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Al-Wua'l Reserve

A Rare Wilderness Sanctuary Preserving the Kingdom's Oldest Herds of Mountain Ibex

Riyadh

A nature reserve south of Riyadh embraces the largest wild herd of mountain ibex, serving as a rich habitat for plant and animal biodiversity, and a site for the reintroduction of gazelles.

Al-Wua'l Reserve is located in the Riyadh Region, south of Al-Hareeq Governorate and west of Hawtat Bani Tamim, 180 km south of the capital, Riyadh.

Its area is about 2,369 km² ( or 1,860 km² according to some sources), with a perimeter of approximately 212 km. It forms a rugged plateau cut by valleys and ravines, providing a safe natural environment for the ibex.

The reserve was named for hosting one of the last remaining herds of mountain ibex in the Kingdom whose numbers increased after protection to exceed 400 heads in 2000 CE. Additionally, the Idmi Gazelle successfully reintroduced there since 1990, and its numbers have doubled to over 500 heads.

The reserve also includes other mammals such as the Rock Hyrax (Wabar) and foxes, in addition to several species of rodents and birds like the Sand Partridge (Hajal), as well as various types of reptiles.

From a botanical standpoint, over 263 plant species have been recorded in the reserve, concentrated in the valleys and ravines. These include Acacia (Talh), Samar, Salam, Jujube (Sidr), and Ghada, in addition to shrubs and grasses that flourish after the rains.