Kaleidoscope Desert

This week I will report on my visit to the Kaleidoscope Desert, an “animal and human sanctuary” located near Palm Springs, California. However, before I get to that, I present the usual weekly logic puzzle.

Logic Puzzle

Create two squares (in addition to the one already seen below), isolating all nine circles in the image below? By “isolating” I mean no two or more circles may be located in the same region.

Kaleidoscope Desert

February 10-13, 2026, I paid a visit to the Kaleidoscope Desert animal/human sanctuary. Previously, I knew almost nothing about it and went with a friend who had been before and highly recommended it.

Most guests probably experience the Kaleidoscope Desert on one of the following options.

1. 90-minute tour ($65)
2. One-hour sound experience ($65)
3. Day pass ($165)

 

I booked one of a few Airbnb units located on the property. In particular, an Airstream trailer titled the “Silver Shimer.” The cost averaged $255 per night. Be advised these units are somehow hidden on the Airbnb website and must be arranged directly through the Kaleidoscope Desert. My stay didn’t appear on my list of Airbnb stays but the charge was described to Airbnb. To be honest, I still am not sure if Airbnb had anything to do with it or if “Airbnb” has become one of those words like “Kleenex” or “Jacuzzi” where a brand name has become a general term for the product or service it sells.

If you do book an overnight stay, be sure to read the Emails they will send you. They will explain how to find Kaleidoscope Desert, the gate code and how to find your rental unit once you arrive. There are no maps on site and the rental units are not labeled. Do not assume someone will be at a front desk to help you out. Chances are nobody on staff will anywhere to be found and you’ll have to get situated on your own.

Regardless of how you experience the sanctuary, let me describe what to expect. The compound is several acres with many animals walking freely about. Those animals with free reign at the time of my stay included many dogs, many emus, an ostrich, a zebra, a few burros, and at least one tortoise. Inside a fenced area within the compound are many goats, a few pigs, lots of chickens and a turkey. Yet another pen contains a few peacocks. I am sure I am forgetting some other animals as well. Access to the area with the goats and pigs is controlled and seems to be open during tours only.

Aside from the animals, there are lots of sculptures and what they call art all over the place. Said art is often something like a broken rocking chair or piano. There is a small store that sells drinks and swag, apparently on the honor system. The largest building is used for sound baths, which I believe is the correct term for a place where people lay on rugs and listen to gongs playing on an automated system. The tour will include a short 5-minute demonstration of the sound bath. It seems one must pay $65 for “sound experience” to enjoy it for an hour.

There was a body of water that was a cross between a swimming pool and a pond. Solar mats heated it to about 80 degrees, which was not warm enough to get in during my February visit. Nor did I see anyone elseusing it. There was a large hot tub which was out of order at the time of my visit. I was told a plumber was “working on it.” Both of these options had “clothing optional” signs. The only outdoor water experience I enjoyed were two bathtubs. The hot water tank was big enough only to fill it about 1/3 of the way with hot water. There was no topping it off with more hot water as once it was out of hot water it took a while to heat up more.

If one got hungry you were on your own. The nearest town is Morongo Valley, which is nine miles away. Joshua Tree and 29 Palms are 18 and 30 miles away respectively. The bottom line is to bring your own food or go out to town if you’re staying overnight. My trailer had a small refrigerator and plug-in electric stove. You could find me eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and drinking beer for my nourishment.

The type of person who is likely to enjoy the Kaleidoscope Desert is one who loves animals and/or is looking for a very quiet getaway. The type of person who won’t enjoy it is one who expects a lot of luxury, pampering and fine dining. The two friends I know who have been there, one of whom I traveled with this trip, both enjoy it immensely and might live there if they could.

For more information, please visit the Kaleidoscope Desert website at kaleidoscopeprojects.com. Finally, here are some pictures from my visit.

Here I am offering to pet the zebra. He was very rambunctious as evidenced by him biting my jacket and biting the back of my friend, which caused a small bruise. We voiced our concern about the incident to a staff member, who said it was mating season and he was frustrated. She said the vet would probably need to be called to have his nuts removed, which I absolutely think is called for in his case.

Logic Puzzle Answer