In brief
The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve Development Authority announced on Sunday the launch of its “Winter at Darb Zubaida” season, featuring sustainable hunting, a shooting range, palace tours, an ancient caravan route, and a dark‑sky stargazing site. The initiative seeks to transform the reserve into a premier winter destination while promoting ecotourism and cultural preservation.
The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve Development Authority revealed on November 2, 2026 that the reserve will open its first winter season, dubbed “Winter at Darb Zubaida,” offering visitors a blend of adventure, heritage and nature experiences across the reserve’s extensive landscape. The announcement, issued by the Saudi Press Agency, said the season would begin on Sunday and bring a series of tourism programs that combine the region’s natural resources with its deep cultural and historical roots.
At the core of the winter offerings is the North Reserve for Sustainable Hunting, a fully serviced natural setting designed to provide responsible hunting that aligns with conservation goals. The reserve’s management emphasized that this sustainable approach will help maintain wildlife populations while encouraging visitors to engage with the environment in a low‑impact manner. Complementing this is a dedicated shooting range, which the authority described as a recreational option that adds to the diversity of activities available during the cooler months.
Heritage tourism takes center stage with the opening of the King Abdulazik palaces in Laynah and Qibah. The palaces, described by the agency as reflecting the region’s importance across eras, will be accessible to visitors in upcoming events. Testimonies from the introduction highlighted that the palaces provide a tangible link to the area’s royal and cultural past, thereby enriching the overall visitor experience and strengthening the reserve’s cultural narrative.
Supplementing the historic sites is the Darb Zubaida caravan route, which the agency positioned as one of the most renowned ancient pilgrimage and trade paths that once wove through the reserve’s territory. By reopening access to this route, the reserve aims to offer a living history journey that invites tourists to follow in the footsteps of traders and pilgrims who once traversed the harsh desert landscapes.
Perhaps most novel to international visitors is the dark‑sky stargazing site located in the Great Nafud desert, the reserve’s vast and distinctive landscape. The Saudi Press Agency’s report explained that the location allows stargazers to observe celestial bodies away from light pollution, creating an immersive astronomical experience that showcases the night sky’s natural beauty. This attraction underscores the reserve’s commitment to blending scientific curiosity with environmental stewardship.
Overall, the “Winter at Darb Zubaida” season is intended to boost ecotourism, promote sustainable use of natural resources, and position Imam Turki Reserve as a leading winter destination in Saudi Arabia. The initiative reflects a broader national strategy that seeks to diversify tourism while safeguarding ecological and cultural assets for future generations.
