A fleet of eight semi trucks loaded with massive, handcrafted animal sculptures is beginning its journey from Eureka Springs, kicking off Kalahari Resorts & Conventions’ “Safari Migration,” a multi-state road tour celebrating the company’s newest resort opening later this year in Virginia.
While the tour is designed to build buzz across several states, it all starts in Arkansas on Tuesday, April 14, where the larger-than-life animal figures were created inside a fabrication studio in Eureka Springs. From there, the towering sculptures begin their trek east, making stops along the way before arriving in Spotsylvania, Virginia.
At each stop, families and fans will have the chance to see the sculptures up close, snap photos and learn more about what’s coming to Kalahari’s newest destination. The traveling exhibit will culminate on April 17, when the full caravan reaches Virginia, and the sculptures are lifted by crane and installed on the resort’s exterior, offering a dramatic preview ahead of its official opening on Nov. 12, 2026.
“This tour is all about building excitement in a big, bold way – just like the Kalahari experience itself,” said Brian Shanle, general manager of Kalahari Resorts & Conventions – Spotsylvania. “We’re bringing a preview of the adventure directly to families across the region and inviting them to be part of the journey as we make our way to Virginia.”
The upcoming resort will feature a massive indoor waterpark, a seasonal outdoor waterpark, a convention center, more than 900 guest rooms and a variety of dining and entertainment options.
Fans can also follow the journey in real time and enter a sweepstakes for a future getaway through Kalahari’s online tracker.
For Arkansas, though, the spotlight moment is right at the start, where a set of eye-catching sculptures, built in the Ozarks, begin a cross-country trip that will soon become part of a major new resort experience.
READ ALSO: Chicago Flamin Grill to Bring Windy City Classics to Conway
