A new 200,00sq ft (18,500sq m) indoor/outdoor waterpark is the largest on the US east coast, following the opening of the US$350m (€316m, £224m) Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Tobyhanna Township in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains.

Already home to the Great Wolf Lodge in Scotrun, H2Oooohh! at Split Rock Resort in Lake Harmony and the two-month old Camelback Lodge & Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark in Tannersville, the Pocono area is rich in waterparks, with the African-themed Kalahari aiming to compete in what is starting to become a crowded market.

The 100,000sq ft (9,290sq m) indoor waterpark is a year-round option – including a retractable roof for the summer months – as well as a FlowRider surf experience. Kalahari has an exclusive Swahili Swirl, Anaconda slide, spa pools, lazy river, basketball pool, Rippling Rhino tube slide, Splashdown Safari and toddler’s play area. The outdoor area of the same size is comprised of an outdoor pool, large sundeck, indoor/outdoor whirlpools and a swim-up bar.

In its phase one debut, the wider resort features 457 bedrooms, a 100,000sq ft (9,290sq m) convention centre, 30,000sq ft (2,787sq m) family entertainment centre, three full-service restaurants, a spa and salon, and 6,000sq ft (557 sq m) of retail space.

The second phase of development, which just broke ground and is due for completion in 2017, will see the waterpark further expanded, while hotel rooms will be increased to 1,000.