If you dream of a desert adventure in the heart of Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom has multiple safari tourism sites and offers a unique and exciting experience for adventurers. The country's vast deserts provide the perfect atmosphere to explore the magnificent dunes and immerse yourself in the traditional lifestyle of the Bedouins.

The Desert safari experience is something not to be missed. With serene scenery, numerous activities, and the perfect night experience, a desert safari in Saudi Arabia is the best thing that travelers can enjoy to get a taste of adventure.

Planning a desert adventure in the heart of Saudi Arabia? Here is your complete guide to desert adventures and safaris in Saudi Arabia.

Best time for Desert Safari in KSA

The best time for desert safaris in Saudi Arabia is during the winter, i.e. from November to February. During this period, the temperatures are more moderate compared to the summer, when temperatures can be extremely high. The weather is pleasant and suitable for outdoor activities such as desert safaris, camping, camel riding, and dune bashing.

Best Desert Safari Destinations in Saudi Arabia

One of the best and most enjoyable tourist activities in Saudi Arabia is the safari in its enchanting desert, where you can enjoy many activities. The following are the most important tourist destinations for desert adventure lovers.

AlUla Desert: Distinctive Archaeological and Heritage Sites

This historic city is home to the famous archaeological site of Madain Saleh (Al-Hijr), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can explore ancient tombs and rock formations while taking in the beauty of the surrounding desert. Wadi Ad-Dawasir is also one of the most prominent natural landmarks in the AlUla region, featuring stunning views, huge trees, and beautiful birds. It offers great opportunities for hiking and camping and enjoys water activities such as swimming and boating.

This city hosts the most amazing fun activities for visitors and is suitable for anyone looking for an unparalleled vacation and adventures such as:

• Abseiling is an adventure for mountaineering, high-altitude enthusiasts, and thrilling sports enthusiasts, as the experience allows you to enjoy descending from high mountain peaks using ropes designed for climbing. 
• AlUla Ladder is an adventure that many people are looking to try and enjoy, as it allows lovers of high places to climb mountains and walk on a ladder that is tens of meters above the ground. This experience is one of the most difficult and frightening adventures and requires a strong heart that can bear the heights.
• A tour of the Sharaan Nature Reserve is a unique trip and one of the best recreational activities as it allows you to visit natural places and see the charming terrain in AlUla.

Edge of the World: Where Heaven Meets Earth

The Edge of the World (Fihrayn Mountains) is located northwest of Riyadh and is an ideal destination for mountain climbing and hiking enthusiasts. At the end of the Tuwaiq Mountains, which extend for about 800 km, there is a towering viewpoint called the Edge of the World, at an altitude of 1131 m. 

From its lofty peaks, you can enjoy the view of the desert environment and learn about its characteristics, which are evident in the slopes of the Tuwaiq Mountains with their dry, soil-free mountainous surface, while you notice the tamarisk and acacia trees spread over the valley floor. While you are wandering, you may find some shells and fossilized marine life scattered here and there, which means that the area included a sea surface in a period.

Winter is a special treat at the edge of the world, where beautiful natural elements combine with cold weather and rainy weather.

Empty Quarter: A magical sea of ​​dunes

The Rub' al Khali (The Empty Quarter) desert is one of the largest deserts in the world, with an area of ​​650 thousand square kilometers. The Rub' al Khali desert is located in 4 Arab countries: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the Sultanate of Oman, and the Republic of Yemen. The largest part of the Rub' al Khali desert is located in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

The Rub' al Khali desert is one of the most important tourist attractions that tourists and locals visit to get to know the features of the desert. Several activities and adventures can be done, such as:

• Empty Quarter Trips The desert contains many dunes where you can enjoy safari and tour in four-wheel drive vehicles. 
• Camping While camping in the Rub Al Khali desert, you can enjoy the aspects of desert life and learn about the customs and traditions of the tribes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Sandboarding The sight of towering dunes may make you want to go sandboarding, one of the most popular activities you can do in the desert.
• Dune Bashing You can enjoy the stunning scenery of the desert and have an adrenaline-filled adventure driving at different speeds over the dunes.
• Quad biking You can ride through the dunes on quad bikes.
• Camel and Horse Riding Camel and horse riding should not be missed when taking safari trips in the Rub Al Khali desert.

The Great Nefud Desert: Sands of History 

The breathtaking beauty of the Nafud Desert, the second largest desert in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world to enjoy the many Arab tales, legends, and authentic Arab magic, as well as adventure tourists in the desert among many picturesque sites.

The best time to visit the Nafud Desert is in the spring as the temperature remains moderate during the season, and the locals organize the Desert Festival during this time of the year.

Tips before planning desert trips 

Saudi Arabia is an ideal destination for desert trips or safaris in your car with your loved ones to have an adventure that will not be easily erased from your memory, but before you embark on the adventure, it is important to be prepared for the trip and adhere to some necessary tips to ensure safety and enjoy the trip in the embrace of the picturesque desert nature.

1- Sharing desert trips with family and friends 

It is necessary to go on these trips with friends and not to embark on the fun adventure alone, as you may be exposed to many risks, in addition to the fun that the presence of friends and family adds.

2- Determine your travel route 

It is essential to clearly define the route of the trip and make a clear plan of the roads you will take. Plan your route according to the places you will spend the night and the main landmarks you want to visit.

3- Choosing the most suitable car for the trip

The car for safari trips, land trips, and adventures in natural destinations in Saudi Arabia is one of the most important elements that must be chosen carefully, so you must choose the car that is most suitable for the conditions of your trip and the nature of the roads you will be driving on. 

In Saudi Arabia, you will find many car rental companies such as Al Yahma Car Rental, where you can easily choose your car. If off-road driving is one of your hobbies, we advise you to rent a four-wheel drive car.

4- Check the car before driving

To enjoy a comfortable trip, you will need a car in top condition, making sure the battery, brakes, lights, and engine are in excellent condition, and checking the oil and tire pressure.

5- Plan the trip carefully

Careful planning of all the details of the trip, starting from the destinations and places you will visit and ending with the roads and paths you will take.

6- Indispensable luggage for the trip

Always remember the advice that if you pack less, you will have more room to carry souvenirs and gifts. Pack a bag that contains the most important supplies such as a tent, wet wipes, face masks, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, a first aid kit, a thermal bag for water and snacks, and a charger for your mobile phones. 

7- Dream some money with you

There are many small places and kiosks that you may come across on your trip that may not accept credit cards so you should keep a fair amount of cash.

8- Ask the people of the country

Saudis are known for their friendly and welcoming manner, so don’t hesitate to talk to them and stop by during your trip and benefit from the locals’ experiences about the best destinations and places you can visit during your trip.

If you want to discover amazing landscapes or try the most delicious local cuisine in a good restaurant, do not hesitate to ask the locals.

9- Preparing for weather conditions

You may encounter unexpected weather conditions and it is important to be aware of how to deal with them. You may need to change your plans and postpone the trip if the weather conditions are bad and make sure to wear appropriate clothing for the changing weather. 

Cars suitable for desert trips

Taking a car trip in the desert and facing its sands is one of the most exciting activities, as is climbing rough roads in the mountains or walking on the desert dunes. Therefore, the car must be equipped to face these types of adventures and terrains.

Criteria that make a car suitable for desert trips:

• Spaciousness A comfortable car should provide plenty of room for passengers and luggage within a generous footprint. 
• Comfortable Seats The seats in the car should be comfortable with cushioning and adjustability.
• Smooth Ride You should enjoy a smooth, quiet ride, with minimal road and engine noise. This can be achieved with advanced suspension systems and sound-deadening materials.
• Advanced Technology A comfortable car should offer advanced technology features that enhance the driving experience and keep passengers entertained. This includes features such as a high-quality sound system, smart connectivity, and advanced driver assistance systems.
• The comfortable interior design of the car has an ergonomic design that makes it easy for the driver to reach and use all controls. This includes features such as adjustable steering wheels, easy-to-read gauges, and infotainment systems.

Rent a car for desert trips in Saudi Arabia 

If you want to rent a car in Saudi Arabia, there are conditions and tips that you must follow to ensure that you get the best possible experience, the most important of which are:

1. You must have a valid local or international driving license.
2. Look for a reputable car rental company with good reviews and a good reputation.
3. Don't forget to read the car rental terms and conditions to make sure it suits your requirements.
4. Downloading the car rental Yahma application ensures that you follow their exclusive offers and get the car at the best price.
5.  It is preferable to get a car that includes insurance, maintenance, and inspections.
6. Make sure you receive a car that matches the specifications mentioned and agreed upon when booking it.
7. Choose a company that allows your family members to use the car, which will be especially useful during long trips.
8.  Check if the car is supported by a service such as mobile maintenance offered by car rental agencies. 
9. If you rent cars frequently, make sure the company you deal with offers you specials, discounts, and memberships.
10. Deal with a rental company that has a modern, diverse fleet of cars.

Residents of Saudi Arabia are required to bring their license and ID, but visitors must also show their passports when renting a car. Rental rules for foreign visitors may change, so it is advisable to ask the company what documents you need if you plan to drive in shifts. Make sure your insurance policy covers multiple drivers. 

Rent your car today from Yahma Car Rental

Let's be honest with you, all rental offices and their different locations are not as easy to reach as you think, but you have to search and investigate to find the best cars for rent at the lowest possible cost, and often you will find that you are required to pay more to cover insurance costs and others to complete the rental procedures quickly. 

You may also have heard that the procedures of the car rental office are often complicated and not easy. But not anymore!

Yahma Car Rental offers you the best services in the field of car rental to guarantee you a car that meets your needs at the lowest cost and in the easiest way possible. You can easily request the car you want to rent through the application to be delivered to your doorstep. The application also enables you to follow up on the rental procedures and receive offers and news in the field of car rental.

With Yahma Car Rental app, you can rent a car wherever you are in the Kingdom in just three steps: Order - Receive - Go!