retail space, fitness center, Build-A-Bear Workshop®, and more Construction is progressing steadily under the leadership of Hensel Phelps, with specialized contributions from Neuman Group (pool construction) and Henderson (sitework development). More than 500 workers are currently on site, with construction staffing expected to peak at 800 in the coming months. Kalahari Resorts – Spotsylvania County is poised to generate meaningful economic impact for the region. In addition to hundreds of construction jobs, the resort is expected to create more than 1400 full and part-time hospitality, culinary, retail, and operations roles. Details around local hiring commitments, educational partnerships, and community engagement initiatives will be announced in the coming months. Located just off I-95 near Dominion Raceway & Entertainment, the resort is within easy reach of Richmond, Washington D.C., Charlottesville, and other major metro areas across the Mid-Atlantic. For more information, visit: About Kalahari Resorts and Conventions Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, Sandusky, Ohio, the Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania, Round Rock, Texas, and opening soon in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, deliver a beyond-expectations waterpark resort and conference experience all under one roof. The African-inspired Kalahari Resorts, privately owned by the Nelson family, are home to America's Largest Indoor Waterparks. Todd and Shari Nelson, the founders of Kalahari Resorts, were honored with an induction into the Wisconsin Business Hall of Fame in 2023. All Kalahari Resorts feature well-appointed guest rooms and suites, the full-service Spa Kalahari, a fun-filled family entertainment center, on-site signature restaurants, unique retail shops and a state-of-the-art convention center. For more information, members of the media are encouraged to visit View source version on Contacts Jessica LangrehrPR Account SupervisorMorning Walkprteam@ 872.208.8535 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Telegraph
25-05-2025
- Telegraph
How under-the-radar Botswana got safari tourism right
In Botswana, they named their currency, pula, after their most precious commodity. Their diamonds? No – it's the rain. The word means 'blessings', too, and perhaps that's hardly surprising given the Kalahari covers 70 per cent of this parched country. The Kalahari, though, is not the endless expanse of sand that might first appear in your mind's eye. And, after this year's especially plentiful rains, the desert is blooming, covered in sweet-smelling flowers and head-high grasses that provide plenty of grazing for wildlife and domestic cattle alike. Pula indeed. Botswana reserves 40 per cent of its land for its wildlife. And in a country that's the same size as France (with a population of less than 3 million), well, that's a lot of land. The approach here, though, is not the mass safari tourism you'll find in many places elsewhere on this continent. Here it's high value, low impact. The camps are on a small scale – there are few with capacity for 30 guests, most have between eight and 12. The atmosphere, then, is an intimate one and, once you're in the bush, it really is just you and the animals. You're not going to be in a crowd of 20, 30, or even 40 other vehicles surrounding a cheetah too distracted by clicking cameras to catch her prey. Over the course of a week's drives, I rarely saw another vehicle except in the distance. In Botswana, you could have travelled back in time to an empty Africa that Karen Blixen might have recognised from 100 years ago when she had her farm in Kenya – albeit with guns replaced by camera lenses. The Ker & Downey camps I visited here conjure a certain nostalgia, too. The 'tents' (in practice, huge rooms with an occasional nod in the direction of canvas) offer luxury and comfort – mosquito-netted four posters, Turkish rugs, indoor and outdoor showers, thatched roofs, deep, shady verandas. Early morning tea is brought in a pot covered with a cosy. Dining tables are set with napkins in their holders, classic tableware (Blixen brought her Royal Copenhagen porcelain and crystal with her), fine wines and food. Guests gather around a huge fire, dinners are served at long tables where guests and guides talk over the adventures of the day. The camps are generally unfenced – animals wander through at night and you are always accompanied by a guide after dark. None of the animals wears a tracking device so you follow the signs (footprints, droppings) and the always formidable knowledge of your guide. You are on their territory. Maun is not the capital of Botswana (that's Gabarone) but it is the country's safari capital. It has grown exponentially since I was here 20 years ago, but despite having over 80,000 inhabitants, it's still classed as a village – albeit one with an international airport from which tiny light aircraft or helicopters transport travellers to the camps. After 14 hours in the air flying from London, I felt the need to stop off at Grays Eden, a new colonial-style hotel with a beautiful garden that goes down to the river, and a restaurant featuring what you might call 'bush fine dining' (the kudu carpaccio is a speciality). From Maun, it's 25 minutes in a 12-seater known as a caravan over the vast, empty Botswanan plains to Dinaka Camp's airstrip on the northern edge of the Central Kalahari. I was met by General, my guide for the next couple of days, who ran me through the rhythm of the day: 5.30am wake-up call; 6am breakfast and game drive; 11am brunch; 3.30pm high tea and the second drive with sundowners in the bush around 6pm; 7.30pm dinner. You can vary this with a bush walk (the only time your guide carries a gun) and they always have a night drive on offer. I spent one afternoon with three bushmen who showed me medicinal plants, how to find water in underground tubers and store it in ostrich eggs; which plants can be spun into rope, and which caterpillars can provide the best poison for your arrow tips. With General, I watched young impalas practise their fighting technique, pronking springboks, dozens of iridescent birds, jackal families, oryx, wildebeest, a lone tsessebe (Botswana's swiftest antelope). A pair of lionesses, as pale as the creamy tufts of feathered grasses around them, stalked past our vehicle, a mother teaching her daughter how to hunt. From Dinaka, it's a 'van' (a four-seater light aircraft) followed by a helicopter-for-two to reach the brand new camp of Maxa in the Okavango Delta, one of the only landlocked deltas in the world. Two million years ago, much of Botswana was a lake, but as the earth shifted and rivers were diverted, less water flowed in and the lake disappeared. However, with the rains and the rivers that flow down from Angola, there is still water here all year round and the Okavango experiences Africa's second biggest annual migration (after the Serengeti). From the air, what look like fields of grass turn out to be reeds in shallow water. And sometimes not so shallow water. This didn't stop Shane (guide and co-owner of Maxa) driving through it – though, as the depth changes from day to day, he sometimes gets out, rolls up his trousers and wades through just to check. On my first afternoon, however, he suggested a rather different form of transport. The mokoro used to be a traditional wooden dug-out canoe but is now, in order to conserve trees, made of fibre glass. Nevertheless, the principle is unchanged. In your small, narrow punt, the poler stands behind you as you glide through the parting reeds, past exquisite water lilies and thumbnail-sized frogs clinging on to the reeds where miniscule spiders weave even tinier webs. In the water, fish dart just below the surface watched by kingfishers and herons and, in the branches of tall trees, fish eagles patiently wait. Arriving back on dry land, a table complete with flickering candles and ice buckets awaits for the ultimate sundowner (the sky didn't disappoint, a new moon appearing above a flame-red horizon). Maxa faces a lagoon where hippos spend all day groaning, honking and blowing water like freshwater whales as they rise and fall lazily in their pool. There's a human pool here, too, with lagoon water filtered by reeds, a fire pit and a kind of treehouse with platforms, hammocks and far-reaching views. The next morning, Shane led four of us on a bushwalk through the early mist explaining the skittish zebras and families of reproachful baboons – after more than 20 years without a camp, the animals here aren't used to humans yet. There were signs of elephants but the creatures themselves were elusive – until the next morning. Out on a game drive, we first came across a family of females with their young, about 30 strong. This was thrilling enough but as we moved on, a young bull elephant appeared. He lowered his head, raised his trunk, flapped his ears ('see how big I am – be very afraid') and steadily approached. Two more arrived in a stately, if rather alarming, parade, coming even closer. Shane was relaxed – 'You only need to worry if they stop flapping their ears.' Kanana Camp is even deeper into the delta and teems with wildlife. Within minutes of starting my first drive, I was at a lagoon full of hippos with a couple of crocodiles on the bank. There was a small herd of buffalo, a pair of ostriches, a giraffe with her days-old calf, a family of hyenas, hundreds of impala, and a magnificent lion with a lioness – who looked suitably fearsome until they rolled onto their backs, paws in the air. But the highlight? A lioness, saintly in her patience, as her three cubs (around two months old) pounced on her and each other, rough-and-tumbled, stalked flying insects and sat up to box each other's ears. I could have watched them for hours (in fact, I did). It was an intimate moment and one typical of Botswana. There is a freedom here that Blixen would surely recognise. You drive off road, walk through the bush, sleep on platforms under the stars, fly in aircraft not so very much bigger than Denys Finch Hatton's. There are never any crowds – well, except for the impala. It's just you and the wildlife – you could say Botswana is keeping it real. Or you could say it is simply a blessing. Pula. Essentials Timbuktu Travel offers a seven-night trip (one night at Grays Eden in Maun, three nights at Dinaka Camp in the Kalahari, three nights at Maxa Camp and three nights at Kanana Camp) from £9,600 (or £12,600 for the 10-night version). Fully inclusive with international and domestic flights. For more information on the camps, visit
Hypebeast
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hypebeast
Mercedes-Benz Gifts Custom Electric G-Class to 'League of Legends' Star Uzi
Summary Mercedes-Benzhas honored Chinese esports legend Jian 'Uzi' Zìháo with a one-of-a-kind electricG-Classto celebrate his induction into theLeague of LegendsHall of Legends. As the second-ever inductee, following Korean superstar Faker, Uzi was recognized for his extraordinary career and influence on the global gaming community. Built on the newG 580 with EQ Technologyplatform, Uzi's vehicle was handcrafted through Mercedes' exclusive MANUFAKTUR program. It features a distinctive Kalahari gold magno finish, engraved 'Hall of Legends' interior details and bespoke elements reflecting Uzi's legacy. It is also the first electric G-Class of its kind in China. In addition to the car, Mercedes-Benz collaborated with a design studio to create a custom artwork showing Uzi in his hometown of Shanghai alongside his new G-Class, complete with Easter eggs from his career. This collaboration is part of Mercedes-Benz's ongoing partnership withRiot Games, which includes support for major tournaments like Worlds and MSI, as well as the newly launched Hall of Legends initiative.
