‘Uruq Bani Ma’arid, Saudi Arabia

The area features some of the most extensive and complex sand dunes on Earth. A total of thirty-five longitudinal dunes extend for two to three hundred kilometres in length and up to five kilometres in width, and rise to a height of up to one hundred and fifty metres.

The varied topography of ‘Uruq Bani Ma’arid creates a wide range of ecosystems with a variety of wildlife habitats, making it an ecological refuge that supports endangered species, and harbours greater biological diversity than any other part of the Rub' al-Khali.

The animal populations which are found in ‘Uruq Bani Ma’arid are completely free ranging. Ingenious adaptations to the hostile environment by both animal and plant species can be observed. 

The site is home to a wide range of bird species, including houbara bustards, larks, sandgrouse, Egyptian vultures and endangered eagles.

Recognised as an Important Plant Area, ‘Uruq Bani Ma’arid contains the highest known plant diversity in Rub’ al-Khali. More than 120 native species can be found in the surrounding mountains and in channels and ravines known as wadis, which are dry except for in the rainy season.

The property received additional global recognition in 2025, when it was added to the IUCN Green List, for its exceptional ecological value and exemplary conservation practices.

The National Centre for Wildlife (NCW) of Saudi Arabia is the national authority in charge of managing and supervising ‘Uruq Bani Ma’arid, along with the rest of the Kingdom’s protected areas.

One of the main objectives of the NCW’s long term environmental strategy is to protect 30% of Saudi Arabia’s terrestrial and marine habitats, in line with Vision 2030, a blueprint for shaping the Kingdom’s future.

Today, the property is home to 19% of the global Arabian oryx population, making it the only site where self-sustaining, free-ranging herds live in their native desert habitat.

Other species which have been reintroduced into the area include the Arabian sand gazelle, the Arabian mountain gazelle, the Arabian ostrich and the Nubian ibex, as well as rare carnivores such as the sand cat and the striped hyena.

They have developed two eco-trails to promote environmental education and sustainable tourism. These trails offer opportunities to observe the Arabian oryx and other native species in their natural desert environment.