No trip to Saudi Arabia would be complete without a visit to the sprawling desert of Rub’ Al Khali, which makes up one-fourth of the country’s total area. Imagine a huge stretch of endless horizon marked by softly rolling reddish-orange dunes rising from the ground, some as high as 250 m, and a lingering stillness that draws you in—an experience all too rare in today’s world.
Covering 6,50,000 sq km, the Rub’ Al Khali, which is also known as the Empty Quarter, makes up the southern third of the Arabian Desert, which extends across parts of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman and Yemen. Thus, it is the largest continuous sand desert in the world. The massive sand dunes feature a collection of diverse sands, including:
longitudinal (straight and long, usually separated by other sand or rocky terrain, these dunes occur in parallel sets),
crescent sands (the most common type of dune that is shaped like a crescent and is wider rather than long) and
dome-shaped (low circular-shaped dunes that lack a slip face).
Along the middle length of the Rub’ Al Khali lie several raised, hardened areas of calcium carbonate, gypsum, marl, or clay that were once the site of shallow lakes. These lakes existed from 6,000 to 5,000 years ago and 3,000 to 2,000 years ago. The lakes are thought to have formed as a result of heavy rainfall, similar to present-day monsoon rains, and most probably lasted only a few years.
Evidence suggests that the lakes were home to a variety of flora and fauna. Fossil remains indicate the presence of several animal species, such as hippopotamus, water buffalo and long-horned cattle. The lakes also contained small snails, ostracods (seed shrimp), and when conditions were suitable, freshwater clams. Deposits of calcium carbonate and opal phytoliths indicate the presence of plants and algae.
The Empty Quarter has the same hot desert climate typical of most of the Arabian Desert. Its annual rainfall is less than three cm, with some places not receiving any at all during a given year. Daily temperatures can reach as high as 51 degrees Celsius.
There is fauna in the Rub’ Al Khali, too. Arachnids like scorpions, spiders, and rodents live among drought-tolerant plants and shrubs can be found throughout the desert.
As one of the driest regions in the world, the Rub’ Al Khali is virtually uninhabited and largely unexplored. However, vast reserves of petroleum have been discovered beneath its sandy landscape. Al-Ghawar is the largest oil field in the world and was discovered in 1948 in the northeastern part. Another significant reservoir is Al-Shayba in the southeast near the UAE and Oman.
The inhabitants of the Empty Quarter are members of various local tribes, like the Al Murrah tribe, which is mainly based between Al Ahsa and Najran; the Banu Yam and Banu Hamdan of Yemen and the Najran region of southern Saudi Arabia; and the Bani Yas of the UAE.
The first documented journeys by non-resident explorers were made by British explorers Bertram Thomas and St John Philby in the early 1930s. In June 1950, a US Air Force expedition crossed the Rub’ Al Khali from Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, to central Yemen and back in trucks to collect specimens for the Smithsonian Institution and to test desert survival procedures.
In 1999, Jamie Clarke became the first Westerner to cross the Empty Quarter in 50 years. His team of six people, guided by three Bedouins, spent 40 days crossing the desert with a caravan of 13 camels.
Strap in for an adrenaline-pumping experience as you engage in dune bashing, a thrilling activity where skilled drivers navigate 4×4 vehicles over the sand dunes. The dramatic rises and descents leaves visitors breathless while providing unparalleled views of the desert’s vastness.
For a more traditional desert experience, embark on a camel safari through the Empty Quarter. As you traverse the undulating dunes atop these gentle giants, you’ll feel a profound connection to the ancient Bedouin way of life. The slow pace allows for a deeper appreciation of the desert’s tranquility.
As the sun sets over the Rub’ Al Khali, the desert comes alive with a magical display of colours. With minimal light pollution, the Rub’ Al Khali offers a stellar opportunity for stargazing. As night falls, witness the Milky Way and constellations in their full glory.
The shifting sands and play of light create a photographer’s paradise in the Empty Quarter. Capture the patterns of the sand, the golden hues of sunrise and sunset, and the stark beauty of the desert flora and fauna.
The best time to visit Rub’ Al Khali is during the cooler months from November to March. This is when the weather is most comfortable, with temperatures ranging from 15 degrees Celsius to 25 degrees Celsius.
Take a road trip from Riyadh to the Asir Mountains.
