The initiative highlights Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to balance cultural traditions with environmental conservation across large natural landscapes.

Shamal Reserve spans more than 2,000 square kilometers, offering visitors a destination where traditional hunting heritage merges with carefully protected natural surroundings.
Its design supports both cultural appreciation and environmental sustainability, making it a model for managed eco-tourism in the Kingdom.

The reserve offers visitors hospitality services tailored to enhance their nature-based experience while ensuring the ecological integrity of the area remains undisturbed.

Guests are welcomed into organized facilities and guided activities that reflect the region’s history and natural diversity.

A new eco-lodge concept introduced this year expands accommodation options to suit groups with varying needs.

Camps include sleeping tents, dining areas, Bedouin-style tents, and open outdoor spaces that create an immersive cultural setting for guests.

Specialized environmental and hunting guides accompany visitors as part of the reserve’s managed approach to sustainable tourism.
Their role includes educating guests on wildlife behavior, conservation practices, and safe, regulated hunting methods.

The reserve features notable species associated with traditional hunting, including the houbara bustard, gazelles, and Arabian oryx.
These species are part of the region’s cultural identity, and their management reflects strict ecological guidelines to ensure population stability.

Falcons are used in hunting the houbara bustard, preserving a longstanding Arabian tradition that requires skill and environmental awareness.

Gazelles may be hunted using saluki dogs or firearms under regulated conditions, while Arabian oryx hunting follows controlled firearm-based procedures.

All hunting activities inside the reserve operate within a framework designed to prioritize ecological protection and long-term wildlife preservation.

Regulations are enforced consistently to ensure that cultural practices do not compromise sustainability.

The development authority describes Shamal Reserve as an advanced model for integrating natural environments with heritage-focused tourism.

Its services, professional teams, and structured guidelines aim to create a balanced approach between enjoyment and conservation.

The reserve’s activities reflect broader goals within Saudi Arabia to enhance nature-based tourism and showcase environmentally responsible practices.

Such initiatives contribute to national efforts to diversify tourism offerings and promote sustainable outdoor experiences.

Conservation remains a core principle of the reserve’s operations, with continuous assessments to monitor species health and habitat conditions.

Visitor activities are carefully managed to minimize ecological disruption while maximizing educational value.

The reserve also helps raise public awareness about the importance of biodiversity protection and the responsible use of natural resources.

Guests are encouraged to understand the significance of maintaining ecological balance within desert and wildlife habitats.

Through its modern infrastructure and commitment to sustainability, Shamal Reserve has become a leading example of how eco-tourism can align with cultural heritage.

Its participation in the Winter at Darb Zubaida season carries both recreational and educational importance for local and international visitors.

Officials note that sustainable hunting practices contribute to stronger conservation systems when paired with scientific management and regulated access.

This model allows traditions to continue while ensuring species preservation remains a top priority.

As eco-tourism expands across Saudi Arabia, destinations like Shamal Reserve demonstrate the country’s growing focus on nature-friendly tourism experiences.

Its approach is expected to inspire similar initiatives across other protected areas, supporting the Kingdom’s broader environmental and tourism vision.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the regulations are informed by the latest research, international best practices, and lessons from previous hunting seasons, ensuring a modern, science-driven approach to wildlife management. Only species officially listed on the center’s website and the Fitri platform may be hunted, while endangered species remain fully protected.

Licensed hunters and falconers, registered with the Saudi Falcons Club, are required to obtain permits through the Fitri platform, reinforcing a structured, responsible approach to hunting. The rules also safeguard sensitive areas, prohibiting hunting in urban regions, residential neighborhoods, farms, military or industrial zones, and mega projects such as Neom, Qiddiya, and The Red Sea Project. Coastal regions are similarly protected, with hunting banned up to 20 kilometers inland.

Sustainable hunting methods are encouraged, with prohibited practices including shotguns, nets, electronic lures, and any techniques that capture multiple birds at once. Violators face legal action enforced by the Ministry of Interior’s Special Forces for Environmental Security in close coordination with the National Center for Wildlife.

Mohammed Qurban, CEO of the center, highlighted the progress of Saudi Arabia’s regulated hunting program: “Since its introduction in 2021, the Kingdom has continuously refined its hunting system, promoting sustainability and raising awareness among hunters. This demonstrates a growing national commitment to protecting natural resources and supporting ecological balance.”

Saudi Arabia’s efforts have gained international recognition. The center was recently awarded the Migratory Species Champion Award, highlighting the Kingdom’s leadership in combating illegal hunting and trade of migratory species across Southwest Asia.

“These achievements underscore Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role in global conservation efforts,” Qurban added. “By regulating hunting and encouraging responsible practices, we are protecting wildlife while enabling sustainable enjoyment of traditional activities.”

The initiative forms part of the Kingdom’s broader environmental vision under Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative, which aim to combine economic growth with ecological stewardship. Through these efforts, Saudi Arabia is not only preserving its natural heritage but also positioning itself as a global model for sustainable wildlife management and conservation.