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facilities but written permission is necessary to access them.
HARRAT AL HARRAH PROTECTED AREA Covering an area of 13,775 square kilometres of exposed sedimentary rock, the Harrat Al Harrah Protected Area is largely basaltic deposits, the remains of old lava flows. Though a part of the desert, periodic heavy rain showers cause this area and its surroundings to burst into a lush green blanket of wildflowers and plants. It simply abounds in wildlife: while small
1 Desert mountains behind Jeddah 2 Asir National Park
desert animals such as rabbits, lizards and a variety of birds can be expected, wolves and hyenas, gazelles and jackals are also known to appear, taking advantage of the food supplies. The Houbara bustard can be seen here, as can others that have been traditionally hunted for food by the Bedouins, such as the stone curlew and desert hare.
AL HASA LAGOONS An overflow of the Al Hasa oasis in the Eastern Province created these lagoons, which are the only bodies of fresh water in the area.
A stream courses through an
unlikely setting of sand dunes, salt pans and wind-formed sand fields before forming a series of interconnected pools, the larger of which harbours a variety of migratory birds. Bird-Life International, an association of conservation bodies, lists this as an “important bird area”. A wide range of aquatic animals
such as frogs, turtles and oasis fish make up a lively ecosystem that thrives here, yet is being increasingly disturbed by hunting during weekends.
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