Why Saudi Arabia is the Top Birding Destination in the Middle East

For decades, birders seeking the Arabian Peninsula’s unique avifauna have had to navigate shifting travel realities. Before 2011 and the start of the Arab Spring, Yemen was the go-to destination if you wanted to see all of the Arabian endemics, including Yemen Accentor, which has since been downgraded to a subspecies of Radde’s Accentor. From 2011 to 2019, Oman was the only option, despite hosting only seven of the sixteen currently recognized species (see Clements 2024 & IOC 15.1) only found on the Arabian Peninsula. During that time, Saudi Arabia had remained off-limits to general birding tourism as you could only enter the country if you were a religious pilgrim or had a work visa.

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Since opening its doors to international tourism in 2019, Saudi Arabia has now become the only place on the Arabian Peninsula where it’s possible to see all of the Arabian endemics. Beyond just the endemics, like Philby’s Partridge, Asir Magpie, Arabian Grosbeak, and Yemen Serin, Saudi offers birding opportunities unparalleled in the Middle East, particularly for hardcore listers.

Here are seven reasons you should make Saudi your top birding destination in the Middle East.

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One! The Full Suite of Arabian Endemics — All in One Country

While in Oman, you can expect Arabian Partridge, Arabian Eagle-Owl, Arabian Scops-Owl, Arabian Wheatear, Arabian Sunbird, Arabian Grosbeak, and Yemen Serin, in Saudi Arabia you can see all of those plus Philby’s Partridge, Asir Magpie (Saudi’s sole country endemic), Arabian Woodpecker, Yemen Thrush, Buff-breasted Wheatear, Yemen Warbler, Olive-rumped Serin, Arabian Waxbill, and Yemen Linnet.

Saudi is also the easiest place in the world to find regional specialties and near-endemics such as White-eyed Gull, Arabian Lark, Rufous-capped Lark, and Arabian Golden Sparrow. Add to that many striking Afrotropical species—several representing distinct Arabian subspecies—and more localized Western Palearctic species that may be trickier to find elsewhere, like Asian Desert Warbler, Sinai Rosefinch, and Syrian Serin, and you can begin to appreciate all that Saudi has to offer.

Arabian Lark (Eremalauda eremodites) has been seen six out of the last seven Saudi Birding tours. While there have been the odd reports from Oman over the years, none have produced a single photo let alone walkaway views like these.

Two! Perfect Gateway to Arabian Birding and Beyond

For your first birding trip to the Middle East, Saudi makes the most sense—you might just see all the endemics during a single visit. Should you miss out on one of the more challenging endemics, like Arabian Eagle-Owl or Arabian Grosbeak, you might then opt for a visit to southern Oman later (Mind you the latter isn’t even guaranteed there!). Dip on Philby’s Partridge in Saudi, however, and you’d be looking at a return visit or waiting for Yemen to reopen—likely a very long way off. That’s why you should consider joining a Saudi Birding tour—we have a solid track record finding even the most challenging endemics and near-endemics. Bird smarter, not harder!

Arabian Grosbeak has proven fairly reliable in Oman, but that's not saying much—I only saw my first on my second visit in 2017. In Saudi, however, its haunts around Al Khairah Forest Park in Al Bahah continue to produce stellar encounters, like this male from our April 2025 tour.

Three! Diverse Habitats — Not Just Desert!

Forget the image of Saudi Arabia as an endless sea of sand. Visiting birders can explore the dramatic mountains and canyons of the northwest, southwest, and central regions of the Kingdom, the mist-shrouded juniper and acacia woodlands of the Sarawat Range, species-rich wetlands and mangroves from coast to coast, vast tracts of plantation and agricultural land, as well as offshore islands teeming with seabirds and marine life. This habitat diversity supports an incredible range of flora and fauna, some of which are not found anywhere else in the world, making Saudi one of the most biodiverse destinations in the Middle East.

Some of our regular birding stops are simply too breathtaking for a single photo to capture. Hard to believe this is Saudi Arabia, isn’t it?

Four! Unmatched Cultural Encounters and Local Connections

Saudi Birding’s large network of friends and partners throughout the Kingdom ensures genuine, meaningful encounters with Saudis from all walks of life—something much harder to find these days in neighboring countries like Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, or Oman. These authentic connections will add depth to your journey, offering insights into the country's cultural life that other bird tour companies would be hard pressed to provide.

Abu Ibrahim is not only our go-to boat captain for seabird tours around the Farasan Islands; he's also become a dear friend of Saudi Birding!

For those joining our tours to Northwest Saudi, the cultural immersion will go even deeper, with visits to some of the Kingdom’s most spectacular archaeological and heritage sites—including the UNESCO-listed Nabataean ruins at Hegra, the ancient rock art panels of Wadi Disah and Shara'an Nature Preserve, and the historic trading posts, such as along the ancient Frankincense Trail, that reveal Saudi’s rich and complex history.

While Saudi Arabia may not boast the same ancient riches as Egypt or Jordan, it does offer some of the Arabian Peninsula’s most remarkable archaeological and cultural heritage sites—minus the hordes of tourists. At Thee Ain Village in Al Bahah, history, architecture, and unspoiled scenery combine for an experience you’ll have almost entirely to yourself.

Five! Flexible Tour Pairings for Even More Targets

We run two Arabian Endemics tours each year, which can be paired with one of our other exciting tour options depending on other species you'd like to see or places you'd like to visit. Our spring tour (early April), which includes a visit to the deserts of the Central Region as well as eight days in Saudi’s endemic-rich Southwest, can be paired with our eight-day Socotra tour for the addition of at least 10 more endemic species from the wider region. Our fall tour (late October), which follows the same itinerary as the spring tour, can be paired with our eight-day Northwest Saudi tour for the addition of regional specialties and sought-after Western Palearctic species like See-see Partridge, Desert Owl, Pallid Scops-Owl, Arabian Lark, Arabian Sunbird, Asian Desert Warbler, Sinai Rosefinch, Olive-rumped Serin, and Syrian Serin.

Six! Easy, Accessible, and Well-Connected

With a quick, straightforward eVisa process, Saudi Arabia has become one of the most accessible destinations in the Middle East for birding, wildlife tours, and ecotourism. The country’s modern domestic transportation network makes getting around remarkably easy. Frequent, competitively priced domestic flights link all major cities and regional hubs, while new and expanding train routes connect key destinations, including high-speed rail between Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah. Well-maintained highways and growing tourism infrastructure further streamline travel, ensuring that you can comfortably move between the Kingdom’s diverse birding regions without logistical headaches. Whether you’re heading from the wetlands of the Eastern Region to the archaeological riches of the northwest or the vast deserts of the Central Region to the Kingdom's southwest highlands, Saudi’s connectivity makes it easier than ever to experience its full range of habitats and species.

Saudia aircraft lined up at a terminal, ready to connect travelers across Saudi Arabia and beyond. As the Kingdom’s leading domestic carrier—one of three operating in the country—Saudia offers seamless connections for both international flights and domestic travel between major cities and birding hotspots.

Seven! Safe, Welcoming, and Unforgettable

Saudi Arabia is one of the safest and most welcoming countries in the Middle East. Unlike in other countries in the region, you don’t have to worry about petty crime or harassment in the Kingdom—visitors are treated as honored guests wherever they go. Saudis are genuinely thrilled to meet travelers from around the world and to share what makes their country so special, from its unique wildlife and landscapes to its rich cultural heritage. The result is a travel experience that’s as warm and memorable as it is extraordinary for birding and wildlife viewing.

Nader Fahad and Ahmed Ali—two cherished friends of Saudi Birding—embody the warmth and hospitality that make every visit to their home region of Al Jawf unforgettable.

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Plan Your Arabian Birding Adventure Now!

Whether you’re drawn by Saudi Arabia’s world-class birding, its cultural richness, or its breathtaking landscapes, there has never been a better time to visit. Saudi Birding offers expert-guided tours, private expeditions, and custom itineraries tailored to your interests—covering birding hotspots throughout the country’s thirteen regions as well as its many archaeological and cultural gems.

Explore our upcoming Saudi Arabia bird tours or get in touch to start planning your custom wildlife adventure.