08
Jufrat Ibn Midhwid Dunes
104km
24km
Driving BEGINNER TO ADVANCED
Best for EASY-ACCESS DESERT DRIVING
Recommended for PAIRING WITH A VISIT TO NOFA RESORTS
This pristine part of the desert is perfect both for dune bashing by day and finding a tranquil camping spot for sundown and beyond. Once you’ve tired of making tracks in the soft, shifting sands, head over to the nearby Nofa Resorts for a safari experience taking in indigenous and exotic animals.
EASY ACCESS
The entry point off the road leading to Bisha (Highway 30) is an easy-to-follow graded track – a mixture of gravel or sand, evenly paved in parts – which meanders alongside small farms. You may notice fences along the way, but there are a number of access points where it’s possible to head into the soft, ochre-coloured dunes. Once in, you can be as adventurous as you like; following an established track, making your own way or simply stopping to capture sunset photos.
KING ABDULAZIZ CAMEL FESTIVAL
The King Abdulaziz Camel Festival is a must-see 44-day event that takes place every winter in Rumah, about 120km east of Riyadh. The event, which celebrates the Kingdom’s camel heritage, features races, auctions, heritage pavilions and the prestigious Mazayen Al Ibl, known around the world as the ‘Miss Camel’ beauty pageant. A fine camel should, according to experts, possess droopy lips, pert ears and a well-rounded hump, although the camels are judged on obedience as well as their long-lashed beauty. With prize money amounting to more than USD 57 million (about SAR 214 million), the festival attracts thousands of visitors, breeders and the world’s finest Camelus dromedarius – the one-humped Arabian camel. Some of the highly prized breeds on show include yellow Shual, white Waddah and Soffor, which are yellow with dark humps. Other colour categories include Majaheem, which have a black coat; Sheqah (reddish white camels), and Homor (red camels with white front legs).
Nofa Resorts
You can stop at the nearby Nofa Resorts to visit a wildlife park and see the animals from an open-topped safari vehicle. There are about 700 creatures to see, including the Arabian oryx, zebras, cheetahs, hippos, ostriches and the ever-popular giraffes, which lope by with long-legged elegance. Make a weekend of it and stay at the adjacent Nofa Resort Riyadh, A Radisson Collection Hotel, which is an African-themed retreat with 57 luxurious bungalows and villas overlooking the park.
Falcon International Camp
For a memorable experience, make sure to stop at the Falcon International Camp located near the route. Visitors can enjoy a falconry show, horse riding, archery and traditional Arabic food, among many other activities. An overnight stay at the camp is also a welcome option after a long day of driving and exploration – especially since you can book a tent inclusive of a shower and bed. Just remember to book ahead.
Jufrat Ibn Midhwid Dunes
dune after dune with views that beg to be the backdrop for campfire conversations. There’s a particularly lovely section near the rusting remains of an old car, half buried in the sand – a gentle reminder of how easily things can go awry. As with any trip to the desert, it’s advisable to travel with at least two cars and ensure you’re fully equipped for all conditions in case the vehicle (or weather) refuses to cooperate.
DRIVING DIRECTION
This route includes a mixture of paved roads, sandy tracks that cut across the desert farmland and areas of untracked desert dunes.
1 Take Exit 857, cross the bridge and go straight for Nofa Resorts, or take the service road towards Makkah.
2 Take a left from the service road, drive 1.2km and turn right just before the Nofa main gate. From the roundabout, take the second exit and continue straight along the Nofa Reorts wall. Follow the paved road (12.5km).
3 Take a right just after the abandoned crop field to explore the dunes. Go straight between the fence and farms.
4 Take a left for Riyadh, or cross the road to continue on to Al Karrarah Lake (Route 9).
