Geoglyph - Vanzylsrus Hotel

VULTURE GEOGLYPH

Van Zylsrus hosts Africa’s largest man-made geoglyph… a spectacular vulture sculpted from local limestone rocks. It is visible from space, and officially registered as a global landmark on Google Earth.

GIANT ROCK VULTURE

Created with over 40,000 white limestone rocks, the giant vulture stretches 312 metres from wingtip to wingtip and 114 metres from head to talons. Three huge manganese boulders mark the vulture’s eyes and talons.

The massive geoglyph was created to raise awareness for the Kalahari’s critically endangered White-backed and Lapet-faced vultures.

VANISHING VULTURES

Vultures are the Kalahari’s clean-up crew. By rapidly consuming animal carcasses, they safely neutralize dangerous pathogens, stopping the spread of diseases like anthrax, botulism, and rabies.

Several human-driven threats are pushing the vultures to the brink of extinction, mainly poisoning.

VANISHING VULTURES

Vultures are the Kalahari’s clean-up crew. By rapidly consuming animal carcasses, they safely neutralize dangerous pathogens, stopping the spread of diseases like anthrax, botulism, and rabies.

Several human-driven threats are pushing the vultures to the brink of extinction, mainly poisoning.

BUILT BY HAND

Created by land-artists Anni Snyman, PC Janse van Rensburg , the geoglyph wasn’t built by heavy machinery. It was built by hand.

The rocks were meticulously laid over several months by local community workers, residents, and volunteers working alongside the artists.

This massive collaborative effort was driven entirely by a shared passion for vulture conservation.

IMMERSIVE WALK

Walking the 3.5-kilometer geoglyph offers a deeply contemplative journey. Because the path is unbroken and loops back to where you started, it is a true walking meditation. You finish the route exactly where you began, grounded by the quiet serenity of the Kalahari.

Looking up, you may spot white-backed vultures soaring on thermal currents high above you.

IMMERSIVE WALK

Walking the 3.5-kilometer geoglyph offers a deeply contemplative journey. Because the path is unbroken and loops back to where you started, it is a true walking meditation. You finish the route exactly where you began, grounded by the quiet serenity of the Kalahari.

Looking up, you may spot white-backed vultures soaring on thermal currents high above you.

PICNIC BENEATH A CAMELTHORN TREE

Enhance your trek along the geoglyph with our gourmet picnic experiences. Choose from a delightful alfresco breakfast or lunch picnic. Both picnics are thoughtfully prepared with local flavours.

Enjoying your meal beneath the shade of a beautiful camelthorn tree allows you to savour the quiet majesty of the Kalahari – and its magnificent vultures – at your own perfect pace.