NATURE & OUTDOORS
Reasons to have a safari in Sharaan Nature Reserve
Sharaan Nature Reserve is a safari like no other. Whilst you will encounter desert animals and enjoy a diverse ecosystem, your visit will also support AlUla’s extensive conservation effort.
Words by Demi Perera
1
2
The walking trails within the reserve include the Acacia Trail that will immerse you in the natural wonders of the desert. A day hike along the trail (running with moring tour from 07:00-11:00 or sunset tour 17:30 to 21:00) with a guide will introduce endemic plants and flowers which are once again thriving in the desert thanks to the immense rewilding efforts that have been undertaken.
The Hidden Valley night hike on soft sand under the moonlight, combined with overnight camping (outside the reserve itself), will not only immerse you in nature but also introduce visitors to stargazing and the ethereal night sky of AlUla. Similarly, the Acacia trail can also be hiked at night with the help of a guide. Much like storytelling, stargazing is part of the natural rhythm of life in the desert. Set off on a night hike with a professional stargazer to enhance your desert experience and learn how stars align and move across the sky and can help our understanding of life on Earth.
3
The colossal effort to restore this nature reserve has launched a long-term and highly ambitious rewilding project. The remarkable progress of the project over the years has seen the reintroduction of its native flora and fauna to Sharaan Nature Reserve. The Acacia trees, which are indigenous to the terrain, are providing shade for flowering desert grass, thickets and the herbal plant of Pulicaria Incisa.
However, the reserve’s ultimate triumph has been its protection of the critically endangered Arabian leopard. With fewer than 200 left in the wild, the Royal Commission for AlUla created the Arabian Leopard Program and the Arabian Leopard Fund. Both organisations work towards the re-introduction of the Arabian leopard to AlUla. This conservation effort has witnessed the birth of four new Arabian leopard cubs in the breeding center in Taif since 2021 and their progress in captivity is seen as a vital first step in reintroducing the species back to its natural habitat in AlUla. The Royal Commission for AlUla’s Wildlife and Natural Heritage team continues to work towards restoring Sharaan and five other nature reserves to rebalance the environment and provide food for herbivores which will provide food for the Arabian leopard.
4
5
Humans that came before us left their stories behind in what’s widely considered an open-air library in AlUla. Their stories are as remarkable as we might expect of successive civilisations. The tales of all the people that passed through this metropolis, over several millions of years, are told in pictures that were carved onto the rocks of AlUla. There are records of over 10 pre-Arabic languages inscribed around AlUla’s desert. The rock art, in addition, depicts life around the fertile oasis and details daily life. Be sure to spot the rock art on your visit to AlUla. From the intriguing caravan of camels to folklore and images of deities that were worshipped, art played an important role in communication over time. The depictions provide some understanding of the way the landscape, animals and people connected to live and move across the region.
The basic Sharaan Reserve Safari Tour is run by Pangaea Adventure Club on behalf of Experience AlUla. The tour lasts approximately 3.5 hours and is suitable for those 8 years old and above. A waiver is required to attend the experience and it costs 402 SAR each. Your mode of transport is an open top vintage 4×4.
The Sharaan Reserve VIP Safari Tour takes you in an air conditioned 4×4 jeep and lasts 4 hours. There are some extra stops along the way and it costs 1900 SAR plus 15% VAT per person according to the website.
Practical information
Visas
It’s surprisingly simple and easy to get an e-Visa for Saudi and the process is very similar to applying for an ESTA for the USA. Over 50 nationalities are eligible to apply for an e-Visa, including people from the UK and USA, with it costing (at the time of writing) 535 Saudi riyals (about £115 or US$143). Applications are swift and nearly all applicants will receive a response within three working days – most within 24 hours. To apply for your Saudi e-Visa, visit the official Saudi Tourism Authority website. If you’re from the USA, UK or the Schengen Area, you can also apply for a visa on arrival into Saudi. It’s slightly cheaper than an e-Visa, too, at SAR480 (about £102 or US$128).
Getting there & around
It’s really easy to reach AlUla from both the UK and USA. You have a couple of different options. You can take a direct domestic flight from Riyadh (two hours) or Jeddah (one hour and 30 minutes) or, if you’d like to see a little more of the country, you can hire a car and embark on the 7.5-hour drive from Jeddah. A hire car is the best way of exploring AlUla when you’re there, too. It’s simple to get to Saudi from both the UK and USA, too. Saudi’s national airline SAUDIA flies to Riyadh three times daily from London Heathrow, while British Airways also offers a regular service from Heathrow with daily flights to the capital. SAUDIA also operates twice daily flights to Jeddah from London Heathrow and daily flights from London Gatwick. If you’re travelling from the US, SAUDIA offers direct flights to Riyadh from both New York City and Washington, D.C., as well as direct flights to Jeddah from New York City, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles.
Local customs
To really embrace Saudi life and pay respect towards its traditions, there are a few local customs you should abide when travelling around the country. Both men and women should wear clothing that covers their elbows and below their knees when out in public. If you’re heading to the coast, it’s still expected you dress modestly. When meeting and greeting locals, whether it’s a market stallholder or a private guide, say hello with ‘salam alaykum’, which means ‘peace be upon you’, as well as offering a handshake.
Weather
You might think it’s hot all year round in Saudi but it’s a little more nuanced than that. The best time to visit the country is between October and March, when temperatures can dip as low as 20°C during the daytime, depending on where in the country you are, and rarely exceed 30°C. The summer months between June and September can get extremely hot, with temperatures often north of 40°C. But, do as the locals do and head out after dusk when it’s much cooler!
Is English spoken in Saudi?
Arabic is the official national language but English is widely spoken.
What is the currency of Saudi?
The currency of Saudi is the riyal, with the current rate (at the time of writing), around SAR4.76 to the UK£. You’ll need to pre-order money before you travel, as in the UK it’s not usually stocked in currency exchange booths.
What’s it like travelling in Saudi as a female?
We think you’d be surprised! To find out more, read our first-hand account on what it’s like to travel in Saudi.
What’s the time difference in Saudi?
Saudi follows Arabia Standard Time (GMT +3) all year round.
