This Campaign Helps You Get Kalahari’d Away

Kalahari Resorts and Waterparks is taking a bold leap into storytelling with its 'Get Kalahari’d Away' campaign - a series that explores vacation 'alter egos' through fast-paced, character-driven humour.

A Vacation Transformation Story

'Get Kalahari’d Away' taps into one counter-intuitive truth: sometimes family vacation can be a drag. Separation from friends, disrupted routines, conflicting priorities, the stress of group travel can turn a getaway into a low-grade torture. But the Kalahari experience flips that script - transforming even the mopiest of vacationers into enthusiasts.

The campaign unfolds in five films, each pivoting around a character’s transformation. In 'King of Kalahari,' an introverted boy, usually glued to his iPad, discovers a spark that draws him into the resort’s lively mix, where he quickly earns a celebrity-like status. 'Kalahari Bob' follows a down-on-his-luck dad who admits he’s 'not good at vacation' - only to be swept up by the resort’s contagious energy and find a lighter side of himself.

'Kalahari Convert' shows a sceptical teen who would rather be on vacation without her loved ones, reconnects with her family and emerges as the resorts biggest advocate, all without losing her edge.

The last two films spotlight Kalahari’s buzzing arcade, Tom Foolery’s - one introducing a young girl dubbed 'The Mayor of Foolery' for her easy rapport with the arcade crew, and another following Larry, a kid famous for competitive failures who unexpectedly hits a lucky streak.

Crafting the Experience

Shot in both English and Spanish, these films highlight Kalahari’s commitment to inclusivity and fun. The creative spark came from long time agency partner Morning Walk, with production managed by Dreamboat Pictures, directed by comedy dialogue specialists The Norman Brothers.

Peter Williams, executive producer, summed up the project’s spirit, “We’re lucky enough to have a long and trusting relationship with Morning Walk. Early involvement allowed real dialogue about scripts and scope - this early buy-in was key to our success.”

Director KC Norman added, “We loved the scripts from the start. We knew casting was crucial to making these stories come alive.”

Rolling Out the Fun

'Get Kalahari’d Away' will roll out over the coming months, with spots tailored to the rhythms of vacation life - across digital, social, streaming audio, and TV. 'King of Kalahari' debuted in May, setting the stage for a campaign as refreshing as a float around the lazy river. .

Director Kipp Norman summed it up best, “Character-driven comedy is what we love to do most. Telling these stories was as much fun as we’ve had on set in a long time.”

By mixing humour with a real look at the ups and downs of family travel, Kalahari Resorts isn’t just promising a vacation—they’re promising a transformation. So next time you dread the stress of a family getaway, remember: at Kalahari, you’re not just taking time off - you’re getting Kalahari’d away.