Situated in the north of Saudi Arabia and bordering the Kingdom of Jordan, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve covers an area of 130,700 square kilometres and is the largest natural reserve in the Middle East and the sixth largest globally.
The reserve includes three conservation areas: Al Khanfa, Al Tubaiq and Harrat al Harrah. The unique landscape of the reserve was shaped over thousands of years and boasts diverse landscapes and abundant animal habitats.
It is bordered by Tabuk to the west, Tayma to the southwest, Sakaka and Dumat al Jandal to the east, Hail to the southeast and the Jordanian borders to the north. The size of the reserve means it crosses a number of regions and includes hugely diverse terrains – from picturesque landscapes to bustling cities.
The reserve is located within four administrative regions: Al Jawf region, which makes up 38.7% of its area, Tabuk region (33.6%), Hail region (19.6%) and the Northern Borders region (8.1%).
It boasts a population of more than 365,000 and its main towns include Al Qurayyat and Tabarjal. The vastness of this land means you can explore the heritage of many ancient human civilisations, starting from the ancient times of Aad, Thamud and Midian eras, to the Pre-Islamic and Mid-Islamic eras. Notable sites to visit include the ancient rock carvings in Kilwa and Jubbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As part of its work, the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority has re-homed endangered wildlife species, reintroducing them into their natural habitat. During the past three years, the authority carried out several releases of Arabian oryx, Nubian ibex, Arabian sand gazelle, and the Asian houbara in the Harrat al Harrah, Al Tubaiq and Al Khanfa areas of the reserve.
UNIQUE LANDSCAPES
You can discover the true beauty of the King Salman Reserve Bin Abdulaziz Royal by visiting these remarkable areas:
Jabal Al Taweel
Located 100km to the west of Dumat al Jandal city, the Jabal al Taweel mountain range boasts peaks of up to 1,000m. Part of this remarkable area includes the Jurf Taweel plateau which consists of several mountains made of early Devonian sandstone. At the end of the eastern side of the mountain range, you will find Jabal Raf, its four or five peaks surrounded in the east, west and south by the sands of the Al Nufud Desert.
Jibal al Misma
Formerly known as Jibal al Mahjar, this mountain range is situated 180km west of the city of Hail and extends from Jabal al Arqoub in the south to An Nufud al Kabir in the north. It includes unique rock formations, towering rock monoliths and low mountains which, after rainfall, are covered in a blanket of white herbaceous tulips. Archaeological inscriptions of the mountains date back to the Arab and Nabataean eras and are famed for their primitive animal drawings.
Jibal Aja
In areas of the Tuwayq escarpment, where the sediment is soft and crumbly, marine fossils of molluscs, rudists, bivalves, crinoids, oysters, gastropods and foraminifera (one-cell organisms) can be found on the ground or embedded in wadi walls. They represent marine species that inhabited shallow waters when the sea level was much higher.
Al Tubaiq
Covering an area of 12,105 square kilometres, this rugged reserve in the northwest of Saudi Arabia borders Jordan to the north. The 1,388m high Al Tubaiq Mountains run along its western side and it is home to the ibex, one of the country’s most important indigenous animals. It is also inhabited by small numbers of Reem antelopes, Arabian wolves, foxes and hares.
Al Khanfah
Covering 19,339 square kilometres, this vast wildlife sanctuary sits on the western edge of the Al Nufud al Kabir desert, north of the city of Tayma. Its diverse topography includes rocky terrains, plateaus, valleys, greenery and mountains with peaks up to 1,140m. Acacia trees, arta (Calligonum comosum) and white saxaul trees (Haloxylon persicum) grow in the reserve, and small numbers of edmi gazelles, wild hares and Euphrates jerboas roam its lands. The reserve also features indigenous birds such as the houbara, and migratory birds such as the curlew, and reptiles are a common sight.
Harrat al Harrah
Located north-west along the Saudi-Jordanian border, this undulating 13,775 square kilometre volcanic plateau extends east of Wadi Sarhan. The terrain is covered in black basalt rocks and is dotted with several low volcanic mountains. It is characterised by clusters of trees such as Tamarisk, white saxaul trees (Haloxylon persicum), Arabian boxthorn (Lycium shawi) and Athel Pine (Tamarix aphylla). Animals including the Al Reem gazelle, Arabian Wolf, red fox, sand fox, striped hyena, wild hare, Euphrates jerboa, houbara, golden eagle and curlew grace its gnarled terrain. To help develop the diversity of the area’s flora, more than 600,000 seedlings were planted in the reserve last year.
A WEALTH OF WILDLIFE
Boasting more than 339 species of wildlife, including mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, the reserve is also home to globally endangered species. The Egyptian vulture inhabits the northern and western areas of the reserve, and the Nubian vulture the north and northwest. The threatened Asian houbara, the golden eagle and migratory lanner falcon swoop along its plains and its winter visitor, while the sociable lapwing can be found flitting all across the reserve. Other important species of desert birds that can be found here include the Pharaoh eagle-owl and curlew. It is also home to threatened animal species including the Arabian oryx, the Nubian ibex and the Arabian sand gazelle, in addition to the more common, but no less remarkable, Arabian wolf, striped hyena, lynx, sand cat, Egyptian fruit bat, desert hedgehog, hare, Egyptian lizard and rock lizard.
Arabian Wolf
Canis Lupus Arabs
The Tuwayq escarpment is one of the places you will find fossil corals, foraminifera and stromatoporoids (sponges) that look surprisingly similar to species that live in the oceans today. Millions of years ago, they formed
Asian Houbara
Chlamydotis Macqueenii
endangered locally, these birds are decreasing at a concerning rate across the Kingdom due to hunting. Classified as a breeding resident, this beautiful bird is a winter visitor in the reserve, feeding on grains, plants, insects and worms. Nesting on open ground, their nests are a shallow hole that is often close to short bushes.
Arabian Toad
Sclerophrys Arabica
This amphibian spends the first stages of its life immersed in water and can be found in rainy areas, valleys, seasonal water pools, behind dams and in agricultural areas. Once fully grown it can breathe air and has been recorded in areas with scarce rainfall, nestling in the mud for long periods during dry periods. This ability to withstand drought conditions makes the Arabian toad highly suited to desert life.
Egyptian Lizard
Euromastyx Aaegyptia
The Egyptian lizard is the largest species of lizard in the Kingdom. Found on plains and in valleys, they spend the daytime resting near their burrows and exposing themselves to the sun to enjoy the warmth and light. They feed on plants and are characterised by spiny scales, a distinctive tail that it uses to defend itself, and strong claws that help it to dig burrows.
CONSERVATION IN ACTION
King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve is working to reintroduce animals on The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Endangered Species that are endemic to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It has embarked on major projects to bring back the majestic Al Reem azelle and the Arabian oryx to their original habitat.
Al Reem Gazelle
Gazella marica
Elegant and strong, the Al Reem Gazelle has light, sandy colour fur, a white belly and distinctive brown lines on its face that extend from its eyes to its mouth. The male is easily identified by its long, lyre-shaped horns. They feed exclusively on plants and are active in the early mornings and evenings to avoid the extreme heat. Listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List, these gazelles have been reintroduced to the sandy areas of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve. The reserve developed an initiative to reintroduce the gazelles, alongside other dedicated monitoring and conservation programmes for the many mammal species within the area.
Arabian Oryx
Oryx leucoryx
With a strong build and long straight horns, the Arabian oryx is characterised by its white fur and the distinctive black patterns on its face. Like the Al Reem gazelles, they live in the sandy areas of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve. To avoid the extreme heat, they are active in the early mornings and evenings searching for food. The reserve has dedicated special initiatives to reintroduce them to different areas and this has helped change its status on the IUCN Red List from ‘extinct in the wild’ to ‘vulnerable’.
FLOURISHING VEGETATION
Preserving the rich variety of vegetation is paramount to maintaining ecological equilibrium within the King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Royal Reserve, which diligently safeguards its extensive array of 260 plant species. Dominated by annual herbaceous plants, perennial plants, shrubs, a limited variety of trees and a noteworthy collection of 91 medicinal and aromatic plant species, the reserve boasts an impressive botanical landscape. Prominent among these are Arabian boxthorn (Lycium shawi), wormwood (Artemisia monosperma), white saxaul (Haloxylon persicum) and heart leaf ice plants (Mesembryanthemum).
This remarkable diversity of plant life is uniquely adapted to the challenging desert climate, thriving in various habitats such as Al Nufud, Al Hammad, Al Jabal and Harrat al Harrah, these plants contribute to the reserve's flourishing ecosystem.
Shrubs
Shrubs thrive in the reserve including wormwood (Artemisia sieberi), desert golden daisy (pulicaria undulata), lavender cotton (Achillea fragrantissima), Judean wormwood (Artemisia judaica), arta (Calligonum comosum), white saxaul (Haloxylon persicum) and others. The fragrant camel thorn tree also thrives. Green in colour, it has large branches ending in yellow spherical flowers. It is also known for its medicinal properties, and is widely used for gastrointestinal issues and reducing fever.
Herbs And Fungi
Both perennial and annual herbs and fungi are found across the reserve. Plants like the common ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum) flourish in the Al Jawf region. This perennial succulent has leaves that resemble fingers and creamy white flowers which are used by locals to make the Bakliya and aseeda sweets by mixing their seeds with dates. Among the many fungi in the reserve, the most important are the desert truffles (Tirmania nivea and Terfezia fungi claveryi). They grow after the rainfall under the surface of the soil, nourished by the roots of nearby plants and shrubs. As they grow, they crack the soil, and can weigh from 30g to as much as 300g. With a high nutritional value, they are a popular delicacy eaten at social events, especially when people gather over the period in which they are harvested.
Medicinal Plants
King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve is home to many medicinal plants, approximately 91 of which can be used in traditional remedies. The rose of Jericho (Anastatica hierochuntica) has branches that wrap like closed fingers with small white flowers. Found across gravel terrain, they are used as a laxative in traditional medicine and can bring on labour in pregnant women. Haloxylon salicornicum, a highly branched shrub of the marigold family, has tubular leaves and flowers ranging in colour from white to purple. An excellent source of firewood, it is also used in traditional medicine to treat stomach pain. The large red thorn tree (Vachellia gerrardii) reaches up to 10 meters in height and has a dark brown trunk with yellowish creamy flowers and long curved pods. It is used in traditional medicine to treat burns, toothaches and to reduce fever.
STONE STRUCTURES IN WADI SARHAN AND HARRAT AL HARRAH
The huge stone structures in Wadi Sarhan areas such as Al Qa’aidat, Juffairat, Samra al Washwash and in Harrat al Harrah, include caves, hidden tombs and stone circles of different shapes that were used for different purposes. Some were used for hunting, others for burials, and some for agriculture including animal grazing.
Al Qarqar Historical Village
The historical village of Qarqar is located southeast of Kaf Heritage District and about 35km from the city of Al Qurayyat, in an area known for deep valleys and volcanic mountains. The village is famous for the first occurrence of the term ‘Arabs’, after the famous battle of Qarqar in 853 BC, where King Jandab al Arabi fought the Assyrian emperor. The King fought with 2,000 warriors on 1,000 camels, in an alliance of the Aramaic kingdoms and states of Syria.
Tuwarin Village (House of Hatim al-Tai House)
Named after a valley in the region that runs from the middle of the Aja mountain range up to the northern deserts of the Kingdom, Tuwarin is the site of a very important landmark in the Hail region. The village is home to one of the heritage houses known as the houses of Hatim al-Tai, an Arab poet known for his generosity. The site is surrounded by mountains on three sides, with Wadi Tuwarin flanking its western side.
Kilwa Monuments
One of the most important and oldest sites in the Al Hima area in the northwest of the Kingdom, the archaeological sites of Kilwa contain many monuments belonging to different eras of settlers. Located at the end of Al Tubaiq mountain range, the site has evidence of civilisations from pre-history to the Bronze and Iron ages and the emergence of the major ancient Arab kingdoms. Kilwa is also renowned for its Christian monuments, places of worship and monasteries built prior to the Islamic era.
Al Imara Palace in Haditha
Built during the era of the late King Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman, Al Imara Palace is one of the most significant cultural monuments in the northern region and represents the stabilisation of the third Saudi state. Located on the eastern side of the village of Haditha, this area has become one of the cultural centres of the Al Jawf region and has expanded to areas beyond the palace.
EXPERIENCES AND ACTIVITIES
King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve encourages sustainable agriculture, supports the development of hotels and hostels within the area and promotes local handicrafts to tourists.
Sustainable Agriculture
Located between Al Tubaiq and Harrat al Harrah in the Tabarjal area is Basita. The area is known as the breadbasket of Saudi Arabia due to the variety of crops grown here including grains, pulses, vegetables and fruits. Palm trees have also been planted in this area and approximately 67% of the Kingdom’s olive oil is produced here. Numerous leading dairy, poultry and animal product companies are operating in this region, including Al Rajhi, Nadec, Al-Jouf Agricultural Development Co., Al Mukairish, Almarai and Al Watania.
Handicrafts
The daily lives of communities can be understood by learning about the handicrafts distinctive to a region. Across the reserve, these local crafts include carpet making and have made the reserve an important cultural and heritage attraction for locals and tourists alike. The reserve encourages the establishment of small and medium enterprises including restaurants that introduce tourists to delicious, traditional Saudi Arabian food.
Tourism and Hospitality
King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve is working towards developing tourism that integrates with its surroundings and enriches its cultural identity. This drive to become an ecotourism destination ensures that its natural and cultural highlights are supporting the economic and social sustainable development that is part of the Kingdom’s vision. The safeguarded areas of the reserve include over 150 hotels that cater to all tastes and range from 1 to 5 stars.
For those looking to explore a myriad of landscapes and admire remarkable geographical phenomenon including volcanic craters, rolling sand dunes, low valleys and lofty mountains, this can all be done in this richly diverse and remarkably beautiful reserve.
