Go Birding with Saudi Birding
2024 Arabian Endemics Tours
Winter 2024
In addition to a range of Western Palearctic migrants and other winter residents, the following will be our primary targets during the winter tour: See-see Partridge, Chukar, Sociable Lapwing, Pharaoh Eagle-Owl, Desert Owl, Arabian Green Bee-eater, Arabian Lark, Temminck's Lark, Thick-billed Lark, Greater Hoopoe-Lark, Mediterranean Short-toed Lark, Turkestan Short-toed Lark, Asian Desert Warbler, Ruppell's Warbler, Eastern Subalpine Warbler, Arabian Babbler, Finsch's Wheatear, Basalt Wheatear (?), Kurdish Wheatear, Hypocolius, Sinai Rosefinch, Olive-rumped Serin, Syrian Serin
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Check out a more complete list of the regional specialties we may encounter HERE.
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Details in Brief
Dates: February 17 - 23, 2024 (TBC)
Arrive: To Jeddah no later than 3:oo PM or Riyadh no later than 1:00 PM on February 16
Depart: Via Jeddah no earlier than 11:30 PM or Riyadh no earlier than 10:00 PM on February 23
Transport: Economy SUVs or minivan depending on the number of participants and space requirements
Itinerary: Al Jawf (day 1); Al Jawf to Hail (day 2); Hail to Al Ula (day 3); Al Ula (day 4); Al Ula to Tabuk via Wadi Disah (day 5); Jebel Al Lawz region (day 6); Tabuk (day 7)
Climate: The deserts and mountains of the northwest can be fairly chilly in the morning, so layers and light gloves recommended. There can even be snow on top of Jebel Al Lawz. The afternoons will be pleasant with the temperature around 75° F (24° C). There could also be the odd rain shower or two.
Physical demands: There will be light to moderately strenuous walking at most of our birding stops
Participants: Min 3; max 9
Cost: TBD based on group size; single-room supplement applies
Deposit: 30% to reserve your spot
Summer 2024
While there's the potential of racking up a hefty trip list, brimming with lots of really interesting birds, particularly in the Jazan region with its abundance of Afrotropical species, the following will be our primary targets, most of which are endemic or near-endemic to the Arabian Peninsula: Helmeted Guineafowl, Arabian Partridge, Philby's Partridge, White-eyed Gull, Arabian Scops-Owl, Arabian Eagle-Owl, Arabian Green Bee-eater, Arabian Woodpecker, Black-crowned Tchagra, Asir Magpie, Arabian Lark, Rufous-capped Lark, "Mangrove" Reed Warbler, Basra Reed Warbler, Yemen Warbler, "Mangrove" White-eye, Arabian Babbler, Tristram's Starling, Yemen Thrush, Buff-breasted Wheatear, Arabian Wheatear, Arabian Sunbird, Arabian Golden Sparrow, Arabian Waxbill, Arabian Grosbeak, Olive-rumped Serin, Yemen Serin, Yemen Linnet
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Check out a more complete list of the regional specialties we may encounter HERE.
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Details in Brief
Dates: June 14 - 21, 2024 (TOUR FULL)
Arrive: King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh by 3:00 AM the morning of Friday, June 14
Depart: Leave via Riyadh late evening Friday, June 21 or the following morning
Transport: Economy SUVs or minivan depending on the number of participants and space requirements
Itinerary: Riyadh (1 day); Riyadh to Al Bahah (day 2); Al Bahah to Tanomah (day 3); Tanomah to Muhayil (day 4); Muhayil to Jizan (day 5); Jizan (day 6); Jizan to Abha (day 7); Abha to Riyadh (day 8)
Climate: While the coastal plains along the Red Sea coast can be hot and humid with a heat index during the day reaching around 110° F (43° C), the weather in the highlands will be cooler and much more pleasant with the temperature rarely exceeding 86° F (30° C). There will also be the chance of heavy mist and thunderstorms. Expect hot but dry days around in the central region of Riyadh.
Physical demands: There will be light to moderately strenuous walking at most of our birding stops
Participants: Min 3; max 9 (TOUR FULL)
Cost: TBD based on group size; single-room supplement applies
Deposit: 30% to reserve your spot
Late Fall 2024
The timing of this tour offering is such that, on top of our primary endemic, near-endemic, and regional targets, we can also see an interesting and diverse cast of late migrant and wintering species. For those who sign up for both tours, the following will be our primary targets: Helmeted Guineafowl, See-see Partridge (NW), Arabian Partridge, Chukar (NW), Philby's Partridge, Sociable Lapwing (NW), White-eyed Gull, Arabian Scops-Owl, Arabian Eagle-Owl, Desert Owl (NW), Arabian Green Bee-eater, Arabian Woodpecker, Asir Magpie, Arabian Lark (NW), Temminck's Lark (NW), Thick-billed Lark (NW), Rufous-capped Lark, Mediterranean Short-toed Lark (NW), Turkestan Short-toed Lark (NW), Yemen Warbler, Asian Desert Warbler (NW), Ruppell's Warbler (NW), Eastern Subalpine Warbler (NW), "Mangrove" White-eye, Yemen Thrush, Buff-breasted Wheatear, Arabian Wheatear, Finsch's Wheatear (NW), Kurdish Wheatear (NW), Persian Wheatear (NW), Hypocolius (NW), Arabian Sunbird, Arabian Golden Sparrow, Arabian Waxbill, Sinai Rosefinch (NW), Arabian Grosbeak, Olive-rumped Serin, Yemen Serin, Yemen Linnet, Syrian Serin (NW)
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Check out a more complete list of the regional specialties we may encounter HERE.
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Details in Brief
Dates: November 9 - November 22, 2024 (TBC)
Arrive: King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah by 3:00 AM the morning of Saturday, November 9
Depart: Leave via Jeddah late evening Friday, November 22 or the following morning
Transport: Economy SUVs or minivan depending on the number of participants and space requirements
Itinerary:
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Jeddah to Al Bahah (day 1); Al Bahah to Tanomah (day 2); Tanomah to Muhayil (day 3); Muhayil to Jizan (day 4); Jizan (day 5); Jizan to Abha (day 6); Abha to Jeddah (day 7)
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Jeddah to Al Jawf (day 8); Al Jawf (day 9); Al Jawf to Hail (day 10); Hail to Al Ula (day 11); Al Ula (day 12); Al Ula to Tabuk via Wadi Disah (day 13); Jebel Al Lawz via Tabuk (day 14)
Climate: The weather in central region of Riyadh will be quite pleasant with the possibility of rain. The temperature shouldn't exceed 90° F (32° C). It will be cooler in the highlands and desert and mountains of the northwest. Temperatures will be at their warmest along the Red Sea coast.
Physical demands: There will be light to moderately strenuous walking at most of our birding stops
Participants: Min 3; max 9
Cost: TBD based on group size; single-room supplement applies
Deposit: 30% to reserve your spot
Terms and Conditions
What's included: Domestic flights; hotel accommodation in a single room, double room, or shared apartment; ground transportation to and from the airport and the various stops along our birding itinerary; all meals as well as light snacks and drinks throughout the day; tipping for accommodation and restaurant staff; access to the Raidah preserve in Abha; bird guide and driver
What's not included: International airfare and excess baggage costs; travel insurance*; Saudi eVisa; Saudi SIM card with data (recommended)**
* Basic medical insurance is included with the Saudi eVisa. However, I recommend a traveler's policy to cover other unexpected situations, such as cancellations, lost or stolen items, emergency evacuation, personal liability, etc. By completing the booking form below, you accept full responsibility for insuring your trip and personal items and full liability should you choose not to.
** Check with your mobile provider first to see what data roaming they offer
Cancellation: You can obtain a full refund of your deposit, minus any fees based on the original payment method, up to 90 days before the start of the tour; in the event there are insufficient participants to make the tour viable, refunds will be issued no less than 60 days prior, again, minus any fees based on the original payment method.
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For more information, click HERE to contact Saudi Birding. Interested in joining one of the 2024 Arabian Endemics Tours? Complete the booking form below.
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To help you prepare for your visit, please read the following post: "A Thousand Welcomes to Saudi Arabia": Discover the Thrill of Saudi Birding.​
Remote Guiding
In lieu of custom tours, I also offer a consulting service for those visiting on their own for a flat rate. With that, I will draft a customized itinerary, in consultation with you, geared towards maximizing the success of your visit. Your custom itinerary will come replete with GPS coordinates, birding maps, advice on locating tricky species, as well as other site details to ensure safe and productive stops. In addition, I will also help with logistics and planning, including arranging visits to preserves, like Raidah in the Asir Region. Lastly, I will provide ongoing support during your visit via WhatsApp so that you don't miss a single target species, as I did for Andrew Spencer of the Cornell Lab's Macaulay Library and his birding companions during their February 2022 visit. Check out Andrew's testimonial.
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For more information, contact Saudi Birding HERE.
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Your Guide
I have almost thirteen years of experience with the avifauna of the Arabian Peninsula, having birded extensively throughout Saudi Arabia, Oman, the UAE, and Bahrain. I am skilled in identifying Saudi birds by ear as well as sight and, as the regional reviewer for eBird with a network of contacts across the country, will use the most up-to-date information for tracking down our target species. Finally, with my strong grasp of Arabic and knowledge of Saudi culture, I will enrich your experience of this intriguing and often misunderstood country and ensure you have a safe, secure, and enjoyable visit.
What better way to experience Saudi Arabia than with someone who knows the country well, can introduce you to the charms of its culture, and can find its amazing birds?