Saudi Arabia Desert & Its Great Dunes

 The most prominent feature of the Arabian Peninsula is the desert. Saudi Arabia is the largest country as more than half the area of Saudi Arabia is desert. Bordered by the Syrian Desert in the south, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman in the east, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden in the south, and the Red Sea in the west. A major part of the Arabian Desert lies within the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The kingdom is landlocked by a range of breathtaking high dunes and long sand valleys, which are readily accessible to visitors to enjoy a unique blend of serenity and thrill.

 

Arabian Desert Facts

There are many facts about the Arabian desert that are of great interest.

1. The Arabian Desert is extensive in Western Asia as it occupies almost the entire Arabian Peninsula.

2. It is the fourth largest desert in the world and the largest in Asia.

3. The total area covered by the Arabian Desert is 2,330,000 square kilometers (900,000 square miles).

4. The highest elevation of the desert is 3760 meters above sea level which is located in the southwestern corner of Yemen.

5. The most active form of wildlife found in the Arabian Deserts is insects.

Famous Saudi Arabia Desert

Here are some of the different deserts found in Saudi Arabia.

1. Rub Al Khali 

Also known as the Empty Quarter, Rub Al Khali is a huge desert covering an area of 650,000 square kilometers. It is loved by adventurous travelers for its softly rolling dunes rising from the ground with its highest dunes reaching 250 meters.

This desert is part of the southern third of the Arabian Desert, including parts of Saudi Arabia; mainly the Eastern Province along with Najran and Riyadh Provinces, United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen. It is famous among travelers for activities like Dune bashing, camping, and quad biking.

2. Al Nufud Al Kabir 

Al Nufud Al Kabir is also known by the name The Great Nufud Desert. This Saudi Arabia desert is true to its name as it is the largest and most well-known dune field in Saudi towering over 700-1000 meters. The dessert is spread over an area of 10,3600 square kilometers in the provinces of Hail, Al Jouf, and Tabuk. Part of Al Nufud Al Kabir dunes rises out of the fossilized forest tributaries that offer panoramic views of the geological formations. The fossils of giant prehistoric elephants and birds of prey, dating back to 7,000 years have been discovered in the Great Nufud desert. It is an ideal place for camping and picnics.

3. Al Araqana Desert

Al Araqana Desert is located east of Tabuk, on the Medina-Tabuk Road.  It features an ocean of large rusty golden-red dunes that flow over miles. Qaryat, an ancient prehistoric village rich in the ancient history of the region is a place not to be missed by tourists. They can also enjoy dune bashing, camping, star gazing, and fossil hunting in this dessert.

4. Jubbah Desert

The Jubbah desert is home to one of the famous rock art sites in Saudi Arabia dating back to the Paleolithic period. Despite being set against the harsh sand dunes of the Al Nufud Desert, the Jubbah town in Hail is fertile for agriculture Tourists can enjoy camping, star gazing, and hiking to see rock art in the Jubbah dessert.

5. Ad-Dahna Desert

Ad-Dahna Desert is located 80 km east of Riyadh. Also known as the Small Al Nufud Desert, it is a sandy bridge between the great Al Nufud desert and the Empty Quarter. Ad- Dahna Desert covers an area of 45,000 square kilometers and spreads horizontally like veins. 

Although the Saudi Arabia desert has been explored to an extent, still a major part still remains virgin and unexplored. The timeless beauty of the desert, the continuously changing shapes of the dunes that are combed by desert winds, and the adventures in driving through the soft sands are a few of the moments that a desert traveler can never forget.